Attending and organizing the student panel with Girls in CS was a good experience Here are my key takeaways and how I plan to act on them:

Key Lessons from the Panel

  • CSP and CSA Encourage Creativity
    • Aadit shared that these classes helped him be creative, unlike traditional classes focused on memorization and tests.
    • Computer science offers limitless opportunities for innovation and creation.
  • Freedom to Explore and Innovate
    • This inspired me to see CSP as more than just assignments—it’s an opportunity to go beyond expectations.
    • I plan to:
      • Work on personal projects
        • For example, I am currently building a game on my own to add to my portfolio
      • Experiment with new programming concepts
        • Maybe research a little deeper into what exactly we’re doing in class, rather than being surface level
      • Collaborate with peers
        • I want to work with my team in order to accomplish something more than what we’re doing right now
  • Importance of Job Fairs
    • One panelist emphasized how attending job fairs can help you build your network and connect with potential opportunities.
    • I want to attend college and job fairs so I can get a little more information on what I want to do with my life

Proof I was at the Panel! (Sorry the picture is blurry, but I think you know I was there)

Notes from the Panel

  1. Why Pursue CS?
    • Find fulfillment from completing projects and contributing to society.
    • Extend personal interests (e.g., cybersecurity, robotics, game development) into learning computer science.
  2. Importance of Communication:
    • Explaining your projects improves presentation skills and helps others support your goals.
    • In college, you’ll often explain code to TAs, professors, and peers.
  3. Building Project Skills:
    • Use tools like Draw.io for flowcharts and apply Agile methodology for teamwork.
    • Be open to feedback and actively implement suggestions to improve your work.
  4. College Applications:
    • Start early and include projects in essays, highlighting both technical and ethical aspects.
    • After writing a few essays, adapt them to save time.
  5. Choosing the Right College:
    • Decide if you enjoy collaborative projects and look into majors that align with your interests.
    • Consider schools where AP credits and early graduation are possible.
  6. High School Advice:
    • Take dual enrollment courses at community colleges to earn transferable credits.
    • Focus on quality extracurriculars that you’re passionate about, rather than joining too many clubs.
  7. College Focus:
    • Prioritize hands-on projects and technical skills for internships instead of focusing too much on GPA.
  8. Extracurricular Activities to Pursue:
    • Build websites, compete in local hackathons/competitions, and explore internships like Northrop Grumman.
    • Get involved in Science Olympiad or participate in research opportunities.
  9. Tips for Internships:
    • Reach out to recruiters on LinkedIn and start with smaller startups for experience.
    • Your first internship doesn’t need to align with your major, but later ones should.
  10. Creating a Portfolio:
    • Build a portfolio website to showcase your projects and skills.
    • Use it to connect with potential employers at job fairs.

This panel taught me valuable lessons about computer science, college, and career opportunities. I’m glad Girls in CS was able to help organize it.