I sort of hate to say it: it’s not your food, it’s not your numbers, it’s not that awesome photo booth you ordered or that 3 AM snowball fight you organized. The most important part of your hackathon is probably your sponsors. And not just how much they’re paying—although that matters, too—but who’s paying. Who are you inviting to your hackathon? Who’s getting access to your mailing list? Remember: You are selling me. I am your product. As the …
On Interning at Valve
How I got my internship People often say that success happens when preparation meets luck. It’s trite, but in my case it was true.
Freshman-Friendly Recruiting
The software industry has an intense recruiting system for internships. A supply-and-demand problem is part of the reason that it’s so crazy–there are many more employers than interns.
Homegrown Computer Science for Middle Schoolers
It’s CSEdWeek, everyone! CSEdWeek is a nationally recognized celebration of K-12 computer science education. This week, CSEdWeek is December 9 to December 15, 2012.
Productivity Begets Productivity
My friend Eliot has started a project to measure his work habits, and is searching for conclusions in the data he collects. And because Eliot is a statistics major, he’s been able to draw some of those conclusions–or at least sketch some hunches.
How Marines Are Like Computer Scientists: The Problem with Underrepresentation
“This Marine Infantry Course Proved Too Much For Its First Two Women Applicants.” “Female Lieutenants Flunk Marine Corps’ Fierce Infantry Training.” “Second Female Marine Fails Grueling Infantry Officer Course.”
Why You Should Apply for NCWIT’s Aspirations Award
The Aspirations Award is organized by the National Center for Women and Information Technology, and it recognizes high school girls for “computing-related achievements and interests.” If you’re eligible, please apply. If you’re not, please spread the word. This award has literally been life-changing for many young women.
How to Reinforce Impostor Syndrome
“You only got that internship because you’re a woman,” P. said. I was floored. Now, I’ve taken my fair share of shit from people. I’ve had people call me a bitch. I’ve had people call me whiny and ignorant. A stranger once aggressively diagnosed me with a mental condition. One of my peers used to keep a blog about how much she hated me. But this? This really stung. P. was a good friend of mine, …
On Female-Friendly Design
If you’re trying to design for women, start by solving real problems. Too often, marketers and product designers think that they can slap some pink on a product and women will flock to it. Remember Dell’s “Della” line for women? Or Bic for Her, the totally unnecessary “pen for women” (and its ensuing Amazon reviews)? But let’s be honest: It’s not really a problem that the iPhone 5 doesn’t come in pink. It is a problem that …
My Problem with “Circle of Six”
I love the idea of using technology to solve cultural problems. I love the idea of an app that makes social change. But I have a problem with Circle of Six, which won the White House’s “Apps Against Abuse” contest earlier this year. Circle of Six is an app designed to let women reach out to their trusted friends (their “circle of six”) with only a couple of taps. It’s a great idea, at least …