Sitting in a circle at lunch, laughing with each other as you plan the next step in the process, deciding who is contacting friends, who is creating online polls, and who is using implementing the ideas, you become entranced in the girls’ computer club meeting.
Computer programming and computer based design allows the mind to implement ideas and see outrageous ideas come to life. With a few (or sometimes way more than a few) clicks of a mouse and the a strong motivation, the possibilities for the beautiful programs and for the jaw dropping artwork seem endless.
Freshman year I took web design. One of few girls in the class, I felt overwhelmed and self conscience in my ability to use the computer. However, as soon as projects were assigned and I was able to use the computer, I fell in love with the ability that I had to visualize something and learn how to have my idea come to life on the computer monitor was one of few girls in a male dominant class. Confident in my technological abilities, I, unlike Sophomore year I took the Beauty and Joy of Computing beginning programming class. Again, I last year, was ready to take on the class and learn how to further make my ideas come to life on the monitor. Junior year I joined the new club Technovation, an all girls competitive computer programming club. The club teaches and reinforces leadership skills, organization, as well as programming. Only about 10 of us were in the club. While we truly stayed close to toward the planning phase, we all bonded over our love for computers. 10 girls? 10 girls in the school are interested in computers? Why? Sure there are stereotypes along with girls who use computers. Nerds. Geeks. Socially awkward. Stereotypes are not always true. We love what we do. We enjoy watching our ideas come to life on the monitor. That does not mean that we do not talk to each other. In fact programming and planning requires extensive amounts of communication and planning. In addition to that, we dress in regular clothing. Life is not always as it seems in the movies.
Branching out has been the biggest change I have noticed in myself from being a freshman to being a senior. I used to care about what others really thought. What I wore, what I said, what clubs I was a part of, everything was 100 percent influenced by those around me. But in the past three years I have learned to recognize that it truly is not about what others think. I like computers, so I joined classes and a club. Just because there are negative stereotypes tied with activities, clothing, and opinions does not at all mean that you should change how you feel about something because you are afraid of what others think. It is your life. Love what you want to love, and do not let other peoples’ thoughts outshine your own.
