It’s the digital era and coding (aka computer programming) is the foundation of our modern life.
Computers, phones, apps, airplanes, tv’s and cars all rely on code to work properly.
Put simply, code is a set of instructions that tells machines what to do.
The people who write code are called programmers.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there have been 9600 job openings each year for the last decade. The median annual salary is $93,000.
In other words, programmers are in high demand and well paid.
However, not everyone has equal access or the resources to learn. Only 29% of programmers are women. People of color are also underrepresented in the field.
But there are organizations working to change that.
If you believe that the future of coding should be diverse and fair, then We All Code is looking for you!
Who is We All Code?
We All Code is a Chicago-based non-profit on a mission to improve access to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) for girls and underrepresented children.
Currently, the STEM workforce isn’t very diverse. Only 28% of science and engineering jobs are held by women. Latinx, African Americans, and Native Americans only make up 2.7% of STEM degree earners.
Whether it be gender, socioeconomic status, race, etc., We All Code breaks down barriers by offering free coding classes, courses, and camps for children 7 to 18.
With the help of highly trained instructors and mentors, students learn practical coding languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python. The goal is for them to explore coding and get hands-on experience. They learn the skills needed to have thriving coding careers in the future.
If you want to support children as they learn to code, volunteer as a mentor!
The Opportunity
We All Code is looking for enthusiastic mentors to support children during 1-day weekend coding workshops.
Mentors will encourage students to explore, problem-solve and collaborate.
The opportunity is remote.
Duties
- Mentor students during workshops
- Facilitate Zoom sessions
- Provide encouragement and support to students
Your Skills
- Mentoring experience
- A knowledge of youth services knowledge
- Critical thinking skills
- Software development (a bonus but not required)
- Robotics (a bonus but not required)
What You’ll Need
- A passion for teaching STEM (but no formal experience is required)
- Availability on Saturday’s from 9am to 2pm
- To complete a background check
- To be age 18+
- To be a US resident
Become a Mentor Today
UCA members can apply for the Mentor role through the Volunteer Network.
Step 1: Log into your UCA account
Step 2: Click ‘Volunteer Network’ in the menu bar
Step 3: Scroll down and click ‘Jump Into Your Volunteer Dashboard’
Step 4: If you’ve never used the dashboard before, click ‘Start Here’ and watch the welcome video.
Step 5: Otherwise, scroll down to Featured Opportunities. Under ‘Children’, click the We All Code box.
Step 6: You’ll be redirected to the Dear God, Are we There Yet volunteer platform.
Step 7: Click ‘I Want to Help’ in the upper right corner and follow the instructions.
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