Level 4 Prompts - Reflect & Write: Reflect on the following prompts and write out your responses. You will use them later on in the lesson.
Taking One Step at a Time, Not Getting Overwhelmed

1. Step-by-Step: Write down one big tech goal you have, then break it into five small, manageable steps. Enter how you will tackle each step without getting overwhelmed.
2. Persistence: Think of a time when you stayed committed to learning something difficult. How did you keep going, and what strategies helped you persist? Enter ways you could use similar strategies to persist in tech.
3. Curiosity: What’s one tech concept or tool you’ve always been curious about? Enter how you plan to explore this curiosity, whether it’s through a course, a book, or building something simple.
4. Lane Identification: What’s something you naturally excel at (a talent or gift) that could give you an edge in tech? Enter how you could use this strength to find your unique “lane” in the industry and how you might focus your growth efforts.

Non-Tech Related Prompts

1. Pacing Yourself: Think of a non-tech goal you worked toward (e.g., training for a race, learning to cook, mastering a musical instrument). How did you break that goal down into manageable steps? Enter how this approach could be applied to learning tech skills.
2. Mindfulness: When you’re feeling overwhelmed in your personal life, what activities or practices help you stay grounded? Enter how these mindfulness techniques could help you pace yourself in your tech career.
3. Growth Journey: Write about a personal growth journey unrelated to tech (e.g., building confidence, learning a new language). What kept you motivated, and how could those motivations apply to your tech career? Enter specific examples.
4. Resilience: Describe a moment when you experienced failure or setbacks in a non-tech context. How did you handle it and keep going? Enter how this experience strengthened your persistence and how you could apply that same resilience to pursuing tech goals.

Level 3 Prompts - Reflect & Write: Reflect on the following prompts and write out your responses. You will use them later on in the lesson.
Don’t Just Learn for the Sake of It; Build Projects

1. Project Ideas: Based on your interests or current skills, brainstorm at least three tech projects you could complete. These could range from building a simple website to developing a small app or automating a task. Enter details about what these projects would look like and what new skills they would help you gain.
2. Portfolio: What are some challenges or problems you’ve faced in your personal or professional life that could inspire a tech project? Enter ideas for projects that showcase how you would use technology to solve these problems.
3. GitHub: If you had to add a project to your GitHub or portfolio tomorrow, what would you want to showcase? Enter a detailed plan for a project you could realistically start and complete within a month.
4. Practical Learning: Describe one way you could put your learning into action right now, even if it’s small. Enter ideas for side projects, volunteer work, or collaborations that would give you hands-on experience.

Non-Tech Related Prompts

1. Passion Project: If you could build or create something completely unrelated to tech, what would it be? Enter how the skills you’d need for that project could transfer into building meaningful tech projects.
2. Creative Outlet: What are some creative hobbies or side projects you’ve enjoyed in the past (e.g., painting, writing, cooking)? Enter how engaging in these activities helps you think outside the box and how that might benefit your approach to tech projects.
3. Problem-Solving: Describe a time when you solved a real-world problem in a non-tech setting (e.g., organizing an event, helping a friend move efficiently). Enter how that experience taught you about project management and execution.
4. Hands-On Learning: What’s a skill or craft you learned by doing, rather than by reading or studying? Enter how that hands-on learning experience could inspire you to take action in your tech learning journey.

Lesson 3: Building Projects to Put Knowledge to Use
Objective: Motivate individuals to apply what they have learned by creating projects that can enhance their tech portfolios.
Instructions:

1. Step 1: Reflect and Respond
   Using the prompts under Don’t Just Learn for the Sake of It:
   • Brainstorm tech projects based on your non-tech interests (e.g., building a website for your favorite hobby).
   • Think of a real-world problem you’ve solved in a non-tech setting and consider how that could inspire a tech project.
   • Reflect on hands-on learning experiences and how they could translate into practical tech work.
2. Step 2: Generate ChatGPT Prompts
   Use your ideas to ask ChatGPT for guidance:
   • “What beginner coding projects can I do if I love graphic design?”
   • “How can I create a project that uses my organizational skills from event planning?”
3. Step 3: Research Tech Professionals and Portfolios
   • Look for women on LinkedIn or GitHub who have impressive portfolios or unique projects. Use search terms like “Web Developer portfolio” or “Software Engineer GitHub.”
   • Identify one or two women whose projects inspire you and note how they applied their interests to tech.
   • Follow their work and see if they offer advice or resources for building a strong portfolio.

