One year ago, on August 5, 2016, I wrote a letter. It was during the end of the Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program, and we all composed thoughtful emails to our future selves, reflecting on what we learned that summer and how we hoped to grow. And now that email has arrived. Let’s see how well I fared, shall we?
Dear Kaitlyn of the Future,
I hope you finally learn a programming language well. Get that app on the app store!!! Maybe you will even lead the robotics club. Most of all, I hope you have good friends and are happy with yourself. You are great just how you are! I think that you fear being different or not pleasing others. I cannot stress enough how you should be kind and humble but still strong for yourself. Internal resources: definitely my confidence and people skills have improved. I can pretty much joke around with anyone, probably because I look so non threatening. Use it! :)
YOU WILL DO FINE NO MATTER WHAT. (But i hope i become robotics captain). Even if I don't become exactly that, I want to start a tech camp for young girls so programs like GWC will be a thing of the past. These goals matter to me because I truly love the tech culture and people. I think they have a lot of potential to help the world.
I will remember what I have to offer by looking back at my accomplishments and setting even further goals for the future. Maybe affecting the world sounds a bit arrogant, but I can start out with the community :) If time travel works out and I see you in the future, I hope you finally get those braces out. YOU WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOURSELF AND OTHERS. thank dumbledore.
be
-Kaitlyn (15 yrs old)
“I hope you finally learn a programming language well” - Not entirely sure on the extent of the word “well”, but I did complete AP Computer Science during the school year, and had a good time practicing with Java. I also took a trip to D.C. to showcase the app project that was based on what we worked on during GWC, and I recently finished a community college course on Ruby. Oh, and I interned at a software company working on R, SQL, XML, and Shiny. So huh, I guess I did at least learn a programming language well [while having fun!] :)
“Get that app on the app store!!!” - Sorry, not yet past Kaitlyn. Although I do think it would be cool to work in Unity for some sort of Google cardboard app that can help destress users with a form of virtual meditation. Idk.
“Maybe you will even lead the robotics club” - Haha yes you will. Even though senior year has not officially started yet, a lot of efforts have been made in trying to pull the club together. So far I’m pretty happy with the work the team has put into creating curriculum guides, planning for competition, and preparing for outreach. They all have specific goals and ideas, and as captain I want to be able to mesh everything together and give them the resources to build that mechanism or install a new autonomous program. The hardest part is corralling the robotics kids onto the same page with mentors, advisors, and parents. Efficient communication is a must, and reading the book How to Win Friends and Influence People has been really useful in giving examples of effective collaboration techniques (I promise it’s not a manipulation guide or a how-to-brainwash kit).
“Most of all, I hope you have good friends and are happy with yourself. You are great just how you are! I think that you fear being different or not pleasing others. I cannot stress enough how you should be kind and humble but still strong for yourself. Internal resources: definitely my confidence and people skills have improved. I can pretty much joke around with anyone, probably because I look so non threatening. Use it! :)” - I am glad to say I have kept the good friends around me and even made new ones from my time at Girls State and other events. Although we haven’t been able to meet up as much due to work/internships/travel, I am looking forward to school to be able to see everyone again! I like to think that I am happy, but maybe that’s just a Slytherin thing (see previous post). And yeah, stay humble kid, but also stand up for yourself -someone will have to make those decisions for robotics that not every single person will agree with. And sure, looking like a 12 year old may come in handy, who knows?
“YOU WILL DO FINE NO MATTER WHAT. (But i hope i become robotics captain).” - Gee, obsessed much?
“Even if I don't become exactly that, I want to start a tech camp for young girls so programs like GWC will be a thing of the past. These goals matter to me because I truly love the tech culture and people. I think they have a lot of potential to help the world.” - Done! Proud to say that teaching Girls Who Code at the local library every week was the highlight of my Saturday during the school year. After teaching an additional microbit summer course, year two for GWC is about to begin. Would it be shameless to say that one of the perks of teaching is tagging along on the tech field trips for free food and swag? A year later, with more tech conferences, volunteer events, classes, hackathons, and community meetups attended, I have a slew of lanyards and attendee badges hanging on my doorknob. Do I feel like an enlightened tech evangelist? Not really. Have I met many cool and passionate people in tech that will reply to your question at the drop of a hat and email you 25 different links to scholarships, internships, and hackathons? Yes. The strong, collaborative spirit of the tech community is one of the reasons why it’s so enjoyable to be a part of, and I have a lot of faith in some concrete solutions rising out of all the linkedin spam.
“I will remember what I have to offer by looking back at my accomplishments and setting even further goals for the future. Maybe affecting the world sounds a bit arrogant, but I can start out with the community :) If time travel works out and I see you in the future, I hope you finally get those braces out. YOU WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOURSELF AND OTHERS.” - Yeah, that’s the vague, insecure, teenage angsty me. I cringe. One year later, I’m a little more cynical, still in want of time travel, and hiding from the Senior Portrait takers until my braces finally come out.
“thank dumbledore.” - On book 6 /7! #cedricdiggorylives
“be
-Kaitlyn (15 yrs old)” - “be” may be a secret code for something -in any case I forgot :) Sincerely, Kaitlyn (17 yrs old in 24 days)
Overall, from reading this year-old letter, the idealism and ambition of youth really stand out to me. One year ago, I was “set” on my path in computer science, gunning for the position of robotics team captain, and yelling at myself to become a virtuous and kind person who is confident, strong, and generous. One year later, I question whether software is the path I want to pursue, I question if the robotics team will place near last yet again under my direction, and I question whether I can be a good human being at the very least.
Now, I have my driver’s lesson, my first internship completed, and my wisdom teeth pulled out. Rather than ticking off all the checkboxes my 15 year old self set for me, I now see a dynamic to-do list that grows with each new experience, reaching towards directions that I have never imagined before. Thank dumbledore.
yess go kaitlyn<3 the absolute best human being
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