Have you ever considered creating technology or working with code? According to a recent Google Official Blog post, not many high schools girls are thinking about it. The post also explains that only about 1% of high school girls plan to go on to Major in computer science at college or university. While I was surprised (disappointed, really) by that low number, I was surprised (in a good way) to learn about the Made with Code initiative to encourage coding for girls. It’s projects like this one that can have an amazing impact for the future.
What is Made with Code?
This campaign is one that aims to increase girls’ interest in computer science. That goal involves learning code and more. So, it’s more than simply playing with smartphones and browsing the web; it’s about generating genuine curiosity in technology.
Made with Code is a Google initiative that happens in partnership with Chelsea Clinton , Mindy Kaling, the National Center for Women & Information Technology, TechCrunch and other notable organizations. Female coders are a-coming, if this initiative has its way! And more powerful leaders who are women too.
Coding for Girls: How to Encourage Them
Made with Code has several projects within it that are designed to encourage more girls to focus on coding. For example, Made with Code will collaborate with Girl Scouts of the USA and other agencies to bring coding information to girls in those networks, to begin them hopefully on a journey of coding for girls. For example, girls can start to imagine and code a 3D bracelet!
Also, a whopping $50 million will go toward funding programs that encourage the efforts. In the Google post, an example given is rewarding a teacher for supporting a girl in entering computer science.
How This All affects the Next Generation of Women
The implications of this campaign are, well, limitless.
Let’s consider what happens, for example, if that 1% of high school girls who have an interest in computer science rises to 10 percent. Or even higher! It would mean more computer science graduates and more female coders in the future. It would be my hope that by raising the numbers of women coding to make it more on par with men that they could one day be treated as equals in the tech workspace.
Also, my dream would be then to see those women teaching a new generation of girls about the coding possibilities. That could open up more career choices for girls than ever before.
Other Coding for Girls Initiatives
Aside from Made with Code, there are other coding initiatives for females going on around the world. One example is Women Who Code, which sets its sights set on inspiring women to get into the field of technolog. There are 14 countries taking part, with a 2019 goal to get one million women in tech.
There is also the Indiegogo campaign to create a television show that encourages careers in software and coding for girls. The TV show titled Ella the Engineer would be a cartoon series. Any monetary donations for this particular campaign go toward creating the pilot episode.
On Made with Code and the Next Generation
With so much support apparent for female coders, it’s hopeful that the numbers will rise in the future. That would mean that the next generation of women hold a bigger share of tech careers than before, hopefully making us one more step closer to gender equality. It could also mean saying a big “see you later” to gender stereotypes in technology jobs.
Have you ever considered pursuing a career in computer science?
nice
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HI Christy, I started in technology years ago as a typist at 85 wpm out of high school and became a keypunch operator – it became known as data entry later. Then I became a computer operator when “they just didn’t makes keypunch operators computer operators” because I was willing to put the work in, and volunteer when needed – but they were family so it was really easy. But I really wanted to code so I found. Company that would pay for college courses if you gift an A – they paid less if your grade wasn’t a A. After that I was able to get a job in NYC and had a wonderful career. I highly recommend it for all females. It’s hard work, lots of hours but very rewarding!!
Awesome of you to share your experience with coding as a woman, Joan! I love that this older post got a new comment today. And the bonus is it’s from YOU :D
This is something my daughter will think about as she enjoyed her introduction at school to coding :)
Great to hear! Perhaps the program or a similar one will be able to help her along in the field.
I agree we have to get rid of this notion that women are not good with math and science. It still prevails in many fields.
Thanks for the support!!
Very inspiring post Christy.With love maxima
Thank-you, Maxima!
Very inspiring post Christy. When I entered the self publishing world and starting my own website, I only began to even hear about code. I have to admit it still flusters me but am happy that I can (mostly) navigate my own site, albeit I still have my author friend who puts in the gobbledeegook code when I haven’t a clue. :)
Hi D.G., that’s great that you have a friend who can help you with coding. Yes, it’s not easy! I admire anyone who is fluent in the language. I thank you for stopping by and for the encouragement :)
Always happy to visit. :)
((Smiles!))
I love the “commentluv” plugin I have on my site b/c it led me here! OMGosh I love this! Chelsea Clinton? Awesome!
I’ve been thinking about learning some code myself, so I have more control over my website. :)
Thank you for sharing this!
Cyndi, that’s awesome you’re thinking about coding for your site! You never cease to amaze me :)
Awesome Christy! I’m an old coding dinosaura from the 80’s – 90’s, and at that time I worked in an IT services agency for the U.S. Dept of Defense. More than 50% of the programmers were women, and lol, we rocked! Women have better brains for organizing and utilizing logic, so we have innate talents that make us well suited for technology jobs, in particular coding.
Schools need to adopt a better curriculum to make coding seem like something other than “math” – maybe if we called it “organizing the makeup drawer” it would have more femme-appeal! Thanks so much for sharing this, I love this topic! ♥♥♥ ;^)
Aisha Oasis, thanks so much for the great comment! Yes, coding has be perhaps given a new spotlight that makes it more interesting and the females need to understand it’s okay to go in new directions :) Your support means a lot to me because you have been in the coding industry – thank-you!!
♥♥♥ ;^)))
Smiles!!! :)
Women should be encouraged to pursue a career in computer science if that is where their interest lies.
That’s so true, and I hope these types of initiatives DO encourage females :)
This is a cool initiative and It doesn’ t surprise me that Google thought of this as they are often open to new ideas and talents…
They have a sort of geeky center in Palo Alto which proyects are unstoppable. A great Workplace atmosphere too…
The best is about to come, I guess..
Thanks for sharing Christy.
I hope you have a marvelous weekend,
Aquileana :D
Thanks for sharing about Palo Alto, Aqui. Yes, having a powerhouse like Google at the helm of the project certainly gives it strength! Great to see you here – you are awesome!!
:D
Talking about awesome gals… Hi there !
Aquileana :D
Awww you cutie gal you!! :D Thanks for the fun chat yesterday too!