“BWBC offers me the opportunity to learn through practical experiences while contributing to the blockchain community. I am positive that this will be an exciting and productive experience for me.”

My name is Nwogu Ihuoma Esther. I am a young female who has become passionate about the Blockchain. I started studying about blockchain technology recently in my bid to properly understand the concept of Non Fungible Tokens and with each new information comes the need to know more and explore further. There is no certainty to the limits of blockchain and I believe that there are many opportunities that this technology offer, solutions to numerous world problems possibly. I needed to learn more, increase my skill set and actively contribute positively to the change that is currently happening.

Being part of a top tier community that does not just promote blockchain adoption but also advocate the need to bridge diversity gap in the blockchain ecosystem through mentorship, training and networking to include more block women who will contribute in an innovative manner to the ecosystem, would definitely be a great way to get involved actively in the blockchain community.

So I am honored to be interning at Black Women in Blockchain Council alongside other strong smart women on a mission. BWBC offers me the opportunity to learn through practical experiences while contributing to the blockchain community. I am positive that this will be an exciting and productive experience for me.

The post first appeared on Black Women Blockchain Council.

“Working together creates better results than working solo.”

This phrase is so true, especially when innovating new ways to use technology and protect it from potential vulnerabilities. Hackathon offers the chance for people in the same industry to come together and learn from each other’s successes and failures. Professionals get to meet and collaborate, solve problems, share skills and help build better products.

What piqued my curiosity about hackathon is the fact that it gives me an opportunity to showcase my skills and to learn more about tech.

While hackathon is a great way for everyone to meet and collaborate with others in their field of expertise, there’s also a competitive side. Hackathon challenges attendees to exhibit their ability to innovate and create interesting, real-world solutions, using the latest software and technology.

One of the biggest benefits of attending a hackathon is learning new skills and obtaining new knowledge. I might gain more knowledge than I would in six months, because of the learning-by-doing approach employed at hackathons. I can also soak up information from fellow attendees, including ideas one may never have gained in tech schools or bootcamps.

It can be very easy to remain in one’s comfort zone, doing things one knows how to do and never really challenging oneself. At hackathon, there is no such safe space. It will constantly challenge me to push myself and move outside my comfort zone.

From working as part of a team of people who I don’t know, to doing things that one never even thought one would try, hackathon is a great way to discover new talents, passions and skills.

It may not sound like a selling point, but experiencing the pressure of having to come together with people I don’t know and create something entirely new in a brief space of time can be hugely rewarding. I don’t simply get a sense of achievement from completing the task — I also learn how to work efficiently, how to work as a team and how I can put my skills to work in a quick-turn environment.

To learn about blockchain join our community at www.bwbc.io/community and gain access to all blockchain related resources.

Author: Adeola

The post Jumping into Hackathons first appeared on Black Women Blockchain Council.

Hackathons are innovation competitions where people come together to solve problems. According to Wikipedia hackathon is a design sprint-like event, in which often computer programmers and others involved in software development, including graphic designers, interface designers, product managers, project managers, domain experts, and others collaborate intensively on software projects.

The goal of hackathons is to develop a product at the end of the event. Every hackathon tends to have a specific focus;  be it the programming language used, the target audience, and the duration. Hackathon has two primary names. The first one is “hack,” which in the context of software development refers to a creative approach to a challenge. The second is a running contest known as a “marathon.”

“By participating in hackathons individuals come to the realization that they are capable of accomplishing great things.”

What do hackathons expose people to?

Hackathon ignites the innovative thinking of participants. Hackathons do not take any particular form. The topic area for every hackathon is different. Organizers provide hackers with tools they can use, participants are not obligated to use them but it does help. By doing so, participants are learning something new to prepare them for the industry.

Here are some of the benefits of hackathons:

Team

Exposure to working in teams and potential leadership roles.

Team formation is necessary for the success of the project. Participants learn how to work and share ideas with similar minds within a stipulated time. Hackathons are the best place to teach, learn, test, challenge, and share everything. It is for individuals who believe that working in a team can help them improve. When leading a team, patience is pretty much needed as tension is created during brainstorming phase

Networking

In addition to the work and knowledge acquisition, hackathons give a conducive environment to network. Participants meet a lot of people from different backgrounds, mentors and potential inventors they can exchange contacts with.

