Adventures in Coding

Change Your Life.

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.

I’m working on the finishing touches for my submission for the full-ride scholarship to Coding House. I am definitely nervous, as this is a huge deal; as of right now, I am right at a third of the way towards what I would need just to pay my fees upfront, but I feel pretty good about my odds. 

I had my first shift at the Outback here in Durham last night. Well, my latest first shift, anyway; this is my 4th time working there, going back until 2007. It was definitely nice to have a place I could just walk into and say, “Hey, I need a job for about a month,” and have it happen. Kudos, Tracy! It was a slow shift, but my very first table was a mother and her daughter, who was probably around 11 or 12 years old. They were so nice and fun to talk to, perfect for a slow evening. It came up that the daughter was starting some medical treatments in the area, and I had already taken note of her head scarf. I really wanted to do something, so I talked to the manager, and he comped the daughter’s meal. Good looking, out, O! When I delivered this news to the table, the mother started crying and gave me a huge hug. We held each other for a good 45 seconds or more. A genuine connection with another human being, even if ever so brief is the most priceless thing in the world. I wish upon them the very best, and hope for successful treatments! It really put everything into perspective for me, and I feel much more calm than I normally would be, considering how important this is. I realize that I can’t control everything, and as long as I do my best with the things that I can control, then there is no reason for regrets, or second-guessing. 

Things have been crazy en la casa Poindexter lately. Got the MacBook Pro, the GoFundMe campaign is in a nice swing, and we are sorting/packing everything to prepare for the estate/yard sale this weekend, and to move back to Durham! I cannot even begin to describe the bundle of nerves I am. This is a huge decision for us, and now that family has started to step in to help out, I feel even more pressure to succeed. It’s one thing to have expectations for yourself, but when other people have put their money (or in the case of my $2500 MacBook Pro,) their credit on the line because they believe in you, it’s kind of a different ballgame. Not that failure was an option before, but it is very humbling to see how much other people believe in me. Sometimes it just hits me, “What the hell am I thinking?”. Moving clear across the country, selling everything we own and spending all of our money for me to do something that I have zero formal instruction in, and, in the grand scheme of things, very little personal instruction in. 

Then, I remind myself how disappointed I will be if I don’t try. If I don’t rise to the occasion to meet this challenge face-to-face. Because, on the flip side of things, it’s one thing to tell yourself you can’t do something, but it’s another thing for somebody else to be able to say, “I told you so, you weren’t good enough to even try.” I believe that I can do anything, as long as I put forth my best effort. This is the reason that Coding House is the best fit for me. They take care of most of the things that could be a distraction in order for you to have the best learning environment possible; this will allow me to put forth my best effort and to succeed. I am so lucky to have family, friends, and most of all a loving husband that are so supportive of me and my dreams. All I can do is my best to make them proud!

Ok, so today was a busy, yet exciting day. First of all, finally finished building my gaming rig, which is my 1st PC build! Windows 7 Pro just finished installing and, other than getting the operating system updated, it is running like a champ! I’m super excited that my first build was successful. I’ll post some pics/videos later.

I also had 2 phone interviews today. The first, with Coding Campus, went about as I expected, even if I wasn’t sure of the details. First of all, it seems as if a lot of their students attend online, as they are located in Utah. 😕 This is not what I am trying to do, especially since it isn’t really any cheaper than the other programs. Secondly, most of their programs are only offered part time, in the evening, so it isn’t the fully-immersive experience I am looking for. This was just a warm-up, however, for the interview I have been the most excited/anxious/nervous about, and definitely have been looking forward to the most: Coding House.