WWCD Mentorship Program 5.0: Week 1
As an avid LinkedIn user, I would often spend countless hours scrolling through profiles, and I couldn’t help but notice the Women Who Code Delhi tag on the accounts of numerous women who were leading the way in the tech industry. Their achievements would always leave me in awe, and I knew that when the applications for the program opened, I had to seize the opportunity to become a part of this incredible community. The anticipation grew as the 5th edition of the program approached, and I eagerly awaited the release of the applications.
When the applications were finally released, around mid-April, I wasted no time in submitting mine. In my application, I expressed how much I admired the women in the community and how I believed that being a part of this mentorship program would have a profound impact on my personal and professional growth. I emphasized my passion for technology and my eagerness to contribute to the advancement of women in the field.
The following weeks were filled with anticipation as I constantly checked my mailbox for any updates. Then, finally I got the mail: “Congratulations on getting accepted as a mentee!” and I was elated. A few days later, we were all added to a group where we introduced ourselves. It was an absolute delight to witness the diversity of backgrounds and experiences among the women who were making their way into the technology space. Seeing their determination and passion further fueled my own motivation.
I had requested to be paired with Manika Jain, someone I had been following on LinkedIn for a long time, and she had always inspired me with her accomplishments. The organizers accommodated my request, and I felt incredibly fortunate to have been assigned to my favourite mentor.
Our journey officially began with an introductory call, where we shared more about ourselves and our interests. I spoke about my desire to explore the intersection of finance and technology, and Manika provided invaluable insights and learnings by drawing parallels from her own journey. She attentively listened to my goals and aspirations, and together, we discussed how we could tailor the mentorship experience to suit my specific needs. I also had the opportunity to share some of the challenges I was facing, and she comprehensively addressed each one of them. During our conversation, she emphasized the importance of maintaining a progress tracker to keep track of our Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA) preparation, scholarships, and other opportunities. She also highlighted the value of participating in Hackathons and contributing to Open Source projects and provided us with numerous resources. The best part is that since a mentor is assigned just three mentees, the environment is always friendly, warm, and supportive, allowing us to freely exchange our thoughts.
In the coming weeks, we will delve deeper into Open Source, scholarships, and other opportunities, specially those available for women in tech, and learn how to make our applications stand out. I am immensely grateful for the chance to learn, grow, and contribute to the tech industry alongside such remarkable women, and I cannot wait for the upcoming weeks ✨.
