Creating a sisterhood and inspiring confidence is the foundation for why women join Girls Who Code.
In 2019, freshman Jessica Bogart saw a hole in the University of Florida (UF) community for young women in the tech field that were looking for a space where women can come together to relate to one another and learn more about the coding and computer science field. Four years later, the club has doubled in size and in magnitude of community that they have been able to reach across campus.
“Being in Girls Who Code helped me with learning that being in a leadership position doesn’t mean I can’t learn from the other girls around me […] and also the value of being in a group of girls that can relate to what you experience and having that ability to ask for guidance and advice,” said now senior computer science major and Girls Who Code founder Bogart.
Girls Who Code is a national nonprofit organization that partners with grades three to twelve, as well as colleges, to create an environment that supports and educates young women interested in the computer science field. They have over 200 clubs located at colleges across the nation. The organization helps provide resources and technology career-related opportunities for college-aged women and nonbinary people.
What Girls Who Code UF focuses on is providing a safe environment for women to come together and to support them in whichever journey that they choose to go on.
“The organization has helped me improve my soft skills and has prepped me well for the internship search. Having access to other women who have been in my shoes has helped me learn about what to ask for and how to stand out in the interview process,” junior soil and water sciences major and Girls Who Code communications director Tanya Charan said.
The organization hosts technical workshops, socials, fundraisers, general body meetings, mentorship events, networking opportunities and hosts an annual Hackathon.
“Girls Who Code has a way to feel connected to academics, feel confident in your career and have fun in college,” junior computer science major and president Maya Harris said.
Bogart is graduating this spring and plans on furthering her technical career at Capital One in New York City as a software engineer. With Girls Who Code, she was able to build her confidence within the tech world and can’t wait to see what else is in store.
If you are interested in getting involved with the organization, you can stop by a workshop or general body meeting to learn more and ask questions. Follow them on Instagram @girlswhocodeuf as well!