Key Takeaways
- Women leave STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) career paths at three distinct stages—before college, during college, and after college. Creating inclusive environments for women in tech spaces can curb this trend.
- Coding bootcamps specifically designed for women (and girls) help promote confidence and stability.
- Reasons to consider a coding bootcamp designed for women include finding support during career changes, leveling up skills, networking, and financial incentives.
- Inclusive coding bootcamps and women-in-tech advocacy groups help close gender and pay gaps by creating a “safety net” for women in tech to flourish.
Where are all the women in tech?
Despite making up 47% of the overall U.S. workforce, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, women are still vastly underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workforce.1,2
Dr. Jamin D. Speer outlines these findings in his report, Bye bye Ms. American Sci: Women and the leaky STEM pipeline.3 He describes the “leaky” pipeline in STEM students at three distinct stages in tech education—before college, during college, and after college—where women tend to exit their STEM career paths.
The trend of falling off the tech job career path is unfortunate because there are so many fields available in the tech space, specifically around coding, including:
- Software engineering
- Data science
- Mobile app development
- Web development
- Cyber security
- Information security analysis
- Computer systems analysis
- Quality assurance testing
Beyond this short list, there are more specialized roles that many women interested in coding are missing when they decide not to pursue a job in tech. Perhaps, somewhere along their career path in the tech industry, they were told that tech wasn’t for them, or they felt isolated without the support to continue pursuing a career path dominated by men. Imposter syndrome can also significantly impact a woman’s confidence, especially in environments where male peers are the majority, making it harder for women to persist in tech. Whatever the reason, closing the gaping gender gap is still possible.
Coding bootcamps can be a solution. These accelerated, short-term coding training programs offer a unique opportunity for students to learn coding quickly. This is especially important for women and other underrepresented minorities who may want to test the waters to see if coding is a good fit or level up their current skillset.
Women and girls need tech learning opportunities designed for them, not just because gender diversity matters but because inclusive environments promote confidence and stability. Finding support from others who have walked a similar path can be the difference between embracing the tech job of your dreams and walking away from the field altogether.
“We need to be supported in the things we have interest in or want to do so that we aren’t afraid to be successful,” says one Georgia 9th grader in The Girls’ Index™ Girls & STEM Impact Report, 2024.4
Tech programs, like coding bootcamps for women, that support gender equality and close the gap in tech, give participants a voice by helping them carve out a unique space that represents them.
Today, you can find many courses focused on inclusivity—determined to make all students feel equally represented in tech. Finding a coding bootcamp for women (and girls) from grade school to college level and beyond has become easier as more institutions and organizations recognize and support the need for more women in tech. From part-time to full-time and self-paced to in-person learning, flexible options are available.
Below we list some coding bootcamps for women and girls to explore—along with free education resources, including information on scholarships and other financial support.
Coding Education Opportunities for All Ages
Thanks to the significant push in the early 2000s to create more STEM programs for women, the movement to get girls interested in tech at an early age has continued to gain momentum. Teaching girls how to code has been a big piece of the technology push in STEM programs.
While the growth of women in technology fields has been slow over the last two decades, it has been steady. This is good news. As more opportunities open up for women and girls to find their place in the technology landscape, the gender gap will continue to close.
Some of the reasons to consider a coding bootcamp include:
- A career change: If you’re ready for a job shift within your company or another company, a coding bootcamp can help you level up quickly.
- Skill improvement: If you already know how to code, but want to increase your knowledge and skillset, a coding bootcamp can help you fill in the gaps.
- College degree focus: If you select a degree or concentration in a technology field, a coding bootcamp can help prepare you for your coursework and give you a crash course in what to expect as a coder.
- Networking opportunities: A coding bootcamp is a great way to meet like-minded people with similar perspectives and goals.
- Financial incentive: Working in a STEM field can also come with a paycheck increase, according to the U.S. National Science Foundation.5
Let’s look at some free and paid coding bootcamp options to get you started.
Free Coding Bootcamps For Women
The resources listed below are free and allow women from all backgrounds to learn to code. These coding schools provide hands-on experience and practical challenges, enabling learners to reinforce what they’ve learned and apply their skills in real-world scenarios.
- Ada Developers Academy is a nonprofit, cost-free coding school for women and gender-expansive adults that prioritizes serving Black, Latinx, Indigenous Americans, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander, LGBTQIA+, and low-income students.6 Ada Developers Academy offers a six-month online or in-person class, paired with a five-month internship.
