By J1 Reporter Kathryn Baginski
Students’ passions can be found in the most unlikely of places, some of which are full of codes, accumulators, and modules.
Computer Programming was never a subject junior Nithali Sridhar considered until her parents urged her to sign up for what would soon become one of her favorite classes.
“Up to this point, I had never considered [computer programming]… I didn’t want to be a computer programmer because the [Indian] stereotype is that you’re either a doctor or an engineer.” Nithali went on to explain that, after taking this class, she is definitely considering a career that incorporates programming.
Nithali’s parents work for Cable Services Group International, which provides support and marketing solutions for businesses all over the world. While neither actively writes computer programs anymore, both are still very involved with the process and felt it was essential for their daughter to understand the basics of programming.
Part of Nithali Sridhar’s aversion to programming stemmed from the fact that she did not want to be like her parents. “I used to toss around big words like ‘SQL’ occasionally just because that’s what my parents talked about, so I would mock them, but I actually don’t know what ‘SQL’ does.” “SQL,” pronounced “sequel,” stands for Standard Query Language and is used for database management.
Now, Nithali throws around words like “GUI” (Graphic User Interface, pronounced “gooey”) with full knowledge of what they mean. Her parents are glad that their daughter has a better understanding of their careers and is gaining knowledge that may be helpful in a future job.
Only five other girls take this class in Block E alongside Nithali. All share the same analytical mind, creativity, innovation, and detail-oriented thought process, but there are many more girls at Marian with the same qualities. Why don’t more girls take the class?
Computer programming is a male-dominated field, but it has not always been that way. Many girls don’t realize that women like Ada Lovelace, Grace Hopper, and Jean Jennings Bartik pioneered computer programming and influenced the construction of one of the first electronic computers. The decline of women in technology-based jobs is a recent development that is hopefully turning around as the world plunges headfirst into the age of technology.
Nithali recalls how many of last year’s seniors declared majors having to do with engineering and believes that the gender stereotype is not the main misconception about this class at Marian. “Part of the problem is that people think Computer Programming is a lot like Computer Applications, but that is really not the case. The problem is a lack of knowledge about computers and programs. We use computers every day, but no one ever thinks about what goes into creating the interface that we use.”
Nithali and her classmates in Computer Programming may not be learning about “SQL” or more complex programming languages, but they are learning the foundations of writing programs and valuable skills that will help them in their future careers. They use a language called Python, and with only half a semester of experience, these girls can write programs that convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, give the dimensions of a square, and even draw an interactive winter wonderland. Mrs. Sharon Genoways, the Computer Programming teacher, works hard to make the class fun and informative. This early exposure in high school is important to help girls get ahead in their possible field of work and figure out if programming really is for them.
Junior Nithali Sridhar shows her laptop in an otherwise empty STEM lab. Photo by Kathryn Baginski
Despite her initial negative opinion of programming, Nithali works enthusiastically during class, grinning whenever her program functions properly. Her hard work is rewarded by the output of the programs she writes.
Nithali speaks excitedly about her programming accomplishments as her eyes light up in anticipation for the future. “I’ve never seen myself as a hardcore tech person. I guess I’ve always just thought of myself as a science and research person, but I think this class has really opened my eyes to start considering careers in computer programming.”
Whether she decides to go into graphics, engineering, or something entirely different, Nithali plans to keep up with the dynamic programming world and broaden her horizons.
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