Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline Corley.
Hi Jacqueline, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have transitioned from being a confused Computer Science student over 10 years ago to now owning an online business helping career-changing women transition into tech by learning to code.
I’ve always loved computers. In fact, from the first day my parents brought home a computer, I was hooked. I used to have time restrictions on my computer use as a teenager because I would stay on it for hours. I couldn’t help it; I wanted to know everything about it.
I got my email. I explored chat rooms. I played Minesweeper. I learned how to touch type in 7th grade. Then I discovered programming as a sophomore in high school. After that, I was sold on what I wanted to do with my life.
At least…so I thought… I got to college in 2008 and chose to major in Computer Science, only to be left with a bunch of challenges as I was learning to code.
At first, I thought I had misunderstood my original excitement for programming. I also thought I wasn’t smart enough to do it. I even dropped my first college coding course and was told I would never graduate in four years because I did so.
But all of that changed when I was given a second opportunity to take the course with a new instructor the following year. This time, I learned to code in a whole new way, and my love for it was revived again. Had it not been for a better reintroduction to coding, I probably would have given up. I later went on to graduate with my Bachelor’s (in 4 years) and Master’s (in 2 years) in Computer Science and become a database developer for the government.
After almost four years working in the industry, I changed careers to higher education, teaching Computer Science courses at the collegiate level. (And remember that person who said I’d never graduate on time? They later had to tell me congratulations to my face when I accepted my professor role. Look at God fighting my battles for me!).
I spent five amazing years in higher education and I’m so grateful for the time I spent there.
Since then I’ve:
✅ Been an inspiration to women learning to code globally.
✅ Received a number of awards in STEM for my strategies in teaching others how to code.
✅ Created a top podcast in the Women in Tech category.
✅ Built an online business that serves career-changing women who are learning to code.
✅ Been featured in multiple movements empowering women in technology.
✅ Taught at a coding boot camp.
✅ Decided to live out God’s purpose for my life and teach others to do the same.
I realized that it wasn’t coding that was the problem; it was the way I was learning it that didn’t resonate. And that’s why I’m on a mission to help women all over the world to become coding masters, even without a Computer Science degree or coding bootcamp certification, because some just need to learn in a way that best fits them.
In a way that helps them be more of an asset to their employers or freelance clients. In a way that gets them excited and doesn’t feel like a chore, or like they’re in a maze of videos that will do nothing for them. I’ve been there. Remember: my journey in learning to code started rough!
You don’t have to get lost in the process. You’re not too young, and you’re not too old.
It’s not too late to change careers to an industry that is allowing many people to live their best lives.
It’s not too late to learn to code.
Lastly, while it is true that there’s lots of negativity in the world regarding women who code…
Remember… Women who code are 100% dope.
Don’t you forget it, and let NO ONE tell you different.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It wasn’t a smooth road. The top 3 challenges I faced were:
1. I had minimal acceptance in the tech industry because I am part of more than one underrepresented people group. I represent 4 minorities in the software development industry: women, African Americans, United States citizens, and English speaking. This was difficult to maneuver, especially in graduate school. I later realized these are the things that make me unique and stand out to others who need what I have to offer.
2. I started my business, Tech Girls Code, in December 2020 – just 6 days after a rough miscarriage. This was challenging to go through, especially with my responsibilities as a wife and mother of 1 at the time. I was also teaching full-time as a Computer Science professor & spending long hours helping a family member through a tough crisis. I even experienced a 2nd miscarriage 6 months later, and at-risk pregnancy with my son just 3 months following that. And when he was born, he almost didn’t make it because he was born with the cord around his neck. I thank God he is here today to complete our beautiful family of 4.
The challenge came in navigating tough times, and being an example to women who were dealing with trials of their own while they learned to code. To be honest, this is one challenge that I’m still facing. However, I have learned through each difficult time that it’s important to fight for your dreams, even when life threatens your achievement.
3. The nuances of online entrepreneurship can be daunting, but at the same time, I am daily filled with hope, simply because it has brought so many amazing opportunities to business owners and creators with an online presence.
There are a lot of moving parts sometimes, especially as an online coach. Sometimes it can be difficult to overcome the distrust many have in the coaching industry, but building trust with the content I share & create has been amazing. It feels good to daily help women who code through my creative content & coaching programs.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I help women transition into tech by confidently learning to code. I am known for connecting these women to their mission and vision for learning to code. Teaching them how to look within themselves for their answers to their future coding careers, plus teaching them to code in a more detailed and understandable way is what sets Tech Girls Code apart.
I am most proud of the Code with Confidence challenge, which has been proven to help women increase confidence in their coding skills in 5 days or less – sometimes as early as 24 hours of working with me. My one-year program, Tech Girls Code Academy, helps women transition into computer programming within 12 months. The Academy is ideal for women who are new to coding or need a more solid foundation for their coding skills, especially career-changers looking for a new job as a programmer.
My monthly membership, The Squad, fosters a supportive women’s community to learn from and seek help when needed. The Squad is ideal for self-taught programmers, computer science majors, online course takers, and coding boot camp students. The Tech Girls Code brand focuses on championing women to become computer programmers, especially since only 28.7% of computer programmers are women. I wanted to do something about that, so The Squad was was created to help facilitate that by providing the supportive community aspect many women need in this space.
What are your plans for the future?
I recently did a rebrand of my business and podcast to ensure everything is branded to confidence for women in computer programming.
I am most excited about the Tech Girls Code Summit happening from December 1-3, 2023 here in Miami, Florida. It will be both an in-person and virtual event. I can’t wait to officially meet some of the women who follow along with the Tech Girls Code community.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/techgirlscode
- Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/techgirlscode
- Linkedin: http://www.LinkedIn.com/in/techgirlscode
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/techgirlscode
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@techgirlscode
- Other: http://www.Facebook.com/jacquelinejeanell
