/dev/world 2026
27-28 AUGUST • NAARM | MELBOURNE
Judit Klein
Do You Know the Way Out of San Jose? The journey through big tech and back again
What does it take not just to break into Silicon Valley, but to survive its pressures, curveballs, and quirks—and know when to leave before it breaks you? Drawing from a 10-year stint navigating the San Francisco Bay Area tech landscape, Judit will explore the realities of chasing big dreams: from visa hurdles and tech interview torture chambers, to losing and finding your identity inside a giant corporation. But this isn't just a tech story. Even if you don’t have Silicon Valley aspirations, Judit offers a roadmap for charting non-traditional career paths, adapting when the industry shifts, and recognising when it’s time to redefine success. You will walk away with practical insights on how to make waves as a small fish and, ultimately, how to scale your own mountains on your own terms.
About the presenter
Judit is a Kiwi recently returned to New Zealand after living in Silicon Valley for 10 years. She first attended /dev/world in 2010 having written little more than her first Hello World app. She’s worked in education technology, iOS development, and after a 7 year stint at Apple is now in search of what comes next.