Confidence Booster

Anybody who hasn’t participated in hackathons is likely to have self doubt and probably think they aren’t good enough. By participating in hackathons individuals come to the realization that they are capable of accomplishing great things.  Usually the best solutions are thought of by teams with different levels of knowledge and also have a lot of creativity and harmony. Their skills are utilized in a group to make the hack successful. Many unleash their skills during these events which boost their self confidence. Different skills are needed at each stage, whether in pitch, ideation of proposal, brainstorms or simple HTML coding.

What type of hackathons are available?

Hackathons are held for a variety of reasons and purposes, thus they may be categorized into a wide range of categories. For this article we will focus on two categories: technical and non-technical.

Technical:  These hackathons are mostly concerned with technical issues. On specific platforms like mobile apps, desktop operating systems, web development, etc. The goal is to build or develop new technologies that will in some manner aid in the growth of the neighborhood, improve business solutions and more. Several hackathons have also been held with the goal of enhancing education.

Examples of organizations that periodically organize hacks are reach (https://docs.reach.sh/), Gitcoin also has cool bounties for developers.

Non-technical: Other hackathons are occasionally held in honor or memory of individuals who have left a lasting legacy in certain disciplines. To connect programmers, developers, and engineers, several hackathons are also organized. Some businesses host internal non-technical hackathons to solve problems in the organization, which can result in the development of new products.

According to a LinkedIn article written by Thyra Allen a non-traditional hackathon “can provide numerous benefits, beyond the potential for crowdsourcing the most innovative solution or opportunity from all of the organization’s mind power.”

Why should black women participate in hackathons?

According to the University of Colorado Boulder Atlas Institute the ratio of women’s participation in hackathons to men can be as low as 1:15.  Black women participation in hackathons can be the beginning of exposure to career opportunities. One does not necessarily have to be in tech to participate. Women with business and other non-tech related backgrounds can equally participate in hackathons.

The opportunities in participating in hackathons are endless. It will increase chances of landing a job after the event. Also, black women will be well vested in the latest technology since a lot of tech “gurus” will be around to share their knowledge and tools they use at work.

It’s an opportunity for black women to refine their presentation skills, collaboration, design and thinking skills. The participation of Black women in hackathons will not only boost their confidence but also help motivate other ladies to come on board and also give it a try. With the ability to think and solve problems, we encourage black women to participate in hackathons more frequently.

Author: Mary

The post You Should Participate In Hackathons first appeared on Black Women Blockchain Council.

“This internship, provides me a safe space, to truly understand, explore with our hindrances, and contribute to the space, build a supportive and rich network of amazing women”

Finding a safe space to learn and contribute in the blockchain ecosystem has been a desire for me as a non-coding woman in tech.

Recent times I have been studying to understand the technology of blockchain, cryptocurrency, NFTs and the metaverse. Theses systems provide enormous opportunities for women to create and in particular Africa to grow and thrive irrespective of the unique economic challenges.

Joining the Black Women Blockchain Council gives me the opportunity to learn from amazing women that have years of experience and have the passion to learn, teach and build a generation that maximizes the opportunities of Blockchain’s disruptive technology. This internship, provides me a safe space, to truly understand, explore with our hindrances, and contribute to the space, build a supportive and rich network of amazing women that are taking bold steps and constantly re-inventing themselves.

It’s truly an honor.

The post first appeared on Black Women Blockchain Council.

“It feels great to contribute to the growth of women in the blockchain space and connect with more people.”

I am excited to be interning with BWBC. BWBC is an organisation that focuses on the inclusion of black women in the blockchain space. Working with the organisation provides me the opportunity to increase my knowledge and immensely add value to the blockchain community.

It feels great to contribute to the growth of women in the blockchain space and connect with more people. I am looking forward to doing great things with the team.

The post first appeared on Black Women Blockchain Council.

“Adding organizations that potential employers will recognize is a great way to get a leg up in a competitive job market, and that is why I have decided to be an intern at Black Women Blockchain Council.”

An internship is a short-term work experience offered by companies and other organizations for people usually students, but not always—to get some entry-level exposure to a particular industry or field.

