DjangoGirls, Bangalore — 2019

DjangoGirls is a non-profit organization run at the global level with its chapters spread across various cities in different countries. The main aim of the initiative is to encourage more women into technology. There is no pre-requisite programming knowledge that one needs, to participate as a mentee. However, some programming background is advantageous.
1. Mentees can only be females. While anyone can be a coach.
2. A day-long event. Starting from Python 101, followed by Django.
3. Count of participants mentors, as well as mentees, is limited. In whichever role one likes to volunteer in. S(He) has to fill the participation form. After some days you are informed regarding the shortlisting.
4. Based on the count of mentees and coaches. Small teams are formed. Having a maximum of 3-4 mentees assigned to one coach.

This month on 9th February I participated in DjangoGirls, Bangalore as a coach. This was the first opportunity for 1:1 mentoring. We spend the entire day going through the basics of Python, followed by Django. Prior to this, I participated in DjangoGirls, Bangalore 2nd edition in the year 2017 as a mentee. And had an amazing experience. This time I got the opportunity to coach Aditi. A sophomore year undergraduate. This is how it went …

1. Before kick starting off with Python. Decided to take the initiative and “break the ice”. Discussions around each of our background, the language she codes in so on and so forth. I emphasized on feel free to ask questions. If you are not able to understand ask, ask again.
2. As this was time bound. And by the end of the day, one minimal web application was to be built. The strategy was to primarily focus on explaining Python. Fundamentals first, fancy stuff next(Framework).
3. We covered topics as per the DjangoGirls Handbook. During the course of covering Python fundamentals. We spent considerably more time on topics Lists, Dictionaries. Hands-on coding on the Python interpreter. Discussion on how third-party modules can be used in Python, managing dependencies.
4. Made some intentional errors in small code snippets. Then asked her before running the code. If it would work fine or fail?
5. Amidst this, we had an interesting conversation on syntactically is a python for loop different than a C for loop, the concept in Python which similar to arrays in C, deciding which third-party module needs to be used based on the use case, understanding framework and why do we need one. Can a website be build using only Python, the limitations?, Django’s in-built security features.
6. In Django. Idea was to explain her
   The directory structure of the project, how are different files related to each other?
   How Django interprets the request that comes on the server?
   How we would be able to display dynamic content on the web page?
   Django ORM?
   Here was another question, what is the need of using a Django ORM. Can’t we directly use SQL Queries?
7. Even lesser time on bare minimal front-end stuff.

This was an absolutely humbling experience. In the process, I had my moments of joy, feeling of satisfaction, fulfillment. Apart from Python, Django. Briefed her about open source internships, how she can participate. Upfront giving ways she can reach out to me. When she finds herself stuck, or has a question to ask.

Just before the end of DjangoGirls Workshop for this edition. We had some time for short talks. Here, Farhaan talked about giving back to the community by contributing to open source, Dgplug, Sayan shared his PyCon experiences, Pooja encouraged women participants to join them in the Pyladies Bangalore 2.0 initiative. Something that is by women, for women.

After a long time, met folks I met last time in DjangoGirls. We had some fun discussions on our first tech talk experiences, no support of demo gods on the day of presentation, internet not working, how a talk which was planned for 45 min just got completed in 15 minutes partially out of fear and partially out of technical glitch. :P

On a side note. Shout out to each of you I met on Saturday. Interacting with folks there has always been about endless possibilities one can explore, each one is there for another.

Sourav and Anirudha are the organizers of DjangoGirls, Bangalore chapter. Also, it looks like Bangalore is the only active chapter of DjangoGirls as today.
Every edition HackerEarth has been providing their office space as the venue.

Kudos, to the team!