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What is Node Buds?

An initiative to build a stronger, more inclusive ACM community
Pairs new members with experienced "Bigs" for mentorship and networking. * Helps members connect, navigate CS resources, and develop leadership skills.
Offers professional workshops, social events, and collaborative activities, creating opportunities for learning, growth, and engagement within ACM.

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Team Leads

Eric Ly

Angel Cervantes

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Meet the Bigs

Ashley Chan

Mark Ryan Garcia

Nate Gries

Matthew Lau

Elena Marquez

Maximiliano Rivas

Patrick Smith

David Solano

Angel Cervantes

Eric Ly

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Program Timeline

Week of 9/22:

Node Buds Meeting: 5 minute presentations
Sticker Challenge (more on that later)
Node Buds Meeting: Second Mixer

Week of 9/29:

Submit Big/Little Pairing Forms
Big/Little Pairs and acceptances released

Week of 10/6 and after:

Social and Technical Events Every Friday until the end of the semester!!
(Some Bigger Saturday Events)

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Upcoming Events

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The 5-Minute Presentation

Mainly the Bigs, but Littles can participate if they want
The 5-Minute Presentation

Create a short presentation on any topic
Present it to everyone during the meeting
The more funny/random/unique, the better!!
**this started as a TikTok challenge :)

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Sticker Challenge

Approach any Bigs that you see around campus
Ask them to give you a challenge

These will be things like “go up to Joel and ask him for a referral from Jane Street” or “dance in front of Pillow”

Once completed, you get a sticker
The person with the most stickers at the end of the week will get a prize! (And a almost guaranteed chance of getting accepted into the program)

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How to Get Accepted

Talk to the Bigs.

We know it can be overwhelming to talk to new people, but our Bigs really want to get to know you!
Everyone in our program is friendly! Don’t be scared of us. We just want to help you

Talk to other Littles.

You will likely have a twin or triplets when you get picked up.
We want to create long lasting friendships not just with Bigs, but between Littles

Attend Most or All of Node Buds Events

We want to see you engaged in the program.

Attend Other ACM Workshops

All Bigs will be at ACM Events. Show up to whichever ones interest you, and maybe you’ll be able to talk to your future big there

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Speed Friending

2-3 littles to 1 big
Each person answers the following points:

Name
Year and major
Random fact about you (favorite hobby, random story, etc.)
What you want to do once you graduate
Try to find something everyone in the group has in common
Hot takes ?!?

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Four Corners

Go to whichever corner relates to you the most!

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Closing Thoughts

Feel free to exchange Discord/Instagram with people you’ve met today :)
Come to next week’s events!
We will keep you all updated if there are any new events that come up

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Monday

Game Dev (biweekly)

Time: 7-8pm
Location: MH-491

Tuesday

Dev

Time: 3-4pm
Location: LH-306

Time: 4:30-5:30pm
Location: MH-657

Algo

Time: 7-8pm
Location: MH-504

Wednesday

Design

Time: 4-5pm
Location: MH-617

Thursday

OSS

Time: 4-5pm
Location: CS-300

Advanced Algo (biweekly)

Time: 7-8pm
Location: GH-319

Friday

Node Buds

Time: 3-4pm
Location: LH-404

Dev

Time: 4-5pm
Location: LH-404

General

Time: 5-6pm
Location: LH-404