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Hackathons: The Ultimate Extracurricular for CS Majors
January 24, 2026 • 6 min read
If you are a Computer Science major (CS), you know the drill: Learn Python, study algorithms, get good grades.
But in the tech world, grades are secondary. Google, Meta, and startups care about one thing: "Can you build stuff?"
A transcript that says "A in CS 50 (C Programming)" shows you know the syntax. A GitHub link to a project shows you can solve problems. The fastest way to build that portfolio—while networking with recruiters and eating free pizza—is the Hackathon.
📌 Hackathon Ecosystem
- Major League Hacking (MLH)
The official league. Look for events labeled "West Coast" or "Digital." - UCLA ACM (Association for Computing Machinery)
They organize LA Hacks. Join their newsletter even if you are at SMC. - SMC CSIS Department
Check for the "SMC Programming Club" or "SMC Codes."
1. What is a Hackathon? (It's not "hacking")
You aren't breaking into the Pentagon. A hackathon is an "Invention Marathon."
The Format:
You show up on a Friday night (or Saturday morning).
You form a team of 3-4 people.
You have 24 to 36 hours to build something from scratch. An app, a website, a game, a bot.
On Sunday, you demo it to judges.
The Cost: Usually $0. It is funded by sponsors (like Microsoft, Google, Twilio) who want to recruit you. They provide free food, swag (t-shirts, stickers), and sometimes even travel reimbursement (gas money).
2. "But I'm just a beginner..."
This is the #1 reason SMC students don't go. "I haven't taken CS 20B (Data Structures) yet, I'm not ready."
Go Anyway.
- Beginner Tracks: Most hackathons have prizes specifically for "Best First Hack" or "Best Use of No-Code."
- Workshops: They run workshops during the event like "Intro to React" or "Intro to Firebase." You learn more in one weekend than in a month of lectures.
- Mentors: Industry engineers walk around wearing "Mentor" shirts specifically to help you fix your bugs.
3. Local Events to Target
As an LA-based student, you have access to some of the biggest events in the world:
LA Hacks (UCLA)
Usually in the Spring at Pauley Pavilion. Massive. Thousands of students. Competitive entry, but they reserve spots for community colleges.
HackSC (USC)
Held at USC. Known for having amazing food and focusing on polished products.
Hacktech (Caltech)
Smaller, more intense. Good if you are into hardware or deep tech.
4. What to Build (Keep it Simple)
Don't try to build the next Facebook. Build something funny or useless.
- A website that tells you if it's raining (but only in Santa Monica).
- A Discord bot that insults you when you play video games too long.
- A data visualizer for your Spotify listening habits.
The goal is to finish. A finished, working bad idea is better than a half-finished good idea.
5. Devpost is Your New Resume
At the end of the hackathon, you submit your project to Devpost. This is a public portfolio.
When you apply to transfer to UC Berkeley EECS, they ask for "experience." You can link your Devpost profile which shows:
"Winner, Best UI/UX at LA Hacks 2025."
That single line validates your skills more than an "A" in CS 3 (Intro to Computer Systems) ever could.
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