Amelia Abuali
A Role Explanation:
Amelia Abuali was not exactly looking to ECC specifically, but only as a summer job that would be interesting to apply for with One Summer Chicago. With Amelia intending to study Networks and Administration in school while also having some coding techniques under her belt, she decided ECC would be a great experience to learn new things that were quite related to her field. With this in mind, Amelia became one of the main coders in the group in which she was placed.
Notable Achievements:
Amelia with the help of her team specifically designed an app with the intent of helping CPS students. Surprised there was no app for this, Amelia’s team went all in and built an app worthy of a Finalist placement at the Apple Showcase! Amelia’s App landed her and her team the opportunity to present to Mayor Rahm Emmanuel and eventually President Barack Obama! Chief Executive Officer of Apple, Tim Cook, also recognized her and her team’s App on Twitter. Thanks to all of these achievements she is now a Teacher’s Assistant with ECC, a job that she truly enjoys because she has been given the opportunity to help kids just like her!
Connection From ECC to Passion Work
Throughout Amelia’s app design process she feels ECC equipped her with certain soft skills she would not have otherwise had access to help grow, skills including; networking, communication, and especially her leadership skills. “Thanks to the accomplishments I have achieved during my time at ECC, any job I’ve had the chance to interview for is already aware of me and my accolades! For that, I am truly grateful”, Amelia states.
Advice for Future Participants
“To kids joining ECC for the first time, Stay connected, just because you finished the program don’t stop there. Stay connected to your instructors, talk to the judges and take advantage of all of the opportunities because they can lead anywhere”.
Amelia Abuali was not exactly looking to ECC specifically, but only as a summer job that would be interesting to apply for with One Summer Chicago. With Amelia intending to study Networks and Administration in school while also having some coding techniques under her belt, she decided ECC would be a great experience to learn new things that were quite related to her field. With this in mind, Amelia became one of the main coders in the group in which she was placed.
Notable Achievements:
Amelia with the help of her team specifically designed an app with the intent of helping CPS students. Surprised there was no app for this, Amelia’s team went all in and built an app worthy of a Finalist placement at the Apple Showcase! Amelia’s App landed her and her team the opportunity to present to Mayor Rahm Emmanuel and eventually President Barack Obama! Chief Executive Officer of Apple, Tim Cook, also recognized her and her team’s App on Twitter. Thanks to all of these achievements she is now a Teacher’s Assistant with ECC, a job that she truly enjoys because she has been given the opportunity to help kids just like her!
Connection From ECC to Passion Work
Throughout Amelia’s app design process she feels ECC equipped her with certain soft skills she would not have otherwise had access to help grow, skills including; networking, communication, and especially her leadership skills. “Thanks to the accomplishments I have achieved during my time at ECC, any job I’ve had the chance to interview for is already aware of me and my accolades! For that, I am truly grateful”, Amelia states.
Advice for Future Participants
“To kids joining ECC for the first time, Stay connected, just because you finished the program don’t stop there. Stay connected to your instructors, talk to the judges and take advantage of all of the opportunities because they can lead anywhere”.
Miguel Ramirez
Role Explanation:
Miguel worked for Rush University Medical Center and had a positive experience. His favorite experience of ECC was bootcamp and getting to build professional networks, and increase team building skills with many new people. His first app was called “RCSIP.” It made life easier for doctors finding documents and important information. One of the objectives was to redesign the app to make it accessible for more hospitals.
Notable Achievements:
His experience was very interesting because working with a team of app developers required learning new coding information. Miguel had guidance from his instructors, but was overall free to choose which problems to solve. His role as a main coder. ECC was fun and reliable. During the time in the program, some lines of code that he was unfamiliar with Apple specialists were there every step of the way to help out. Miguel’s favorite part was working with a team and seeing other people’s points of view.
Advice for future Participants:
His advice is “Pay attention always and remember people will help you. My most important accomplishment is making a very helpful app for the hospital. I know this work I’ve done can make it easier on doctors and possibly even save lives.”
Connection From ECC to Passion Work
Miguel also did outside studying to make himself more knowledge about app development. He plans to go into Public Health. Networking with ECC has given him the tools to access whatever field he sees fit because ECC has built connections.
Miguel worked for Rush University Medical Center and had a positive experience. His favorite experience of ECC was bootcamp and getting to build professional networks, and increase team building skills with many new people. His first app was called “RCSIP.” It made life easier for doctors finding documents and important information. One of the objectives was to redesign the app to make it accessible for more hospitals.