- Hear Me Code is a community where thousands of women are learning how to code with free, beginner-friendly coding classes.7 The community originally started as class offerings to women in the District of Columbia; however, since classes are no longer held in person, the curriculum and materials are free and widely available to anyone who needs them.
- Codebar is a charity-based organization that offers free online tutorials to help support the growth of a diverse tech community.8 There are a variety of lessons on beginner-friendly content and advanced concepts, as well as additional tutorials. These lessons cover front-end, back-end, app-focused, and generalized coding content to learn at your own pace. You can also find their resources on GitHub.
- Django Girls is a nonprofit organization and community that offers online tutorials and helps create in-person, one-day programming workshops.9 According to the website, “During each of our events, 30-60 women build their first web application using HTML, CSS, Python and Django.” Django Girls is open to all ages.
Free Coding Bootcamps for Young Women and Girls
Exposing more young women to computer science specialties like coding, data analytics, and machine learning, and encouraging them to explore the field, could help close the gender and equity gap in the tech industry.10
One annual event leading the charge of inspiring young women to get involved with coding is Computer Science Education Week (CSED).11 The week is dedicated to helping K-12 students learn computer science and highlights the impact that computer science has on everyone’s lives.
In addition to CSED week, there are several platforms that young women can join to start building their skills outside the classroom:
- Girls Who Code is an international nonprofit working to close the gender gap in technology by supporting young women in grades 3-12 as well as college-level students.12 They offer free online code tutorials and in-person programming events like Summer Immersion Programs and Clubs.
- Black Girls Code is a bootcamp that partners “with schools and organizations to offer a range of programs, both in-person and virtual, for ages 7-25.”13 The program focuses on building confidence and community, improving technical skills, providing career path options for young women of color, and is dedicated to providing employment opportunities for its graduates.
- Grow with Google is a free coding curriculum curated by Google. “Our products and programs aim to address disparities in CS [Computer Science] Education, especially for students from historically underrepresented communities, and to help equip teachers with computer science resources to prepare their students for their futures.”14
Paid Online Coding Bootcamps for Women
These women-focused bootcamps are proudly offered to women only and are taught by industry-experienced instructors and leading industry experts.
- The Grace Hopper Program is a part- or full-time course for women and non-binary individuals, provided by the Fullstack Academy.15 Through this immersive software engineering program, students get real-world coding skills—learning JavaScript, developer tools like GitHub, and AI tools like ChatGPT.
- All Women Academy offers a membership program where students can choose from a mix of tech courses and bootcamps, including a Data Analytics Bootcamp, UI/UX Design Bootcamp, and Applied AI Bootcamp.16 The organization focuses on inclusion and providing a safe space for women to learn.
- Kal Academy collaborates with IT companies to create their bootcamps.17 While Kal Academy is women-focused and supports women in IT, it also makes affordability a key benefit. Bootcamps offered include: Web Development Full Stack Bootcamp, Software Development Deep Stack Bootcamp, Technical Interview Prep Bootcamp, and Artificial Intelligence Deep Stack Bootcamp.
Online Coding Bootcamps Available to All
The bootcamps listed here are programs anyone can enroll in, regardless of gender. These programs are offered in the typical part-time and full-time format and have different support options that come with the cost of enrollment. Many of these bootcamps are designed to prepare students for roles as software engineers and are often supported by leading tech companies, which play a key role in promoting diversity and empowering individuals to pursue careers in technology. When considering the bootcamps below, look closely at the learning support and career services provided to ensure the program fits your current needs.
- General Assembly offers a variety of online bootcamps and courses(full and part-time).18 Their instructor-led bootcamps include lessons in data analytics, data science, front-end web development, Java development, software engineering, user experience (UX) design, and more.
- Coding Dojo offers an online, part- and full-time software development bootcamp.19 This accelerated program focuses on “the ins and outs of front-end development, back-end development, and database development.” In as little as 30 hours per week, students can choose their learning path—from 1-, 2-, and 3-stack development.
- Tech Elevator is an international bootcamp training provider of intensive coding training.20 They offer several coding bootcamps, including Programming Foundations, Back-End Development, Web Programming, and more.
- BrainStation features full- and part-time bootcamps in software engineering, data science, web development, and more.21 They also offer certification programs in Python, AI, data analytics, and more. BrainStation “has certified over 30,000 professionals and some of the largest corporations in the world through cutting-edge digital skills training offered online and in-person from New York, London, Miami, Toronto and Vancouver.”