Level 2 Prompts - Reflect & Write: Reflect on the following prompts and write out your responses. You will use them later on in the lesson.
 
Pursue Tech Careers and Uncover Hidden Possibilities Prompts
Finding Your Community and Asking Questions

1. Networking: Describe any communities you are currently a part of (professional, personal, or online) where people share similar interests. How could you leverage these communities to learn about tech? Enter any ideas for reaching out and asking questions.
2. Connection: If you were to organize a meet-up or join one for people transitioning into tech, what kind of support or resources would you hope to find? Enter the specific areas where you feel you need the most guidance or support.
3. Mentorship: Who would you ideally want as a mentor in the tech industry, and why? Enter the qualities you value in a mentor and the kinds of questions you would ask them to help you grow.
4. Outreach: List a few platforms (X, LinkedIn, Reddit, Discord, etc.) where you could start engaging with tech communities. How could you use these to ask questions and share your learning journey? Enter a plan for your first steps in reaching out.

​Non-Tech Related Prompts
Finding Your Community and Asking Questions

1. Support Network: Think about a time when you leaned on friends, family, or a non-professional community for support. How did they help you grow or feel less alone? Enter details about how you could apply the same approach to building tech-related connections.
2. Community Engagement: Outside of tech, are there clubs, organizations, or volunteer groups you enjoy being a part of? Enter how the experiences and relationships in these communities have shaped your ability to work with and learn from others.
3. Non-Tech Role Models: Who is someone you admire in a non-tech field? What qualities do they have that inspire you, and how could you emulate those qualities when seeking out or building a tech community? Enter your reflections.
4. Comfort Zone: Write about a time you stepped out of your comfort zone to connect with new people. How did that experience help you grow personally, and how might it inspire you to engage more with tech communities? Enter what you learned from that experience.

Story Time!!!
Empowering Digital Futures: Tia and Dominique's Journey from Resilience to Tech Impact
Tia leaned back in her chair, her hands cradling a warm cup of matcha. “You know,” she began, her voice animated, “I didn’t always think I’d end up where I am today. I mean, I started off as a computer science major. Thought it was the way to go. Everyone around me said, ‘Tech is the future, Tia. You gotta get into it.’” She paused, a flicker of frustration crossing her face. “But when I actually got there, it was a different story. I felt… so isolated. Barely saw anyone who looked like me. And support? Practically nonexistent.”
 
Dominique, who had been listening intently, nodded knowingly. “I get that,” she said quietly. “My path was a bit unconventional, too. I majored in Literature, believe it or not, and for a long time, I was an executive assistant. People don’t usually make the leap from reading Shakespeare to writing code.” She gave a small laugh, her voice soft yet purposeful. “But the corporate world felt… flat. I needed something more challenging, something that made me curious every day.”
 
Tia’s eyes lit up. “Curiosity! Yes, that’s exactly it. You know, when I switched to business and digital marketing, it felt like I was finally tapping into my lane. Marketing, it’s a whole different game—creative, analytical, and so empowering in a digital sense. And teaching web development at my HBCU? That’s where the magic happens for me.”
 
Dominique leaned forward, setting her latte down. “You know, teaching... that’s really special. I don’t teach, but I do mentor. And for me, I wish someone had told me earlier just how powerful self-learning and community could be. I mean, I used to organize meet-ups for Latinas in Tech. It was transformative. Watching young women walk in, unsure about pursuing a tech career, and then seeing them light up when they realized they weren’t alone? That’s what it’s about.”
 
Tia gave an enthusiastic nod. “Exactly! Community matters. And you know what? Fear holds so many of us back. I used to be terrified of not being good enough. I’d compare myself to others constantly. But I realized, we all have our lanes, you know? My lane is teaching beginners. Making things understandable. And while someone else might be designing these super-advanced systems, I’m here helping people take those first steps. We need all kinds.”
 
Dominique’s gaze softened. “I like that. Your lane, your strengths. It’s funny, because I used to feel like an imposter. Like, who was I, a Literature major, to step into tech? But I leaned into my love for problem-solving. Being a Software Engineer is about breaking problems down, seeing the creative side of code, and just… staying curious.”
 
Tia tapped the table lightly for emphasis. “Speaking of curiosity, you know what has worked for me? Being open-minded. Like, really open. Not just to new experiences but also to people. Sometimes the best advice or tech hack comes from someone you’d never expect. It’s like swimming,” she said, laughing at her own analogy. “You can’t worry about who’s lapping next to you. You have to focus on your own strokes.”
 
