When working in a lab for a pharmaceutical company started to feel like it was the wrong professional course, Chastity Benton changed direction. She had some knowledge of coding and enrolled with G{Code} House, an organization whose mission — bridging the gap in opportunities for underrepresented communities in the tech industry — dovetails with Code the Dream’s. A presentation by CTD Co-Executive Director Daisy Magnus-Aryitey led Benton to apply for CTD classes after G{Code} House.
“If I finished my work early, the mentors were more than happy to help me with any side projects I was pursuing and they pushed me to strive for bigger and better things.”
“I was inspired by Daisy Magnus-Aryitey’s message and mission to help the community reach their dreams in tech,” Benton says. “I knew I had to get in there.”
Benton says “supportive” is the word she would use to sum up her Code the Dream experience, and the support from mentors and other students helped her learn the skills that aided her in her job search. That journey ultimately led to a position as a Cyber Risk Analyst at DHS.
“The mentor meetings were huge for me,” Benton recalls. “If I finished my work early, the mentors were more than happy to help me with any side projects I was pursuing and they pushed me to strive for bigger and better things. It was thanks to their push and motivation that I built the necessary confidence to pursue my goals in tech.”
That confidence helped her in job interviews, and in the willingness to learn new things and tackle problems that she uses in her job.
Regarding her current job, Benton says that Code the Dream’s “extensive learning plan and work prepared me to learn any new skill quickly and effectively.”
“I learned how to google better, I learned how to troubleshoot better, and I learned that there is no shame in asking for help. These have all tremendously helped me in my role, which requires constant learning and self development.”
Asked if she has advice for aspiring or current Code the Dream Students, Benton says, “Go for it!”
“And be prepared for hard work! If you finish any of the work early, push yourself a little more and create a side project with what you’ve learned. Reinforcing your skills and staying on top of the curve is imperative and will 100% benefit you in the long run. You’ve got this!”
