REWRITING THE CODE

HOLBERTON TULSA HOSTS WORKSHOP TO EMPOWER FEMALE SOFTWARE ENGINEERS.

BY JANE ZEMEL

Holberton Tulsa, a computer science school for aspiring software engineers, looks to encourage more females to pursue a career in tech by hosting an open-tothe-community workshop on March 15, the date National Women’s History Month collides with National Equal Pay Day. Co-hosts are Oklahoma Women in Technology and Tulsa Remote.

Holberton’s Megan Radford, instructor of general education, will join Karen Pennington, director of Madison Strategies Group — a nonpro t connecting individuals to education and employment opportunities — to address topics including the gender pay gap, how to ask for a raise and earning opportunities for women in the tech sector. Additional speakers will tackle closing the gender pay gap and work life in a primarily male industry. e event is free and open to the public. Attendees can register at holbertontulsa.com/register.

Also this month, a Holberton representative will visit McClure Elementary, Tulsa MET Middle and High School and other under-resourced schools to introduce coding as a career path. “We hope this inspires future generations of female software engineers,” says Libby Ediger, CEO of Holberton Tulsa.

e licensed vocation school is named for Betty Holberton, who worked on the rst U.S. Army computer in 1943 and helped to pioneer modern-day software engineering. e school’s 20-month programs blend in-person and online classes, ranging in size from 60-70 students per cohort. Most are locals; others are from nearby cities, surrounding states or as far away as Atlanta or New York.

Career switchers — those who come from other industries — account for 80% of Holberton’s students. “A large population was making below minimum wage,” Ediger says. “We have a wide range of students previously working as service workers and on oil rigs to those with a master’s degree.”

Ediger says one misconception is coders are anti-social and spend all day staring at a computer screen. “In fact, you have to be a collaborator. You may have dozens of people working with you,” she says. “You have to be creative to do websites and video games, mobile apps, virtual reality and ight simulators.” e future for software developers here is bright. According to data from inTulsa, local job posts have jumped 116% since 2016; recent posts are up 57%. By 2026, demand is expected to shoot up another 15%, with salaries averaging north of $50,000. TP

So far, Holberton graduates have landed positions at American Airlines, CymSTAR, BOK Financial and Consumer A airs.