It's No Secret- Code is Key to A Girl's Future - Melanie Young- Fearless Fabulous You!

In a recent issue of MORE magazine entrepreneur Susan Lynne, founder of BBG ventures, an company than investments in women-owned tech startups said, “Learning to code is far more valuable than learning to speak French. Coding is a universal language. It allows you to work wherever you want.”

I filed that one in the back of my mind. Growing up as a teen the word “code” was usually associated with “secret” and “Morse” and the only languages offered in my high school were Spanish and French. Today “code” means the language of technology, and it goes far beyond gigabytes, search engine optimization and other common tech lingo. It’s a language I wish I knew better in a world still dominated by male executives and tech geeks.

According to The New York Times, “Women account for just 6 percent of chief executives at the top 100 tech companies,” and “they create only 8 percent of venture-backed startups.”

But not for long. Thanks to organizations like Women Who Code women are getting a foothold and leg up in technology. Women Who Code is a global not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is dedicated to inspiring women toward excel in technology careers through education, advocacy, development, community and consulting. Over 30,o00 members and growing Women Who Code has executed over 2,000 events around the world and has a presence in 18 countries. The organization’s website and online community provide a place to network, exchange ideas and showcase women in technology whose work is purposeful, productive and promising.

Elizabeth Ferrao, Women Who Code NYC

Elizabeth Ferrao, a software engineer on Time Inc.’s New Product team, co-founded Women Who Code NYC in March 2014 with web developer Estella Madison Gonzalez. She joined me August 3, on Fearless Fabulous You! to discuss why learning computer code is important for women, the reality that technology literacy is essential to every business, and programs offered by Women Who Code to support and advance the careers of women in technology. Here is a link to the episode.

“WWCode has helped me discover that I am good at something I didn’t think I would be good at and has helped me make real friends and connections with amazing women. It has also helped me realize I am NOT the only woman over 40 who is learning to code or looking to change careers.” – Beginner & Member WWCode San Francisco

Elizabeth says learning code is easier than learning Spanish. With more than 2000 Women Who Code MeetUp events and most free, now is the time to get your feet wet in your tech skills and get up leg up in business. Please listen to this great chat with Elizabeth on www.iHeart.com and the iHeart App. Direct link: http://www.iheart.com/show/209-Fearless-Fabulous-You