This summer, Pfizer welcomed back Girls Who Code to their New York Headquarters. In the span of seven weeks, the students dove into various STEM topics including robotics, web apps, loops, variables, conditionals, and functions. They were also able to participate in workshops that were hosted by Pfizer’s Digital colleagues. They learned about a variety of subjects, including how to utilize professional collaboration tools and the importance of combating counterfeit drugs on a global scale-they even had an activity where they had to distinguish two drugs to see which was authentic.
This program allows young girls, ages 15 to 18, to expand their technical and interpersonal skills. The students also use this summer program to build connections and friendships, all while jumpstarting their careers in technology.
Girls Who Code is a non-profit organization that holds courses all across the country. The organization cites that “… tech jobs are among the fastest growing in the country, yet girls are being left behind. While interest in computer science ebbs over time, the bigger drop-off happens between the ages of 13 and 17. By 2020, there will be 1.4 million jobs available in computing-related fields. US graduates are on track to fill 29% of those jobs. Women are on track to fill just 3%.” The goal of Girls Who Code is to change this movement with one single mission: to close the gender gap in technology.
