7 Benefits of Joining deploy(impact) in 2023
A remote hands-on, agile software development program for social good running for 6 weeks from Sep 23 - Nov 4.
We are thrilled to announce that deploy(impact) is back for its 2023 edition!
After two consecutive successful editions in 2021 and 2022, we are excited to bring back women++’s software development program for social good.
deploy(impact) brings together women transitioning into tech with anyone interested in advancing their careers in tech, companies supporting diversity, and other non-profits. deploy(impact) provides a platform for applied learning in which tech enthusiasts with different experience levels come together to solve real-life social cause problems with technical solutions. Participants are mentored by companies and can experience the whole life cycle of a software solution, and it’s a supportive, collaborative environment where people learn together.
Register your interest to participate now!
What is the most important goal of the deploy(impact) program?
Putting participants’ learning and development at the core through applied learning and hands-on tech project experience.
Here are 7 reasons to join deploy(impact):
- You will work on something meaningful and rewarding: The majority of the globe operates with a strong emphasis on financial gain, and a significant portion of our work-related concerns revolve around maximizing returns on investments. However, there exist crucial problems that affect our society and the world as a whole, which tend to receive relatively less attention. These are the subjects that deploy(impact) addresses. Engaging with deploy(impact) offers you an opportunity to apply and enhance your abilities beyond your professional role, while making a meaningful contribution to the greater good.
- You will gain real-life experience in the full life-cycle of software development projects: In contrast to typical Hackathons, this program is specifically crafted to cover the entire life-cycle of a product. It begins with defining requirements in collaboration with your client or the product owner, and progresses all the way to implementing the initial prototype. The ultimate objective is to establish a solid groundwork for implementing your solution in conjunction with the NGO you are affiliated with, ultimately bringing about tangible and positive changes in the world.
- You will work with, contribute to and learn from people with exceptional skills different from your own: Through previous experiences and research, it has been demonstrated that teams consisting of individuals from diverse disciplines are capable of creating better solutions. By incorporating interdisciplinary teams throughout the entirety of the product development journey, we aim to enhance collaboration among experts in strategy, design, subject matter, and engineering. This collaborative approach ultimately leads to improved project outcomes and valuable learning experiences for all participants. You will have the opportunity to be a part of such a team.
- You will be part of an inclusive space to ensure a positive experience for everyone (even if you do not have a tech background!): Are you embarking on your first tech project? We strongly believe in the importance of providing individuals transitioning into tech-related careers with a practical and immersive experience. It offers them the opportunity to apply their existing skills while fostering a desire to pursue this path further. We actively encourage women to enter the tech industry, independently of their current level of expertise. To facilitate growth and learning, we ensure that each team comprises members with diverse experience levels. This arrangement allows those with more experience in a specific area to support and mentor those with less experience, while simultaneously developing their own areas of improvement.
- You will have access to expert mentors sharing the same values as you: Each participant in this program will have the valuable opportunity to receive exclusive mentorship from prominent companies within the Swiss tech ecosystem. Various sponsoring companies offer diverse mentorship support, drawing from their industry expertise in specific domains. This guidance will assist participants in effectively developing a minimum viable product (MVP) solution over the course of six sprints, ensuring their success in the program, recurring to Agile method.
- You will learn before competing:
At deploy(impact), promoting continuous learning for participants is a fundamental objective. This year, we have returned with an enhanced, feedback-oriented approach, providing participants with essential tools, workshops, and feedback loops for each sprint. Our emphasis is on enabling successful solution-building while prioritizing the learning process. Furthermore, we actively encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing among project teams, keeping the primary focus on learning rather than solely pursuing the final prize. As we often say, the act of participating itself is the ultimate goal. - You will grow your network and open new opportunities for yourself: Collaborate with and connect with professionals who share similar aspirations, expanding your network within the industry. According to feedback from past participants, this program presents the ideal chance to create tangible and meaningful projects that instill a sense of pride. These accomplishments not only enhance your CV and portfolio but also significantly improve your prospects of securing a future tech-related job. In addition, the program facilitates invaluable connections with mentors representing various sponsoring companies, further enriching your professional network.
Register your interest to participate now!
What participants say…
In an effort to understand the impact the program has on participants, we asked former participant Emilie Humbert, who filled the role of junior software developer in her team:
Did deploy(impact) have an impact on your career development? How?
“Over the six-week long project, collaborating as a team for a good cause and the networking opportunities that were available to me during deploy(impact) were extremely helpful.
It is such an amazing programme to not only improve my technical skills but also work alongside other developers, programmers and UX/UI designers towards a common goal.
Importantly, it has also opened up job opportunities for me in the tech space” — Emilie Humbert
Register your interest to participate now!
More about deploy(impact):
- This program runs remotely from Sep 23 — Nov 4, 2023. It requires a commitment of 15 hours/week to work on the project for 6 weeks. Visit deploy(impact).
- Applications are open from Jul 17 - Sept 3 — Don’t miss any updates by registering your interest as a participant now.
- Could your company be interested in promoting diversity in tech through this program? Find out more about the sponsorship opportunities here.
- In 2023, we are partnering up with 2 Swiss-based non-profit organizations to bring real-life hands-on tech projects for social good for our community to work on.
- The opening (Sep 23) and closing ceremony (Nov 4) are on-site in Zurich, offering a hybrid option for those participants joining remotely from other European cities.
- Join multidisciplinary, diverse teams and contribute to projects that make a positive social impact. This program is designed to provide upskilling opportunities for those transitioning to tech and welcomes participants from all backgrounds.
