An Introduction to Girls Who Code College Loops
Are you a college aged student who is interested in technology and want to meet other female identifying students with the same interests? Are you interested in programming but don’t know anything about coding languages? Are you interested in a role in tech but study something completely unrelated?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, I would like to introduce you to Girls Who Code College Loops, a student-led college program that provides an in-person community for young women in computer science.
What is Girls Who Code?
Girls Who Code (GWC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and increasing the number of women in computer science by equipping young women with computing projects and programs to introduce them to tech and improve their technical skills.
Computer science is a popular growing major, and computing and tech is where thousands of jobs will be in the future. But despite this growing popularity, there is still a large gender gap in tech. In the 21st century, fewer than 1 in 5 computer science graduates are women. While computer science programs are introduced more in schools across the country, statistics show that girls’ participation and interest in the subject drop off between the ages of 13–17.
GWC changes what the standard programmer looks like and does. Through their programs, they help young women indulge in their interests in computer science, and have reached 90,000 girls in the last 8 years worldwide. Girls Who Code has provided girls internationally with the tools and skills they need to thrive in computer science, now all they need is support through college. And now, through College Loops, they can provide that support.
What is College Loops?
The College Loops program provides Girls Who Code alumni and other young women interested in computer science a community based around tech on campus.
The program launched in 2018, and has grown to over 30 campuses, on two and four year institutions.
College Loops is for any college student interested in computer science and tech. You do not have to be a computer science major or minor, you just need the desire to learn.
How is College Loops run?
The program focuses on monthly challenges, encouraging members to connect with women in CS, build relationships, expand their technical experience and skills, and use community organizing tactics to empower women in CS at their college campus.
Monthly challenges include coding sessions, hacking challenges, technical interview practice, side projects and more. Basically, all the resources you need to thrive in a CS environment professionally and technically. But the learning and resources don’t stop at the classroom level, nor at your college campus. Many programs hold office visits at high profile tech companies, and attend tech events and conferences in their city. Field trips are very common among different college loops programs.
Since building community is a large component of why the College Loops program works, members will receive mentorship from all different types of women in the program. From CS majors to majors that have nothing to do with tech, freshmen and graduate students, and young women who have different interests in CS (Blockchain, AI, Machine Learning, etc), there is always something to learn from your fellow members.
How can I get involved?
Girls Who Code allows anyone to start a club, whether you are an alumni or not. Of course, it would be beneficial if someone had club leadership experience, but anyone is eligible as long as they are a college identifying woman. If your school already has a College Loop, you can join the E-Board and help out in a lot of different ways, so find your strong suit! Is it planning events? Organizing the finances? Spreading the word through social media? The more you spread and grow College Loops, the more perks you get over time.
Perks of College Loops
The more your club grows, the more perks you will receive from the GWC organization. They will send food, tshirts, pins, bags, hats and more so that you can represent your Loop in front of everyone! Girls Who Code College Loops will also provide its members with exclusive opportunities to meet with industry professionals.
On top of the swag and professional development opportunities, you can gain leadership experience and meet new people with the same interest as you.
With College Loops, we’re going to make sure girls persist — not only through middle school and high school… but through college and beyond.
Learn more about College Loops at girlswhocode.com/collegeloops.
