Alicia’s Awesome Scholarship Submission
When I first saw this phrase accompanying the Coding House logo, it strongly spoke to me because that is exactly what I'm trying to do. I have a wonderful husband; a supportive, loving family and a solid network of friends, and I have usually been able to keep a good job. Even though my family lives off paycheck to paycheck, growing up we always had a place to live and food to eat from our garden. However, the status quo is not exactly how I imagined my life at 30 years old. While I learned a lot about myself and expanded my worldview since leaving home at 17, in many other ways I have been running in place; doing the same thing; always reading, learning and searching for a different way – a way to change things: my life, my family’s lives and my community, for the better. I am applying for this scholarship because I can’t think of anyone whose life would be changed by it as drastically as mine will – from a small town girl whose grandparents didn't finish high school to a college educated, world-class entry-level software engineer.
I found the Computer Programming subject on Khan Academy’s website and decided to give it a try. After completing the HTML/CSS section, I heard about some introductory Python language courses on Coursera. Using Khan Academy, Coursera, and Code School, my curiosity for computer programming developed into a hunger and a passion for finding a way to make coding my career. The reason I am drawn to coding is because it has what my current “career” pathway in the hospitality industry does not – a chance to create, expand my mind and learn new things each day. The fact that I can make a living doing this is simply a perk – as Gary Hamel, a founder of Strategos, put it, “we are happiest when we are creating.” There is so much potential for someone entering into this field. Becoming a video game developer is one such option, and would allow me to bring together two of my biggest passions and help to #ChangeTheRatio in an industry where only 4% of programmers are female. The prospect of a career where I can use my talent and experiences to create applications that will improve people's daily lives has made me driven. It sparked something inside of me, and I believe that I can make a difference, not only for myself and my immediate family, but for others as well.
Around the time I was delving deeper into online learning resources for coding, I read an article about a rise in new tech programs in The New York Times. As I researched coding boot camps, as these programs are called, I came to know Coding House is the program for me. Why? Coding House is committed to helping me achieve my goals – to be trained as a computer programmer and find a career doing so. Having no meal plan in college and crashing on friend's couches for summer school, I experienced firsthand how inadequate food and shelter can affect your ability to learn. It is important to me that Coding House meets these basic needs and I am surprised they are the only coding camp to do so. They are making an investment in me by seeking compensation after I am able to find employment in this new field, not while I am working diligently in order to make this drastic change in my life, thereby becoming my partner in the truest sense.
Coding House's motto is “Change Your Life.” I know I have the ability and drive to do just that. Attending Coding House is the launchpad to reach my goals – to become a skilled and employed computer programmer – and to change the lives of my family and community by paying it forward, helping others reach their goals and opening doors for underrepresented groups in the tech industry. I am passionate about increasing diversity in computer programming because greater collaboration amongst different groups allows for growth and new ways of thinking. I am one to #ChangeTheRatio because I come from a unique background with a large, blended family, that has struggled day-to-day in a small town that offers little in the way of exciting tech-related opportunities. It is my goal to inspire young girls from similar backgrounds to take a greater interest in computer science and writing code.
I am doing everything possible to raise the necessary funds to pay to attend Coding House myself. My husband and I sold basically everything we own, and recently moved in with his parents in order to save up as much money as we can. We purchased the required MacBook Pro, and I started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money as well. No one in my family or circle of friends has a lot to give, but those that can have contributed. I know if I don't win the scholarship, it is because somebody else needs it more than I do, and I will just have to work a little harder. This is the chance I've been looking for to Change My Life, and I refuse to let it pass me by. I thank you for this opportunity, and for offering this scholarship so that women like me can dare to hope. I realize that the possibilities are endless and that Coding House is facilitating meaningful change for women like me. I am fighting for a chance to tap into it. I’ll see you next month to #ChangeTheRatio and Change My Life.