Notable Achievements:
His experience was very interesting because working with a team of app developers required learning new coding information. Miguel had guidance from his instructors, but was overall free to choose which problems to solve. His role as a main coder. ECC was fun and reliable. During the time in the program, some lines of code that he was unfamiliar with Apple specialists were there every step of the way to help out. Miguel’s favorite part was working with a team and seeing other people’s points of view.
Advice for future Participants:
His advice is “Pay attention always and remember people will help you. My most important accomplishment is making a very helpful app for the hospital. I know this work I’ve done can make it easier on doctors and possibly even save lives.”
Connection From ECC to Passion Work
Miguel also did outside studying to make himself more knowledge about app development. He plans to go into Public Health. Networking with ECC has given him the tools to access whatever field he sees fit because ECC has built connections.
Sara Beth
Role Explanation
Sara got connected to ECC through her high school computer science instructor, he invited her to the program. The roles she played when designing the app were creative designer & coder. Her being mainly interested in coding while also having a polished coding background allowed her to be a valuable asset to her team!
Notable Achievements
The first app she created was a game called “BTS Pong”. This prototype is similar to the Tetris game. Her experience while creating this app process did get overwhelming but was well worth the experience. This game took two days to complete! Her biggest accomplishment from ECC has been becoming a teacher assistant for computer science. Being able to teach others has given Sara the confidence to come out of her shell. She also was able to present another one of her apps at the Apple Showcase!
Connection from ECC to Passion-Work
Sara’s favorite part about ECC is being able to network, while also being able to pursue computer science. App building for Sara has also aided her in becoming more aware of her time management skills, while also enhancing her technical skills. With this being the field she would like to go into, being able to teach others as a part of ECC, has given Sara the confidence to come out of her shell!
Advice for Future Participants
“Stick with ECC, you never know what opportunities are waiting for you”
Sara got connected to ECC through her high school computer science instructor, he invited her to the program. The roles she played when designing the app were creative designer & coder. Her being mainly interested in coding while also having a polished coding background allowed her to be a valuable asset to her team!
Notable Achievements
The first app she created was a game called “BTS Pong”. This prototype is similar to the Tetris game. Her experience while creating this app process did get overwhelming but was well worth the experience. This game took two days to complete! Her biggest accomplishment from ECC has been becoming a teacher assistant for computer science. Being able to teach others has given Sara the confidence to come out of her shell. She also was able to present another one of her apps at the Apple Showcase!
Connection from ECC to Passion-Work
Sara’s favorite part about ECC is being able to network, while also being able to pursue computer science. App building for Sara has also aided her in becoming more aware of her time management skills, while also enhancing her technical skills. With this being the field she would like to go into, being able to teach others as a part of ECC, has given Sara the confidence to come out of her shell!
Advice for Future Participants
“Stick with ECC, you never know what opportunities are waiting for you”
Elijah Copening
Role Explanation:
Elijah has been with ECC for the past 2 years during which he developed his first app, House of Credit which focuses on helping people to begin building their credit. Elijah required a lot of help during its development process, “it took a lot of thought” he said. He described the biggest challenge of developing his app without a team was having to come up with his app's design layout and factoring in the different aspects that came into building credit. Elijah stated, “There were a lot of details behind developing the credit app, all the features of credit, you have to think about costs and bonuses and all of that other stuff”
Notable Achievements
During his second year at ECC, Elijah took part in Advanced Training. “I felt like we were professionals. We got to work at a building downtown, discuss big business aspects, and build our careers, it felt professional. He added, “I liked working with my team, my favorite part of this was presenting our ideas at the Apple Showcase. To finally finish your work is the best part of creating an app”. Elijah had the opportunity to showcase his team's work at the Apple Showcase. “My greatest accomplishment with ECC was finally getting to present an app at the Showcase”
Connection from ECC to Passion-Work
“You learn a lot from the resources ECC has to offer like the people they bring in who have jobs in the field they’re discussing. You learn a lot from them coming into the building rather than just having a slideshow or lecture”, Elijah outlines. “I gained a lot of knowledge through ECC”.
Advice for Future Participants
“This type of work isn’t for everyone but it is definitely worth the try.”
