Bringing the Fun into Tech Education to Build Student Confidence 

When I was working on my initial vision board for HYPE, I pinned the 2014 Google study, "Women Who Choose Computer Science—What Really Matters," which found that four factors – social encouragement, self-perception, academic exposure, and career perception – are key to girls’ and women’s decision to choose tech careers.  

As someone who left the tech workforce because I didn’t feel seen or supported as a woman of color in tech, it has been really important to me to make sure learning technology skills is something that is fun and done in community with others who look like you and share your values. A decade after this survey was published, I’m proud to say this is exactly what we do at HYPE; Our approach to youth and workforce development centers on fostering a sense of belonging while equipping girls of color with essential technology skills.  

At HYPE, we’re all about encouraging our girls to lean into their natural creativity and have fun with the work! I love seeing our girls light up when they realize they can create something amazing with code, all while feeling supported by their peers. We provide our girls with tech skills through hands-on learning, but we also build a space where they feel they belong and can thrive. The thing I am most proud of is the fact that we are creating a community where girls support one another, building confidence as they learn together.  

HYPE girls learn that they belong in the tech workforce and are prepared to lead it. 

HYPE's approach to youth development is designed to show Black, Latinx, and Indigenous girls they can absolutely excel in the tech world. It’s about more than just coding—it’s about tapping into their curiosity, creativity, and confidence to solve real-world problems. 

Our girls have the opportunity to meet tech professionals who look like them and are provided a pathway to career development.  

I think about  Sierra-Nicole Stokes, a former HYPE scholar who participated in the HYPE Project, our signature coding program, and the Leadership Academy, which is our year-long internship placement program. Sierra-Nicole did an internship with 3D girls in her Leadership Academy year, and her mom recently shared that her participation in HYPE’s programs had a huge impact on her confidence. Sierra-Nicole is now a student at the Goucher College in Maryland, and she is excited to combine her love for psychology with the tech skill she learned with HYPE to make an impact in the lives of those around her. Recently, she shared an update on LinkedIn about a new certification she’s obtained as a public service scholar, and I was excited to see she is still thriving in college. 

I see our girls transform every day as they realize they have what it takes to lead in this field. From academic workshops to career-building activities, we make sure they not only see themselves in tech careers but believe they can be the next leaders shaping the industry. And trust me, when learning feels like fun, anything is possible!