by Uchechi | Apr 4, 2015 | Blog
#YesWeCode chat #17: Catching up, updates and connecting
Sunday April 5th, 2015
6pmPST/8pmCT
It’s been a few weeks since the last #yeswecode chat, and I can imagine you’ve all been busy. I’ve missed you all, and I can’t wait to find out what you’ve been up to. My husband and I just finished attending and participating in NOEW (New Orleans Entrepreneur Week), and we’re excited for all the newly engaged couples who are signing up for wedOcracy. How have all of you been? What’s new in your startup business or tech work? This week we’ll focus on catching up, getting updates and seeing how we can all support each other.
Questions to think about:
1. What are you working on right now?
2. What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing in the coming week?
3. What’s the biggest milestone you’ve accomplished recently?
4. If there was one thing you could do to turn things around, what would it be?
5. If there was one thing we could all do to support you, what would that be?
See you on Twitter!
New to the #yeswecode chats? Check out the guidelines to help you make the most out of it!
by Uchechi | Feb 28, 2015 | Blog
#YesWeCode chat #15: Finding Mentorship and Accountability in Tech Entrepreneurship
Sunday March 1st, 2015
6pmPST/8pmCT/9pmEST
Connect with me @uchechi_writes on Twitter
Over the past few months, I’ve talked to a lot of entrepreneurs who are passionate about their ideas and ready to make them happen. Whether they’re just learning to code and taking online design courses, or they’ve got the code skills but are new to business, the biggest challenge many face is staying accountable and motivated even when things get really difficult.
So, how do you stay accountable to your work and your tech goals?
During this chat, we’ll talk about finding mentorship and accountability partners, and how that can help you go from great idea to a great action plan.
I’ve had accountability partners in the past, and what I appreciated most was that they were also trying to stay accountable in their own work, and they could see things from my perspective and help me understand what I was trying to achieve. Hopefully, I did the same for them.
Some questions to think about:
- When things get difficult in your tech/entrepreneurial work, who do you turn to for advice?
- Do you have mentors/advisors/accountability partners? How has that helped you achieve your goals?
- Are you serving as mentor for someone else? What has that process been like?
- What advice would you give to someone looking for mentorship?
And more! Join us!
by Uchechi | Dec 28, 2014 | Blog
During this chat we’ll discuss how to go from being a code/tech newbie to landing a job or taking things to the next level.
So, you learned to code but maybe you don’t know what comes next. Becoming a web developer is about the tools you use, the connections you make, the clients you engage with and building a supportive community.
During this chat, we’ll discuss the following questions:
- After learning to code, what’s the best way to get a job in tech?
- How can I go from a newbie in tech to a junior or senior level person?
- What’s my online presence got to do with finding a tech related job?
- Are there smarter (and faster) ways to go from being a newbie to a junior or senior developer?
- What are some great online tools I should be using?
And more!
Join us on Sunday 12/28/14 at 8pmCT.
For more info on how to participate, check out the chat guidelines.
Thanks and see you soon!
Uchechi
by Uchechi | Nov 14, 2014 | Blog
Hope you can join the next #yeswecode chat this Sunday (11/16/14) at 8pmCT. We’ll be discussing fear, it’s impact on our work and how we can move forward anyway.
The fear of being wrong can affect your success
This week, I was in the Bay Area for the WedTech conference, and while there I visited a long time friend of mine. We sat in a great Oakland coffee shop, sipped lattes and spoke about our hopes, our work, the lives of two very creative women.
Towards the end of our conversation, she mentioned that she’s often afraid of being wrong, and how that gets in the way of her success. I immediately thought about how at some point in all our lives, we all deal with insecurity. But, what happens when it stops us from becoming successful.
Imposter Syndrome is a real issue
At some point in our lives, the fear of being “found out” aka Impostor Syndrome, is a real issue. I want to bring this conversation to the tech space because I believe all of us are capable of being more than just good. We’re actually capable of being great, and doing so has nothing to do As we talk about tech diversity, it’s important to remember that we all show up with some insecurity. Are you worried that you’re not good enough, smart enough, savvy enough, capable enough? How does this worry affect your work?
#Yeswecode chat #9 questions to think about:
- How does the fear of being “wrong” get in the way of your success?
- If you could let it go, what would that look like?
- What are some unique ways you deal with/work through feelings of Imposter Syndrome?
- Once you get that dream job in tech, what’s your plan on how to make the most of it in the face of your fears?
Why is this conversation important?
I hope you can join the conversation. Before joining the chat please review the guidelines, which will answer some questions and help you know how to best participate. It’s important to the tech inclusion dialogue, especially because I really do believe that while access to tech skills is an important piece of tech diversity, there’s also a need to address the internal challenges that get in the way of our success.
by Uchechi | Sep 25, 2014 | Blog
Creating a diverse VC pool to support diverse tech entrepreneurship
Sunday September 28th at 8pm
Guests: Rob Lalka, J. Anthony Miguez & Hank Torbert
Thank you for showing up, for trusting and for engaging in these conversations. The next diversity in tech #yeswecode twitter chat happens on Sunday September 28th at 8pm Central Time. Please connect with me on Twitter to stay updated. I am so inspired by all of you.
If you’re reading this, I hope you can join us for the next one. If you missed the first chats, you can read more about them here. Before participating, please read the guidelines so you know what to expect and how to best participate.
Creating a diverse VC pool to support diverse tech entrepreneurship
These days, it’s hard to talk about the startup tech space without also talking about diversity and efforts to help bridge the digital divide.
From initiatives like Google’s Made With Code to Van Jones’ Yes We Code, more and more organizations are using tech education to bring more diversity to technology.
But, what about those of us in the tech space whose needs are more related to startup funding than tech education? As a tech startup co-founder, I definitely have a personal stake in the subject.
In 2013, 2% of VC funding went to women-led startups, while the majority of the funding went to white male led companies.
Here’s the thing: To me, diversity in technology has never been about a numbers game. It’s been more connected to opportunity and access for all tech entrepreneurs, especially if you don’t fit the stereotype of the 20 year old Stanford CS major.
- It’s about older tech entrepreneurs who are interested in starting companies, but wondering if there’s space for them.
- It’s about anyone who never went to college, who wonders how much a degree matters.
- It’s about non coders who want to bring their UX Design or Information Architecture skills to the table, but aren’t sure if there’s space for them in the startup world, especially as non coders.
- It’s about saying that all of us, yes all of us, need to be creators & users of technology products if we are to be at the forefront of tech innovation.
In order for us to get there, I believe we need access to tech skills AND startup capital – including a diverse pool of Angels and VCs – to support an equally diverse pool of entrepreneurs.
During this chat, we’ll discuss unique ways we can find financial support for tech entrepreneurship. We’ll be joined by VCs and startup mentors, so you don’t want to miss this one.
Bring your thoughts and your great ideas. This conversation needs you!