Dominique chuckled. “Yeah, that makes sense. And for me, I always tell women: find your community and ask questions. X is a goldmine, and so are tech meet-ups. And even if you’re an introvert like me, there are ways to learn and grow. Online communities, webinars… they help so much. It’s about being willing to reach out and learn from others. I can’t stress enough the value of just… asking.”
 
Tia’s expression grew thoughtful. “You know, that’s one thing I’d want to tell the young women we’re hoping to reach with this OER. Don’t just learn for the sake of it. Build projects. Put your knowledge to use. It’s so easy to get stuck in the cycle of learning, learning, learning without ever doing. And that’s what holds so many of us back. Analysis paralysis.”
 
Dominique pointed in agreement. “Yes! Action. I wish someone had told me that, too. It’s okay to not have it all figured out. Tech is always evolving. I mean, even now, I stay up-to-date by working on side projects and following the tech community. But it’s about taking one step at a time, not getting overwhelmed.”
 
They both paused, taking in each other’s words. Tia’s eyes shone with excitement. “You know, our paths might be different, but there’s so much overlap in what we’ve learned.”
Dominique smiled. “Yeah. It all comes down to persistence, finding your community, and never being afraid to grow. We’re proof of that.”
 
Tia raised her cup in a toast. “To empowering the next generation of women in tech. May they find their lanes, build their projects, and know they’re never alone.”
 
Dominique clinked her latte mug with Tia’s. “Here’s to that—and to staying curious.”

​Level 1 Prompts - Reflect & Write: Reflect on the following prompts and write out your responses. You will use them later on in the lesson.
Pursue Tech Careers and Uncover Hidden Possibilities Prompts
1. Being Open-Minded

1. Reflection: What unique skills, experiences, or perspectives from your current or past field could be beneficial if transferred to a tech career? Enter details about how you have applied these skills in your life.
2. Exploration: If there were no limitations, which area of technology would you be excited to explore or work in, and why? Enter as many areas that spark your interest, even if they seem unrelated to your current field.
3. Mindset: Write about a time when you approached something unfamiliar with an open mind. What did you learn from that experience, and how could you apply that same attitude to tech? Enter how you might practice open-mindedness in your tech journey.
4. Growth: If you could experiment with any tech skill without fear of failure, what would it be? Enter the tech skills that intrigue you, and explain why you’re drawn to them.

Non-Tech Related Prompts
1. Being Open-Minded

1. Life Experience: Describe a non-tech hobby or passion you have. How has it helped you develop skills or a mindset that could be valuable in a tech career? Enter details about how this experience has shaped your ability to approach challenges creatively.
2. Adaptability: Recall a time in your personal life when you had to adapt to a major change or unexpected situation. Enter how you approached it, what you learned, and how you could use that lesson when exploring new tech opportunities.
3. Perspective: What’s an experience you’ve had that changed your perspective or made you more empathetic? Enter how that experience could make you more open-minded and adaptable in a tech environment.
4. Cultural Interest: Are there cultures, languages, or traditions outside of tech that fascinate you? Enter how this curiosity and openness to learning about different cultures might help you connect with people in diverse tech communities.

​Lesson 1: Being Open-Minded in Tech Careers
Objective: Encourage individuals to reflect on their non-tech experiences and consider how these can be valuable in a tech career.
Instructions:

1. Step 1: Reflect and Respond
   Using the prompts provided under the Being Open-Minded focus:
   • Reflect on unique non-tech skills or experiences you have that could be beneficial if transferred to a tech career.
   • Describe an experience where you approached something unfamiliar with an open mind.
   • Consider non-tech hobbies or cultural interests that might make you more adaptable in tech.
2. Step 2: Generate ChatGPT Prompts
   Based on your reflections, write prompts for ChatGPT to help you explore ways to leverage your non-tech experiences in a tech career. For example:
   • “How can I use my experience in event planning to transition into project management in tech?”
   • “What tech roles would benefit from my skills in public speaking or teaching?”
3. Step 3: Research and Connect
   • Search for women on LinkedIn, Instagram, or online who have transitioned from non-tech fields into tech.
   • Use keywords like “career changer to tech” or “tech career transition.” Connect with or follow them to gain insight into their journey.
   • Write down two profiles that inspire you and note how their non-tech experiences have influenced their tech careers.