Elijah has been with ECC for the past 2 years during which he developed his first app, House of Credit which focuses on helping people to begin building their credit. Elijah required a lot of help during its development process, “it took a lot of thought” he said. He described the biggest challenge of developing his app without a team was having to come up with his app's design layout and factoring in the different aspects that came into building credit. Elijah stated, “There were a lot of details behind developing the credit app, all the features of credit, you have to think about costs and bonuses and all of that other stuff”
Notable Achievements
During his second year at ECC, Elijah took part in Advanced Training. “I felt like we were professionals. We got to work at a building downtown, discuss big business aspects, and build our careers, it felt professional. He added, “I liked working with my team, my favorite part of this was presenting our ideas at the Apple Showcase. To finally finish your work is the best part of creating an app”. Elijah had the opportunity to showcase his team's work at the Apple Showcase. “My greatest accomplishment with ECC was finally getting to present an app at the Showcase”
Connection from ECC to Passion-Work
“You learn a lot from the resources ECC has to offer like the people they bring in who have jobs in the field they’re discussing. You learn a lot from them coming into the building rather than just having a slideshow or lecture”, Elijah outlines. “I gained a lot of knowledge through ECC”.
Advice for Future Participants
“This type of work isn’t for everyone but it is definitely worth the try.”
Leah Jointer
Role Explanation:
Leah was first connected to Everyone Can Code through Marcus Warren, which led to the creation of apps at her site.
Notable Achievements
“Being an Apple Showcase Finalist was her favorite part of ECC. It was a great opportunity and experience to be recognized for all my hard work.” Leah built a strong foundation of coding and was able to create her own app. “Coding is a very specific process and you have to really pay attention to the detail.” Mainly, Leah calls herself a student of coding and has continued to practice and perfect her craft. It was her instructors and teammates advanced knowledge of coding that motivated her to work harder. ECC has helped Leah’s mindset about entrepreneurship and it also made her want to tap into her true future mindset.
Connection from ECC to Passion-Work
ECC has definitely given Leah a constant reminder of her entrepreneurial dreams and goals. I am even working on creating my own app.” “I will never complain when I have too much on my plate because my goal is to eat.”
Advice for Future Participants
Her advice to students is to “always put in work and effort into everything that you do! That’s the only way to achieve success!”
Leah was first connected to Everyone Can Code through Marcus Warren, which led to the creation of apps at her site.
Notable Achievements
“Being an Apple Showcase Finalist was her favorite part of ECC. It was a great opportunity and experience to be recognized for all my hard work.” Leah built a strong foundation of coding and was able to create her own app. “Coding is a very specific process and you have to really pay attention to the detail.” Mainly, Leah calls herself a student of coding and has continued to practice and perfect her craft. It was her instructors and teammates advanced knowledge of coding that motivated her to work harder. ECC has helped Leah’s mindset about entrepreneurship and it also made her want to tap into her true future mindset.
Connection from ECC to Passion-Work
ECC has definitely given Leah a constant reminder of her entrepreneurial dreams and goals. I am even working on creating my own app.” “I will never complain when I have too much on my plate because my goal is to eat.”
Advice for Future Participants
Her advice to students is to “always put in work and effort into everything that you do! That’s the only way to achieve success!”
Jesus Villalobos
Role Explanation
Jesus’ favorite experience with ECC was being able to create apps/games. His first design was called Daily, an event organizer app for his community. Shortly after he created a Snake game. When designing these apps Jesus was a main and essential coder.
Notable Achievements
Jesus’ first design was called Daily, an event organizer app for his community. Jesus feels as though his most notable achievement was receiving the opportunity to do work on this app that could eventually be useful to the community.
Connection from ECC to Passion-Work
But this experience has taught him to have patience, he states that coding could get overwhelming, but the hard work is worth it in the end. Jesus continues to return to ECC because this program has opened doors for his to start his career in software engineering
Advice for Future Participants
“ECC creates opportunities for everyone, it's okay if you don't like coding you can always be a creative designer.”
Jesus’ favorite experience with ECC was being able to create apps/games. His first design was called Daily, an event organizer app for his community. Shortly after he created a Snake game. When designing these apps Jesus was a main and essential coder.
Notable Achievements
Jesus’ first design was called Daily, an event organizer app for his community. Jesus feels as though his most notable achievement was receiving the opportunity to do work on this app that could eventually be useful to the community.
Connection from ECC to Passion-Work
But this experience has taught him to have patience, he states that coding could get overwhelming, but the hard work is worth it in the end. Jesus continues to return to ECC because this program has opened doors for his to start his career in software engineering
Advice for Future Participants
“ECC creates opportunities for everyone, it's okay if you don't like coding you can always be a creative designer.”
Mohammad Aun
Role Explanation:
Mohammed describes his first year at ECC when he became an effective leader by gathering the creatives and coders together to ensure that everyone was working cohesively and making sure the app development process went smooth.
