One of the most challenging aspects of being a woman in tech is the feeling of loneliness. When I started my journey, I felt lost, not because of the technical terms I needed to learn, but because I felt like I was going through this journey alone. But, of course, I knew other women were going through the same journey; I just didn’t know any.
Going through something new alone is not always ideal; some attend bootcamps or online/ offline classes to learn something new. When you’re learning with others, you learn more than just the technical content; you learn from others’ experiences and insights.
Once I found a community to help, support, and inspire me through my tech journey, I felt a sense of belonging. I ended up with friends, similar-minded women, and a network that helped me professionally become the person I am today.
№1: WOMEN WHO CODE
Women Who Code is one of the largest communities for women in tech. Its primary mission is to help women excel in tech fields and pursue successful careers. Women Who Code is a very active community with various monthly conferences and webinars through different technical-focused chapters.
№2: WOMENTECH NETWORK
WomenTech Network is another community that aims to empower women in tech by providing leadership development, mentorship, and networking events. In addition, WomenTech Network inspires women by organizing global conferences that help you connect with women in tech worldwide.
№3: I AM THE CODE
iamtheCODE is the first African-led global movement that aims to educate people about everything STEAMD (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Design). Although I am the Code supports anyone, it mainly only targets women and marginalized communities.
№4: DJANGO GIRLS
In addition to the general communities that support women in tech, some communities focus on a smaller group of women in tech. Django Girls is one such community. It aims to help women and anyone interested in the Django Python framework.
№5: WOMEN IN TECH
Another option for networking option is Women In Tech. Women In Tech offers several mentorship programs that allow you to connect with inspiring women in tech to help you through your tech journey.
№6: PYLADIES
One of the most popular programming languages today is Python. Python is very versatile and can be used in different aspects of STEM. PyLadies is a community that allows women who use Python to connect, share their experiences, and attend online events about other usages of Python as a programming language.
№7: CODE LIKE A GIRL
Code Like a Girl is a social enterprise that aims to empower girls and women in tech by providing the knowledge they need to have the confidence and tools to enter and excel in the tech world. They also have a Medium publication that offers excellent articles written by amazing women on various tech topics.
№8: THE GRACE HOPPER FOUNDATION
One of the most well-known organizations that support women in tech is The Grace Hopper Foundation (Anita B.Org). Aside from the famous yearly conference, the foundation offers many membership options and job boards for women in tech worldwide.
№9: GIRLS WHO CODE
Unlike all the communities we went over so far that target adult women, Girls Who Code encourages and inspires girls ages 13-17 years old to pursue a career in STEM. They offer mentorship programs and workshops to help girls know how to make it in tech.
I would argue that one of the best parts about getting into the tech field — aside from the new career prospects — is the chance to meet new people. New people to befriend, get inspired by, and grow your professional network.
But sometimes, meeting people is not the easiest, especially if you’re learning that new skill online. So naturally, your options for meeting people get very limited. Luckily, you don’t need to go far to meet inspiring women in tech.
There are many online communities that you can rely on to build a solid network of amazing women in tech. Today’s article covered nine outstanding communities that will give you the support, inspiration, and sense of community you need to go through your learning journey and excel in your career path.
