We live in a world where one must interact with technology daily. Unfortunately, not all of us know how to shift from only consuming technology to producing it. If you are a woman or gender minority and are interested in diving into the world of the internet with us - we have good news for you!
This spring, we are holding a two day workshop for beginners. It will take place on March 15 and March 16 at Alchemy Code Lab in Portland, OR.
This workshop is aimed at total beginners. You don't need to know anything about programming to participate. You just need to join us the evening of Friday the 15th and all day Saturday the 16th and have a sufficient understanding of English to work with our English-speaking coaches.
You'll work through a tutorial in small groups of three with a coach, so you'll be able to learn at your own pace.
If you are curious what we mean by "women and gender minorities", please see our FAQ.
Meet us at Alchemy Code Lab, 30 NW 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
Do I need to know anything about websites or programming?
No! This workshop is for beginners. However, if you have a little bit of technical knowledge (i.e. you know what HTML or CSS are) you should still apply!
I am not living in Portland, can I attend?
Of course! At this time we are not able to offer travel scholarships, however.
Should I bring my own laptop?
We prefer that you bring your own WiFi-enabled laptop with you. It is important for us that you be able to take home everything you’ll write and create during the workshop. If you're not able to bring a laptop, we have a very small number of laptops that can be loaned out for the duration of the workshop.
Do I need to have something installed on my laptop?
We'll help you install what you need! Don't worry, all the software you'll use is free.
Is food provided?
Yes. Thanks to our generous sponsors, you'll have dinner at the installation party, and breakfast, lunch, and snacks during the workshop. We will do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions. If there is a restriction we can't accomodate we'll let you know and recommend that you bring your own food or grab some from somewhere near the venue.
How do I get to the venue?
You can reach Alchemy Code Lab using the Portland public transit system. The TriMet Trip Planner is very helpful!
Is the venue accessible?
Yes, Alchemy Code Lab is fully accessible.
Can I participate if I have low vision or am hard of hearing?
While we do not have any special facilities for attendees who are Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or have low vision, our coaches will use text-based communication if it will help you.
Will there be a quiet room available?
Yes.
Will there be child care?
Yes! Depending on demand we will either have on site child care or a stipend for child care.
I need an accommodation not listed here.
Please send us an email at portland@djangogirls.org so we can work out a plan with you!
Why are you doing this?
We want to assure women and gender minorities who are interested in technology that you are not alone! We want to provide a safe space to learn, ask questions, make new friends, and feel supported while learning something new.
Who is invited to apply to this workshop?
We’ve struggled to find the right catch-all term, but if you are a cis woman, trans person, or non-binary person, you’re welcome at this workshop. The male-dominated nature of tech can create barriers for people of other genders, but we understand that whether or not you feel this applies to you can be a personal and complicated question. If you’re still unsure if this workshop is for you, feel free to shoot us an email at portland@djangogirls.org and we’d be happy to chat!
What steps are you taking to help attendees of any gender feel safe and welcome at this workshop?
We provide pronoun stickers at our workshop and encourage everyone to wear them. We also have a Code of Conduct that everyone involved is required to follow, which means that harassment of any kind will not be tolerated. Also, all coaches will be versed on who this workshop is for and how to help create a safe and supportive space. If you have any additional concerns about this feel free to email us!
I can't attend this workshop, will there be more in the future?
Yes! If you subscribe to our mailing list you can get updates about our upcoming events. There are also many other Django Girls events in nearby cities, check out what's coming up to see if there's one that might work for you!
We wouldn't be able to host this workshop without the support of our volunteer coaches. They are experienced teachers, software engineers, and members of the tech community! 💕
We couldn't be here without support from the amazing people and organizations who donated money, knowledge and time to help us make this a reality. If you want to contribute and support our goal, please get in touch!
Alchemy Code Lab is a developer academy helping students kickstart their career in tech
Transforming healthcare, Bright.md developed a SmartExam platform used by several major health delivery systems across North America
CloudBolt enables enterprise IT to operate as a cloud service provider
The Django Software Foundation promotes, supports, and advances the Django Web framework
Free Geek is a Portland-based 501c3 offering computer hardware recycling and refurbishing. Free Geek empowers its community through computer grants, classes, and volunteer opportunities.
New Relic provides real-time data analytics to help you manage complex applications and infrastructure
Puppet is building a world where the software that powers everything around us is always available, is constantly modern & accessible from anywhere.