Notable Achievements:
His greatest accomplishment was working at Jones Software and getting to dive deeper into coding by learning new concepts. He liked working with his team and learning something new. “You will get to learn something new everyday and I like the feature of working with technology,” he adds.
Connection from ECC to Passion Work:
“ECC has helped me realize my passion for coding. I was torn between coding and analytics. Coding made me see this is what I am proficient at.
Advice for Future Participants:
”Mohammed’s advice to people joining ECC is to “relax a bit because I used to get really stressed when something didn’t work. Also try your best, this is an internship in which you get to learn a lot of things. Finally, just go with the flow and you’ll get to learn something new.”
Mohammed describes his first year at ECC when he became an effective leader by gathering the creatives and coders together to ensure that everyone was working cohesively and making sure the app development process went smooth.
Notable Achievements:
His greatest accomplishment was working at Jones Software and getting to dive deeper into coding by learning new concepts. He liked working with his team and learning something new. “You will get to learn something new everyday and I like the feature of working with technology,” he adds.
Connection from ECC to Passion Work:
“ECC has helped me realize my passion for coding. I was torn between coding and analytics. Coding made me see this is what I am proficient at.
Advice for Future Participants:
”Mohammed’s advice to people joining ECC is to “relax a bit because I used to get really stressed when something didn’t work. Also try your best, this is an internship in which you get to learn a lot of things. Finally, just go with the flow and you’ll get to learn something new.”
Kenneth J. Newman
Role Explanation
Kenneth joined ECC through a class called Apple Swift that was offered at his high school. On his own, Kenneth developed a rock, paper, scissors game. He managed everything from the design to the coding of the app. His favorite part of developing his app was coming up with ideas that went into the game. ”It was a complicated process because it was my first time coding, but I was very proud to be able to create an app that ran smoothly.”
Notable Achievements
After completing his training in his Apple Swift class, he qualified to be part of the Advanced Training Team at Flashpoint, a Columbia College campus. Kenneth recalls his time at the site, “Being part of Advanced training was fun because of a great working environment. I was able to make friends with everybody. Because of this experience, I would encourage other people to join.” His greatest accomplishment was being part of the process of creating a beneficial app for Chicago. Kenneth’s second app, he engineered with his team with the intent of giving Chicago Youth easy access to opportunities, events, and eventual resources. Kenneth also was presented the opportunity to present his app at the Apple Store on Michigan Avenue where he was able to be one of the main presenters.
Connection from ECC to Passion Work
He says that being part of ECC has boosted his interest in technology, specifically in game development, and has always thought of creating games. “It boosted my interest in technology, Computer Science has moved to be my second choice in my list of majors I'm interested in.” In his second year at ECC, he says, “I would return for a 3rd year at ECC without hesitation. I like working with computers and I want to understand computers more by coding. If I am coding in a fun environment then I feel comfortable being myself.”
Advice to Future Participants
“Get some restful sleep to be able to show up on time. In that way, you can better take advantage of the opportunities “Everyone Can Code” will offer you.”
Kenneth joined ECC through a class called Apple Swift that was offered at his high school. On his own, Kenneth developed a rock, paper, scissors game. He managed everything from the design to the coding of the app. His favorite part of developing his app was coming up with ideas that went into the game. ”It was a complicated process because it was my first time coding, but I was very proud to be able to create an app that ran smoothly.”
Notable Achievements
After completing his training in his Apple Swift class, he qualified to be part of the Advanced Training Team at Flashpoint, a Columbia College campus. Kenneth recalls his time at the site, “Being part of Advanced training was fun because of a great working environment. I was able to make friends with everybody. Because of this experience, I would encourage other people to join.” His greatest accomplishment was being part of the process of creating a beneficial app for Chicago. Kenneth’s second app, he engineered with his team with the intent of giving Chicago Youth easy access to opportunities, events, and eventual resources. Kenneth also was presented the opportunity to present his app at the Apple Store on Michigan Avenue where he was able to be one of the main presenters.
Connection from ECC to Passion Work
He says that being part of ECC has boosted his interest in technology, specifically in game development, and has always thought of creating games. “It boosted my interest in technology, Computer Science has moved to be my second choice in my list of majors I'm interested in.” In his second year at ECC, he says, “I would return for a 3rd year at ECC without hesitation. I like working with computers and I want to understand computers more by coding. If I am coding in a fun environment then I feel comfortable being myself.”
Advice to Future Participants
“Get some restful sleep to be able to show up on time. In that way, you can better take advantage of the opportunities “Everyone Can Code” will offer you.”
