Last week, a collection of staff, apprentices, alumni and students came together for an in-person coworking session at The Frontier in Research Triangle Park.
Our program went virtual during the pandemic like many folks around the country. We’ve adapted to building a strong online community but we still miss seeing our friends and colleagues in person. Coworking Day provided an opportunity to deepen our relationships with people in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area. Lori Fernald Khamala, Director of Programs at Code the Dream, emphasized the importance of face-to-face interaction.
One of my favorite parts was looking over to the next table to see CTD staff, apprentices, and students all talking and connecting. We all felt so grateful for the opportunity to meet together IN PERSON! We try hard to form a sense of community over Zoom, but seeing people build instant rapport and connections while physically sitting next to each other was an important reminder to me that some things really are just better in person.
Lori Fernald Khamala
It was a particularly special occasion for the CTD admin team. Two staff members, Lucy and Tom, celebrated birthdays the week leading up to Coworking Day! Who says you can’t have cake for breakfast?
Building Community Through Learning
The combination of students, alumni, apprentices and staff creates an environment of learning, no matter what stage in your professional journey you are in.
CTD alum Anastasiia Bateman said that it was nice to work next to other people after months behind a screen.
My favorite part was finally meeting people in person and seeing mentors as well as students. Meeting other people who went through the same things makes you feel like you are not alone. It’s a huge motivation to keep moving.
Anastasiia Bateman
Marissa Lazo, a student in our React.js class, had similar things to say about meeting new people and seeing what’s possible for her future in technology.
I had a blast talking to all the alumni and meeting the team. As a student, it was really exciting and encouraging to be in space with others who have gone through the CTD program and are now working professionals in tech!
Marissa Lazo