- DigitalCrafts bootcamps offer a selection of bootcamps that specialize in areas like software development, cyber security, and AI and machine learning.22 There are also free introductory courses that students can explore.
Advocates Championing Change
The face of the tech industry is changing. Thanks to a growing number of organizations and institutions pushing for more diversity and safe spaces for marginalized groups, women continue to make inroads in an industry historically dominated by men.
To continue closing the gender and equal pay gaps, coding bootcamps designed to nurture the specific needs of women coders are essential. Access to free and paid resources, communities, advocates, and platforms that promote the inclusion of women of all ages in tech will continue to push the industry forward.
Now, let’s look at the companies and nonprofits that exist to bring more women into software engineering and technology jobs. There’s a lot more meaningful work needed to close the significant wage gap and workplace disparity women are facing in today’s workforce, but these programs and investments are carving a path in the right direction.
National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT)
NCWIT provides opportunities to widen “inclusion in the technology ecosystem through innovative programs and research.”23 They feature what they call “TeachEngineering,” which houses over 1,900 free, online K-12 lessons and activities in engineering and the design process.
AnitaB.org / Anita Borg Institute
This nonprofit organization for women in tech was founded in 1997 by two computer scientists, Anita Borg and Telle Whitney.24 The organization’s mission is to support women in technology and to “connect, inspire and guide women in computing.” Systers, founded in 1987, is the first online community for women in tech and a part of the AnitaB.org group.
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Empovia (previously Change Catalyst) is a group focused on diversity in tech for women and minorities.25 They specialize in learning and development solutions through an eLearning platform. Not only do they provide live, interactive training, but they also provide virtual workshops, coaching, consulting, and events.
Ladies that UX is a community dedicated to supporting women in UX/UI design by pushing the boundaries of the industry and promoting their abilities.26 They feature opportunities to connect, mentor each other, skillshare, and create professional connections that will help them land their dream role in tech. Local groups are based in cities around the world, with a welcoming environment for women to discuss learning and work opportunities.
Ladies, Wine & Design is a nonprofit with chapters in hundreds of cities around the world.27 Their mission is to create more diversity in the creative industry, especially within leadership roles. They take a holistic approach to their community support and offer free mentorship connections, project and portfolio reviews, advice and tips, and meetups for underrepresented creatives.
Founded in 2012, She++ is a nonprofit with a mission to empower underrepresented groups in technology by breaking down negative stereotypes surrounding tech careers for women.28 This organization offers great resources on tech news, advocacy, career advice, research, ways to reduce discrimination, and high school and college student opportunities.
TechWomen is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.29 According to their website, the initiative was “created to support the next generation of women leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) from Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East by providing them the access and opportunity needed to advance their careers, pursue their dreams, and inspire women and girls in their communities.”
Tech Ladies is a worldwide community with 140,000 members where ladies can get help growing their tech careers.30 Through a supportive online group, a talent network, and opportunities to learn more, Tech Ladies has connected thousands of women in tech with opportunities worldwide.
Women in Innovation (WIN) is a nonprofit organization with a 5,000+ community of tech leaders and innovators in New York, San Francisco, and London.31 They host monthly interactive sessions and workshops that explore leadership, development, and growth.
Next Steps
Whether you’re interested in finding a coding bootcamp, looking for a supportive tech community, or want to support the movement to see more women in the tech field, you have options. There are free and paid programs for beginners and experienced coders online and in-person, so finding a bootcamp for women and girls is easier than ever.
You can also get involved by participating in events run by organizations dedicated to making meaningful changes in the industry. Whether you decide to learn a coding language or cheer from the sidelines, know you are not alone.
Sources:
1 https://www.uschamber.com/workforce/data-deep-dive-a-decline-of-women-in-the-workforce
2 https://www.womentech.net/women-in-tech-stats
3 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272775723000183?via%3Dihub
6 https://adadevelopersacademy.org/
8 https://tutorials.codebar.io/
14 https://grow.google/educators/
15 https://www.gracehopper.com/
19 https://www.codingdojo.com/software-development-part-time-accelerated
20 https://www.techelevator.com/coding-bootcamp/
22 https://www.digitalcrafts.com/
27 https://ladieswinedesign.com/
28 https://wearetechwomen.com/she/
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