With applications now open for our six month Plus program, how can you make sure you have the best possible chance to get in? We explore some ideas below, including alumni tips on how they did it. Tip number one – check the application deadline! (Hint: it’s Monday, March 2nd for Perth and March 27th for Brisbane!)
1. Get personal
The most important evaluation criteria for She Codes Plus is passion – we want to know why you want this because we can teach technical skills, but can’t teach you to love learning. The more personal your submission is the more likely it is your passion will show through, resulting in a better submission. Getting personal also allows you to have fun with your submission – this isn’t a job interview, so don’t worry about being formal.
She Codes Plus 2019 alumni Roxanne Barney says “be 100% yourself and honest. Write out your answers and sleep on it. Then go back to it the next day with a fresh mind to perfect it.”
2. What’s your vision?
Having a goal is so helpful in getting you to success faster. If you know what you are striving towards, have a project, product, skill or role in mind – tell us! We want to root for you and to help you succeed in your goals.
Your goal doesn’t have to be tied to a professional outcome – do you have a goal around your self-confidence, communication skills or learning new skills? Tell us about that too!
3. Be real with your time
Timing really is everything! Why is now the right time for you to do the program? We appreciate nothing will ever be perfect – it will always be a juggle to balance family, friends, work, learning, and other commitments, so don’t let any of this stop you but do be realistic in thinking through how you will manage your time.
4. What drives you?
The program, while flexible, is still a long commitment and at times will prove challenging. Do you have examples of things you have committed to – learning to play an instrument or a new language? Being part of a committee or a board? Finishing a university or TAFE course – whatever you think best displays your ability to drive yourself through the challenging times and persevere.
5. What’s your superpower!
Spend time talking to your friends, family and colleagues to discover what makes you unique. What can you bring to the cohort that no one else can? “Tell us what your superpower is! We want to know what you’re great at, tech or non-tech related!” Kate tells us. “Diversity is at the core of this program and we are really keen to hear from all women – regardless of age, ethnicity or background.”
6. The role of role models
Community is at the heart of what we do at She Codes! #WomenHelpingWomen is one of our battlecries, and #GivingBack is part of our mantra. We want to support women who want to help other women and will be a positive and inspiring role model for women like them. Tell us about times you have been a role model or positive support person in someone’s life (that could be a friend, a mentoring role, or a volunteering position) and tell us who inspires you and amplifies them!
7. Submitting your video
A video is a great way for you to show who you are as a person and what drives you! You don’t need to spend a lot of time on this, we are not looking for Hollywood quality.
If you don’t want to (or can’t) make a video – it is totally ok! Just remember to answer the question of your ideal job somewhere else in your application. You will not be marked down for not having a video in your application.
“Making a video can be intimidating, I found it so much easier sitting with a friend and having a convo and then cutting it up!” Nanwen, She Codes Alumni shares.
8. Submit early
Don’t leave it to the last minute! Typically 50% of applications will be submitted in the last 2 days. If there are issues with your internet, your device, or (hopefully not) our website this could cause you lots of stress completing the application. Submit it early and relax knowing it’s done.
9. Don’t give up!
If you have missed out in the past, don’t take it personally and DON’T GIVE UP! Use the things you have missed out on as motivation to keep pushing forward and chasing your dream. As Woody Allen says “80% of success in life is showing up”. Most scholarship and award winners are the ones who keep trying.
10. Have fun
Just have fun with it!
Anna Callan shares with us “I really want to apply and do it all again! It was so much fun”.
So, with all of this in mind, head to our Plus page and get started today, or share it with a friend who is thinking of applying!