Fox Valley Girls Coding Club was so excited to hold their first web chat in November 2016. With the newly introduced web chats and guest speakers, FVGCC is looking forward to reinforcing topic areas that we will be tackling in our monthly meetings as well as introducing club members to areas within the computing industry that may be of interest to them after high school.
In our first web chat, we spoke with Fiona and Lily, Computer Science majors at DePaul University. Here is some of what they shared with us:
On their computer-related background prior to College:
Lily: In High School, Lily took AP Computer Science and was on the Robotics Team. She also learned Python while in high school.
Fiona: Fiona’s Dad is a professional Software Developer. Fiona learned Scratch at age 12. She started out in a different major at DePaul, but came back to Computer Science
Advice/Shared Experiences with our club members:
- Women going into Computer Science need to stay focused, have a plan, and execute.
- Start networking now! Go to events. Meet other girls/women involved at all levels of Computer Science.
- Computer Science is like a puzzle. Don’t be afraid to try and fail. You can only find success and what types of projects you like by continuing to try.
- Lily started the DePaul chapter of the ACM-W (Association of Computing Machinery for Women – women.acm.org ! Great example that if the community you are looking for does not exist at your high school or college – be brave and create it yourself.
- The gender gap in technology is real. Lily and Fiona want to change the perception that software developers are just nerds with a computer and we at FVGCC can each help with that too. Don’t be afraid to let others know that you are a girl who likes Computer Science!
- They both like working with and encouraging younger girls to use Computer Science for things they enjoy; for example, animal advocacy. Successes come when you can use what you learn in coding to create something you are passionate about.
- Go out of your comfort zone! As the CEO of Girls Who Code, Reshma Saujani, says – “Teach girls bravery, not perfection.”
- “Volunteering for Girls Who Code changed my life.” – Fiona. This volunteering opportunity gave me a deeper understanding of how impacting other girls and serving as a role model, helped me to develop a stronger commitment and connection to what I am studying.
- Take on challenges like the Technovation Challenge
- Apply for the NCWIT Aspirations Awards
Thanks to Fiona and Lily for being such great inspirations to FVGCC. We look forward to continuing to see more of our girls following in their footsteps and entering Computer Science in college!
Fox Valley Girls Coding Club 