women who tech

My Tech Odyssey: From Curiosity's Spark to a Community on Fire Ever felt that pull? That nagging, exciting curiosity about how things work, especially in the digital world? For me, it wasn't a sudden "aha!" moment, but a slow, steady burn that ignited my tech journey. And trust me, it's been an adventure filled with unexpected turns, thrilling victories, and the incredible power of community!

Chapter 1: The Mouse Click that Started It All (Yes, Really!) My very first dip into the tech pool wasn't a grand coding bootcamp or a hackathon. Nope. It was back in 9th standard, lost in the labyrinth of early websites. I vividly remember the thrill of navigating those clunky, pixelated pages – seeing an image link to another page, a button triggering an action. It wasn't just consuming content; it was wondering: how on earth did they build this? That innocent curiosity, that simple act of exploration, was the tiny seed that planted my future.

Life, however, loves its plot twists! A school change meant my brief tryst with computers took a pause in 11th and 12th. No dedicated classes, no code labs. But here's the thing about passion: you can suppress it, but it never truly dies. That little voice asking "how does it work?" just got louder in my head, a quiet promise of future exploration.

Chapter 2: College & Code: When the Pieces Finally Clicked (Literally!) Stepping into B.Tech in Computer Science Engineering felt like coming home, even if I didn't fully realize it at first. Let's be real, initial college days were a mix of studies, fun, and dipping my toes into various activities. I was enjoying the vibe, but the tech spark was still simmering, not quite a roaring flame.

Then came the college coding club. Oh, the magic that unfolded there! I remember our first frontend challenge: tasked with building a simple portfolio page. I spent hours wrestling with HTML and CSS, feeling utterly lost one moment, then experiencing a burst of triumph when a div finally aligned perfectly. And then, it happened: I won in frontend development! Can you imagine the rush? Standing on that small stage, holding the certificate, seeing the smiles – it wasn't just about the win; it was the sheer exhilaration of seeing my code transform into something tangible, something beautiful on a screen. That moment? Pure fuel!

Chapter 3: Beyond My Screen: The Untapped Power of "Us" That frontend win didn't just give me bragging rights; it flung open a whole new door: the incredible world of tech communities. My journey rocketed when I stumbled upon GDG Prayagraj. This wasn't just a group; it was a vibrant ecosystem, a place where ideas bounced around like electric currents!

I recall attending my first GDG workshop on Firebase. The speaker showed how quickly you could set up a backend for an app, and my jaw literally dropped. Later, experimenting with FlutterFlow, I managed to build a basic to-do list app in an afternoon – something that would have taken days, even weeks, with traditional coding. It was here that I shed my "I'll do it later" mindset. The energy of the community transformed me, pushing me to shed procrastination and embrace challenges head-on. That's the power of finding your tribe!

We started small, getting involved in college and local community events. The vibe was electric! I found my voice, particularly within Women in Tech (WiT) initiatives and by joining the WiTech Club. I remember organizing a "Code & Coffee" session specifically for aspiring women developers. Seeing their faces light up as they wrote their first lines of JavaScript, or overcame a tricky bug with peer support – it wasn't just about my own coding journey anymore; it was about building a staircase for others, about championing diversity and inclusion in a space that needs it so much.

Chapter 4: Igniting Impact: Connecting Dots, Leading the Way My network began to explode. I plunged into the FlutterFlow Developers group, built incredible connections on LinkedIn, and even started virtually hosting Women in Tech leaders' meetings. I remember one such meeting where a panelist, a senior engineer, shared her struggles with imposter syndrome early in her career. Her honesty resonated deeply, making me realize we all face similar hurdles, and that connection is key. Every conversation, every shared idea, felt like adding a new star to my constellation of knowledge.

And the milestones? Oh, we've had a few! Being selected in the top 40 teams across India for app building was a dream come true – a testament to teamwork, late nights, and boundless passion. I recall the adrenaline during the final presentation, showcasing our app, and the sense of accomplishment when we heard we made the cut. But honestly, the biggest win? It's being able to give back. To promote community, to become a recognizable face for tech events and the wider tech scene in my college, like when I recently hosted our annual TechFest's opening ceremony. It's about inspiring others to take that first click, to join that club, to find their own spark.

My tech odyssey is still unfolding, but it's a testament to how a simple curiosity can transform into a driving force for impact. It's about breaking down barriers, building bridges, and proving that with a little curiosity, a lot of grit, and the incredible support of a community, anyone can shine brightly in the world of tech