Growing Within a Supportive Community
Codesmith strives to foster an empathetic and supportive community where applicants, residents, and graduates can achieve excellence while being their authentic selves.
Codesmith aims to create spaces where people from underrepresented backgrounds can achieve success in a supportive community - whether within CSX, free workshops, Prep Programs, Immersive Programs, or the Alumni Community. Codesmith’s mission of the democratization of elite education drives initiatives dedicated to fostering these communities where excellence in software engineering is accessible to people of all backgrounds. These DEI initiatives allow for everyone who shares Codesmith’s values of empathetic communication and high aspiration to not only be welcomed but celebrated.
Codesmith’s DEI Goals and Initiatives
Women & Non-Binary Engineers
Scholarships
Accessible Learning
At Codemith, we believe that a world-class engineering education should be accessible to all - we are committed to offering a wide range of free resources, including weekly workshops, one-on-one mentorship, video content, and CSX.
Commitment to Safe Learning
Workshops & Events
Accommodations
Initiatives for the Women & Non-Binary Community
Regardless of what stage you are in, there are opportunities for women and non-binary people to connect and support one another.
Workshops
Check out our Women & Non-Binary Events Page to RSVP for an upcoming event.
Prep Program Cohorts
Codesmith offers designated cohorts for Women & Non-binary students once per quarter for both JavaScript for Beginners and CS Prep. These cohorts are taught by women & non-binary instructors who are currently working as software engineers and are dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming environment for students to begin their coding journeys.
Check out our JSB and CS Prep Pages to see our upcoming Women & Non-Binary cohorts.
Scholarships
Codesmith created the Cohort Scholarship with a mission to support brilliant aspiring engineers from all backgrounds - especially those traditionally underrepresented in the tech industry - such as women and nonbinary applicants. Scholarships are awarded based on contribution to the Codesmith community, leadership, technical and academic aspiration, and financial need - all residents accepted into an immersive program are eligible to apply.
Codesmith also partners with Lesbians Who Tech to provide two Edie Windsor Coding Scholarships annually. The Edie Windsor Coding Scholarship makes it possible for incoming LGBTQ+ women and non-binary techies to kickstart careers in technology.
Check out our Scholarship Page for more details on how to apply to any of Codesmith’s scholarships.
Events for Residents & Graduates
Codesmith seeks to facilitate events for our women and nonbinary residents and graduates that foster networking, professional development, and community building. Throughout the program, residents can participate in Women & Nonbinary Lunches and Dinners facilitated by the Codesmith Team. Activities include icebreakers, Women in Tech Presentations, and panel discussions.
Additionally, the Codesmith hosts regular events that connect residents and grads with distinguished women and nonbinary Software Engineers - events include Alumni Fireside Chats, Speed Networking, and Socials. These opportunities for networking and mentorship from industry professionals help prepare our women and nonbinary residents and alumni to succeed in the program and their careers.
Initiatives for Underrepresented Folk in the Tech Industry
Regardless of what stage you are in, there are opportunities for folk who are traditionally underrepresented in the tech industry to connect and support one another.
Panels
Mentorship Program
The Minorities in Tech Mentorship Program pairs applicants from underrepresented backgrounds in tech with dedicated Codesmith graduates who are passionate about mentoring others. The program is designed to provide additional support to aspiring engineers as they prepare for admission to the Software Engineering Immersive program.
How to Apply: After passing your initial interview, you can reach out to your Admissions Coordinator to receive the Mentorship Program Application.
Eligibility Requirements: You must identify as Female or Non-Binary and/or Hispanic/Latino, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Black/African American, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander.
Scholarships
Codesmith is dedicated to supporting the success of high-achieving residents in the Software Engineering Immersive program and beyond.
Our full-tuition, partial-tuition, and partner scholarships have been created to provide financial support to outstanding community members who exemplify Codesmith’s values, especially those from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in the tech industry.
These scholarships include the Black Engineers Scholarship, International Student Scholarship, Lesbians who Tech, and Cohort Scholarships.
Check out our Scholarship Page for more details on how to apply to any of Codesmith’s scholarships.
Events for Residents & Graduates
Codesmith seeks to facilitate events for our underrepresented residents and graduates that foster networking, professional development, and community building. Throughout the program, the Codesmith Team hosts regular events that connect residents and grads with distinguished Software Engineers from underrepresented backgrounds.
Examples of past events include
- BIPoc Alumni Panel
- Accessibility in Software Engineering Panel
- Socials & networking events
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In-Program Support
Throughout the immersive, the Codesmith team is dedicated to supporting all residents in reaching their goals through holistic programming that focuses on more than just technical ability to help them achieve success.
Student Support & Wellbeing
In addition to an open-zoom policy where residents can request to meet with team members, they also have scheduled office hours throughout the program. These are one-on-one sessions with our team to address any issues or concerns they have during the program. This is a time when the team gets deeper insight into each student's experience, ensuring each student is satisfied with the program and their peers.
We also offer 1:1 sessions with our Student Support Specialist to residents who need additional support navigating the program or outside stressors. These are short-term sessions designed to concentrate on specific areas and ensure the resident has the tools they need to improve coping skills, better manage distress, resolve immediate problems, and/or meet near-term personal goals.
Implicit Bias
Implicit Bias, Microagression & Advocacy Training focuses on acknowledging & building up an understanding of Implicit Bias and empowering residents with a toolkit to maintain a positive & inclusive community at Codesmith.
Implicit Bias & Advocacy in Software Engineering focuses on understanding how Implicit Bias has affected the software engineering industry while providing a toolkit of advocacy for all our residents within the job search & job.
Accommodations
Codesmith is committed to providing an accessible software engineering education to all residents. If you need to miss class or need any additional accommodation due to religion, health, caretaking, disability or neurodiversity, the team will work closely with you on a one-on-one basis to ensure all necessary accommodations are in place to help you succeed at Codesmith.
To learn more, including who to contact, take a look at this Accommodations at Codesmith Guide.