An outside of school experience that impacted me deeply was my time at the Girls Who Code program. This program was created to introduce girls to computer science by doing multiple projects that include the coding languages of python, c++ and javascript and also learning how to use html and css. The classes were all day with a group of 19 other girls in the class, over the summer after my junior year of high school.
Not only was this program able to open my eyes to the possibilities of computer science and helped me decide that I wanted to study computer science and animation in college, this program also helped me with my confidence overall. Being able to work with these other girls in such a supportive environment as a big impact on the success of my learning process. We were able to focus on learning and completing the project instead of preparing for a test or memorization, which I found to be a better method for preparing me for the world than some experiences in school. When we had mistakes, we were able to work on them together in a shame free environment because we all understood that this process is hard and we help each other.
Our comradery helped me in my security and peace of mind that it isn’t horrible if I fail or completely don’t get a lesson sometimes, because I know that I can accept that not every project that I work on will be a masterpiece. It is very important to me that I understand that every piece of work that could have been better, can help me create something better in the next opportunity. My comfort level has increased now that I can use my failures instead of just dwelling on them and being discouraged by them. My concept of what is possible for me in this field of work, and any kind of challenge that I get into, has changed because these program assured me that I am stronger, mentally and emotionally than I had previously thought. I am very thankful that I had the chance to work with these amazing teachers and classmates who taught me things that went beyond the lessons on coding.