It is as much of a learning experience as it is work. Ideally, interns spend their time working on relevant projects, learning about the field, making industry connections, and developing both hard and soft skills. Internships sometimes even lead to full-time job offers.

Perhaps one of the most important things an internship can offer is the chance to learn new skills and gain experience. Also to lay the foundation for ones career.

Many organizations consider former interns for full-time positions over other applicants. When researching internships it helps to look for companies that anticipate hiring full-time staff in the near future, or have been known to hire interns in the past. These internship positions have the potential to jump start one’s career.

In addition to gaining skills, it is important to consider how an internship will look on a resume. If two internships are offering similar positions or skill training, one must think about which organization is most reputable.

A well-known organization is preferable when building a resume. Adding organizations that potential employers will recognize is a great way to get a leg up in a competitive job market, and that is why I have decided to be an intern at Black Women Blockchain Council.

The post first appeared on Black Women Blockchain Council.

“My goal is to be able to educate our community and assist in the growth of every woman connected to this organization.”

My expectations of the Black Women Blockchain Council Internship are to build a network of phenomenal people in this space to help me create employment, business, and travel opportunities for myself. I would also like to understand my curiosity about this technology. My goal is to be able to educate our community and assist in the growth of every woman connected to this organization. My expectation is to be surrounded by a diverse group of women who desire the same.

The post first appeared on Black Women Blockchain Council.

“This visibility will only further black women in blockchain because seeing ourselves make powerful moves let’s a sister know that she can do it too!”

Interning with Black Women Blockchain Council (BWBC) means opportunity, not just for me, but for digital technology itself. It means I’m part of a team that ensures that blockchain technology reaches its potential, which is only possible if our potential is part of the equation. It means I’m a builder, contributing to the expansion of web3 and ensuring that it accommodates every flavor of human, and delivers on its promise of barrier free, equitable opportunity. It means I’m actively supporting the vision to promote future leaders, to encourage economic inclusion, and to build the world I want to thrive in.

A real-world application presented itself days after my internship began: at a Consensus2022 panel discussion for women in web3, a young man admitted that he and his team of founders couldn’t find diverse candidates for their roles. There was sudden silence, as those of us whose circles are inundated with just such candidates couldn’t fathom that he’d have any difficulty finding this large pool of talent so evident to us. I made a beeline to him, sharing BWBC’s website so he’d know exactly where to access black women candidates.

On another note, internships are generally targeted towards the young in preparation for their working career ahead. While I’ve “been around the block” as they say, I’m a complete novice (or newbie) in the digital tech world, and to succeed here I too need the opportunities that an internship affords. It’s exciting that BWBC sees age as no barrier.

With quantum learning and A.I. as major players in the medical field, we’ll be living a long time, and women of all ages need to equip ourselves with the knowledge and confidence to navigate technologies of the future. With this internship I can support an organization that is meaningfully changing the landscape by promoting our presence and our excellence, which often isn’t recognized ‘til long after the fact. This visibility will only further black women in blockchain because seeing ourselves make powerful moves let’s a sister know that she can do it too!

The post first appeared on Black Women Blockchain Council.

“I peaked interest in this internship because the goal aligns with mine which is: empowering and educating women about the blockchain space.”

The BWBC internship is an opportunity I have been longing for. I peaked interest in this internship because the goal aligns with mine which is: empowering and educating women about the blockchain space.

The internship means a lot to me as it will afford me the following opportunities:

• To learn more about the Blockchain technology.
• Acquire tech skills that will pave way to greater opportunities.
• Relate and Interact with great mentors so I can improve myself and gain clear cut direction.
• The opportunity to serve the council and contribute to achieving its aims.
• Be able to impact from the knowledge gained from the internship other women who look up to me.
• Gain hands-on experience.
• Build my expertise in the space.
• Networking and
• Gain more visibility.

From the above, it is my greatest delight to be offered this great opportunity which means a great deal for me.
 

The post first appeared on Black Women Blockchain Council.

“This internship will help me deepen my knowledge and build capacity in the blockchain space.”

I am really excited to begin this internship with BWBC. This internship will help me deepen my knowledge and build capacity in the blockchain space. I also get to connect with great women and be in a community that supports black women to sour in this industry which is absolutely amazing.

The post first appeared on Black Women Blockchain Council.