Women Are Calling Square’s Code Camp A ‘Magical’ & ‘Incredible Experience’
We don’t need to convince you that coding is one of the most valuable and highest paying skills you can have in today’s workforce. Most companies need employees who can code, so regardless of your interests, you’ll probably come across an abundance of technical positions as you browse for jobs. You also may feel like a lot of tech jobs tend to be occupied by men (did you know that just 20% of software developers are women? Yet tech sector jobs are among the highest-paying occupations for women.)
This is why Square, a fintech company where women flourish, has organized a Code Camp — an annual five-day immersion program open to college women. The camp was developed in San Francisco five years ago, and this summer it’s expanding to Square’s Atlanta office — in a city that’s integral to Square’s robust engineering team.
If you’re interested or know someone who might be, apply now! Square is accepting applications until June 1.
If you’re skeptical about taking a summer course, rest assured that this is not some boring program. In fact, women who have participated have some pretty awesome things to say.
Alyssa Pohahau, a Square employee, says her experience at Code Camp taught her many things, “but among the most valuable was self confidence. I was introduced to great people (women in my cohort and Square employees) who were not only passionate about their careers but passionate about learning and teaching others every day. And they encouraged me to do the same.”
She adds that “Code Camp taught me to always give back and invite others into the tech space, because I was given that chance and was able to see the benefits of it.
Shana Hiu, from the University of California, Berkeley, says she loved the community and spirit of Square’s Code Camp: “There is something magical about being surrounded by women with shared interests and diverse backgrounds."
Want more deets? Here you go:
- Square’s Code Camp runs from August 14-19, 2017.
- 12 college-aged women will be selected to participate from universities across the U.S., U.K. and Canada.
- The program includes executive sitdowns with Jack Dorsey, Square CEO and Jacqueline Reses, Square Capital Lead & People Lead; a hackathon; mock interviews with Square engineers; a team project; and more.
- This will be Square’s fifth Code Camp, and the very first time the company’s hosting it in Atlanta, at the Square Atlanta office.
- Square designed the program to help improve the ratio of women in technical positions. The company says they launched the College Code Camp to inspire, educate, and empower the next generation of women in technology.
- So far, 140 women have participated in Code Camp, spanning more than 50 universities across the U.S. and Canada since it launched in 2012.
“I can speak for the rest of the campers when I say Square empowered each and every one of us,” says Chelsea Carr of Michigan State University.
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