Shania Sinha
My name is Shania Sinha. I’m 22 years old and I’m pursuing a master in behavioural economics. I serve as the head of business development at Turing Students Rotterdam.
What sparked your interest in coding and technology?
It took me a while to really start liking programming but I am constantly amazed by how much just a few lines of code can achieve. Even simple things like booking a spot at the library can be done without visiting the website yourself, but by only using five lines in Python! Such a small feat yet it still blows my mind!
Why do you think women are hesitant to enter this domain?
The field is male-dominated so it is natural to experience hesitation. There is also this stereotype of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) being more suitable for men. I hope to prove that this stereotype is false. We need to support each other to increase solidarity and inspire other women to pursue and make their mark in tech.
How do you think we can encourage more girls and women to be interested in coding?
The best way is to provide educational resources in programming to girls early on. I think there should be workshops in STEM organised for girls of middle school and high school age, creating a safe space for them to explore the world of tech and develop an interest. These programmes should also highlight the success of women in science and technology, providing them with role models they can look up to.
Who do you look up to in the tech industry?
I really admire Safra Catz. She is the CEO of Oracle, one of the largest tech companies in the world. I think she has a really illustrious career. I can only hope to be as brave as her in the future, being capable enough to hold my own in every conference room.
Do you have any advice for women looking to start coding?
Find a project that really sparks your interest, ideally something small. There are multiple good resources online but I really recommend FreeCodeCamp. Select a language or framework that you are interested in, find a beginner-friendly tutorial on YouTube, and start following along! I also recommend taking breaks within that tutorial to simply play around with the code yourself.
Do you know of any projects that tackle the gender gap?
Girls Who Code is the biggest initiative that I am aware of. They try to provide educational resources and other workshops for girls across all ages and backgrounds. There are many other local initiatives and conferences targeted at young women in tech as well.
Kamilah El Kanfoudi
My name is Kamilah El Kanfoudi. I'm 20 years old and I’m in my second year of studying economics and business economics. I’m also the vice-president of Turing Students Rotterdam.
What sparked your interest in coding and technology?
My father was my greatest inspiration when it comes to my interest in coding and technology. He always had a natural curiosity and a love for the newest gadgets and technologies. Both my parents really encouraged my own curiosity from a young age, and always instilled in me the importance of challenging myself as much as possible. They always expected the best from me and that has truly stuck with me. Whenever I felt unsure of myself or my abilities, I thought of their unwavering belief in me and found the courage to push through. Now, every time I sit down to code or work with Turing, I feel a sense of gratitude for the encouragement and support my father gave me, and I know that he would be proud of what I've accomplished.
Why do you think women are hesitant to enter this domain?
I love to see that there is so much constructive discourse around women in tech and that there are all these groundbreaking initiatives worldwide to promote diversity and equity in the field. But these initiatives and the reality for many women significantly lag behind. The words ‘representation’ and ‘diversity’ are so common in the social and political zeitgeist that I think they’ve lost a bit of their weight for people. I know how it feels to be the ‘other’. It is inexplicably difficult to feel respected, motivated and valued in an environment where you feel like you have to prove that you belong. Women often have to carry the burden of proof, or are just assumed to have nothing to prove at all. It is so easy to feel intimidated or out of place. I’ve been there. But the truth is, you don’t need to prove anything to anyone. Also, no matter what skills you think you may lack, you deserve to learn and grow as much as anyone else. So, don't be afraid to take up space.
How do you think we can encourage more girls and women to be interested in coding?
One way to encourage more girls and women to be interested in coding is to make it more relatable and accessible. It can be intimidating to jump into something new when it feels like there's a lot of jargon and technical language involved. Especially, when many young girls are already in a position where they feel ‘less-than’. So, we must create a supportive environment where girls and women feel like they can ask questions and get help without being judged or dismissed.
Who do you look up to in the tech industry?
Great question! I would have to say Anne-Marie Imafidon. She received a master degree in mathematics and computer science from the University of Oxford at only 20 years old. Then she founded Stemettes (an initiative to inspire young girls interested in STEM) and started a startup incubator for young girls to support their business and technology ventures. She is truly a role model for aspiring technologists, including myself!
Do you have any advice for women looking to start coding?
First of all, no matter what, never allow yourself to believe that coding is just something other people can do and not you. When I speak to a lot of my girlfriends about coding I often hearthat it sounds cool, but there's absolutely no way it could be something for them. Trust me, if you want to learn, there is always room for you! Coding can be challenging, but it's also incredibly rewarding. It's like solving a puzzle or cracking a secret code. And the best part is that you get to create something from scratch that can make a difference in the world. So my advice to women would be to dive in and start learning! There are so many resources available online to help you get started, from coding tutorials to online communities where you can connect with other coders. And if you get stuck or feel frustrated, don't give up! Remember, even the most experienced coders make mistakes – it's all part of the learning process.