We were delighted to host another codebar event at Ideal this week, supporting the charity that runs free programming workshops for minority groups in tech.
As we all know, women are much less likely to join the tech community – it’s estimated that only 25% of coders are female. So, in the week before International Women’s Day, it was particularly poignant to meet Julia Loucks at the event and to hear her story.
Meet Julia - from classical musician to coding career
Julia was a classical musician facing an uncertain future due to the pandemic when she decided she wanted a career with more flexibility and financial stability. She had always had an interest in what made digital tick and so decided that she would explore coding as an option.
Julia tells us: “I first discovered codebar in 2020. I could see it offered the chance to get some valuable experience that online tutorials couldn’t provide. I joined a virtual session in lockdown in Spring 2020 and attended my first in-person workshop in the September.”
Julia says: “I was blown away by how generous people were with their time. It helped me learn a lot faster.
“Without codebar, I don’t think I would have been able to make the transition from home learning and hobby websites for musician friends to a Junior Developer job. I simply wouldn’t have had the confidence.”
“Without codebar, I don’t think I would have been able to make the transition…”
5 years on, Julia’s back as a volunteer
In fact, Julia’s first professional opportunity came from an introduction through codebar. Fast forward five years and she is now in her second developer role at the Brighton based agency, Made By : Flawless. And Julia is now back at codebar, volunteering as an organiser.
Julia tells us:
“My favourite thing about volunteering at codebar is meeting people who come to codebar for the first time and then seeing them flourish into an employed coding role.
“codebar is a fabulous safe environment to try stuff out and get inspired – and I love being part of that. I also benefit from interacting with the other coaches – mentor to mentor. It makes me feel proud to be a woman in tech helping others, which after all, is what codebar set out to achieve from the start.”
We were delighted to host another codebar event at Ideal this week, supporting the charity that runs free programming workshops for minority groups in tech.
As we all know, women are much less likely to join the tech community – it’s estimated that only 25% of coders are female. So, in the week before International Women’s Day, it was particularly poignant to meet Julia Loucks at the event and to hear her story.
Meet Julia – from classical musician to coding career
Julia was a classical musician facing an uncertain future due to the pandemic when she decided she wanted a career with more flexibility and financial stability. She had always had an interest in what made digital tick and so decided that she would explore coding as an option.
Julia tells us: “I first discovered codebar in 2020. I could see it offered the chance to get some valuable experience that online tutorials couldn’t provide. I joined a virtual session in lockdown in Spring 2020 and attended my first in-person workshop in the September.”
Julia says: “I was blown away by how generous people were with their time. It helped me learn a lot faster.
“Without codebar, I don’t think I would have been able to make the transition from home learning and hobby websites for musician friends to a Junior Developer job. I simply wouldn’t have had the confidence.”
“Without codebar, I don’t think I would have been able to make the transition…”
5 years on, Julia’s back as a volunteer
In fact, Julia’s first professional opportunity came from an introduction through codebar. Fast forward five years and she is now in her second developer role at the Brighton based agency, Made By : Flawless. And Julia is now back at codebar, volunteering as an organiser.
Julia tells us:
“My favourite thing about volunteering at codebar is meeting people who come to codebar for the first time and then seeing them flourish into an employed coding role.
“codebar is a fabulous safe environment to try stuff out and get inspired – and I love being part of that. I also benefit from interacting with the other coaches – mentor to mentor. It makes me feel proud to be a woman in tech helping others, which after all, is what codebar set out to achieve from the start.”
We were delighted to host another codebar event at Ideal this week, supporting the charity that runs free programming workshops for minority groups in tech.
As we all know, women are much less likely to join the tech community – it’s estimated that only 25% of coders are female. So, in the week before International Women’s Day, it was particularly poignant to meet Julia Loucks at the event and to hear her story.
Meet Julia - from classical musician to coding career
Julia was a classical musician facing an uncertain future due to the pandemic when she decided she wanted a career with more flexibility and financial stability. She had always had an interest in what made digital tick and so decided that she would explore coding as an option.
Julia tells us: “I first discovered codebar in 2020. I could see it offered the chance to get some valuable experience that online tutorials couldn’t provide. I joined a virtual session in lockdown in Spring 2020 and attended my first in-person workshop in the September.”
Julia says: “I was blown away by how generous people were with their time. It helped me learn a lot faster.
“Without codebar, I don’t think I would have been able to make the transition from home learning and hobby websites for musician friends to a Junior Developer job. I simply wouldn’t have had the confidence.”
“Without codebar, I don’t think I would have been able to make the transition…”
5 years on, Julia’s back as a volunteer
In fact, Julia’s first professional opportunity came from an introduction through codebar. Fast forward five years and she is now in her second developer role at the Brighton based agency, Made By : Flawless. And Julia is now back at codebar, volunteering as an organiser.
Julia tells us:
“My favourite thing about volunteering at codebar is meeting people who come to codebar for the first time and then seeing them flourish into an employed coding role.
“codebar is a fabulous safe environment to try stuff out and get inspired – and I love being part of that. I also benefit from interacting with the other coaches – mentor to mentor. It makes me feel proud to be a woman in tech helping others, which after all, is what codebar set out to achieve from the start.”