Andrew Tolentino
Role explanation:
Andrew got connected through ECC by his local organization that taught tech courses and was ultimately referred by the director of the program. Andrew’s first ECC experience was at 2112 Chicago, a film, music and tech incubator. Andrew’s team developed an app that helped produce resources for dance studios and art galleries for aspiring artists in the Chicago-land area. “My experience was gratifying because I learned a lot on my own.” The work hours were flexible because the main focus was to get the work done. During the app development, Andrew took on the role of a coder. Andrew talks about the various support there was at his site such as focus groups that helped with data entry and app design, as well as a group of interns who helped coordinate and split the workload. The main soft skill that he learned is effective communication such as breaking down technical terminology to people who are not familiar with technology. He has also gained more coding skills like state management which is the management of code to make the view cleaner with less clutter.
Notable Achievements:
“The best accomplishment is building my own application with a team and at the same time, making the clients happy.” Andrew continues, “It’s motivating for me to maintain the customer relationship because I’m happy when my clients have what they want.” ECC has influenced his future by getting better at what he’s doing. He says It allowed him to apply the things he’s learned in school. “It’s awesome to see the knowledge come into fruition. I’m also happy to be able network with so many incredible individuals who have a wealth of knowledge.” He states.
Advice for Future Participants
Andrew’s advice to the new ECC members, “If you’re new to coding, you should not be afraid to tackle tasks. Embrace your failures because you will learn from them because there are many resources who are willing to help you succeed.”
Andrew got connected through ECC by his local organization that taught tech courses and was ultimately referred by the director of the program. Andrew’s first ECC experience was at 2112 Chicago, a film, music and tech incubator. Andrew’s team developed an app that helped produce resources for dance studios and art galleries for aspiring artists in the Chicago-land area. “My experience was gratifying because I learned a lot on my own.” The work hours were flexible because the main focus was to get the work done. During the app development, Andrew took on the role of a coder. Andrew talks about the various support there was at his site such as focus groups that helped with data entry and app design, as well as a group of interns who helped coordinate and split the workload. The main soft skill that he learned is effective communication such as breaking down technical terminology to people who are not familiar with technology. He has also gained more coding skills like state management which is the management of code to make the view cleaner with less clutter.
Notable Achievements:
“The best accomplishment is building my own application with a team and at the same time, making the clients happy.” Andrew continues, “It’s motivating for me to maintain the customer relationship because I’m happy when my clients have what they want.” ECC has influenced his future by getting better at what he’s doing. He says It allowed him to apply the things he’s learned in school. “It’s awesome to see the knowledge come into fruition. I’m also happy to be able network with so many incredible individuals who have a wealth of knowledge.” He states.
Advice for Future Participants
Andrew’s advice to the new ECC members, “If you’re new to coding, you should not be afraid to tackle tasks. Embrace your failures because you will learn from them because there are many resources who are willing to help you succeed.”
Daisianee Minenger
Role explanation:
She has been a part of ECC for two years and lives in the Logan Square neighborhood. Daisiannee got connected to ECC through After school matters. This program gave her the opportunity to create two apps. The first app she created was a music app for young Musicians and entrepreneurs to showcase their work. The second app she designed was a fashion app where she provided her users with a virtual stylist.
Connection from ECC to Passion Work
The role she played when creating the app was the creative designer. ECC has given Daisianee the opportunity to learn how to code, improve her professionalism, while also giving her the opportunity to learn videography. Learning videography led her to producing her first video. Through networking, Daisianne was able to book DJ shows through ECC.
Advice for Future Participants
Her advice to anyone interested in joining ECC is “Have an open mind, you never know where this program may take you”
She has been a part of ECC for two years and lives in the Logan Square neighborhood. Daisiannee got connected to ECC through After school matters. This program gave her the opportunity to create two apps. The first app she created was a music app for young Musicians and entrepreneurs to showcase their work. The second app she designed was a fashion app where she provided her users with a virtual stylist.
Connection from ECC to Passion Work
The role she played when creating the app was the creative designer. ECC has given Daisianee the opportunity to learn how to code, improve her professionalism, while also giving her the opportunity to learn videography. Learning videography led her to producing her first video. Through networking, Daisianne was able to book DJ shows through ECC.
Advice for Future Participants
Her advice to anyone interested in joining ECC is “Have an open mind, you never know where this program may take you”
Monica Brown
Role Explained:
Monica Brown was first placed in her school’s Apple Swift Program, where she learned the basics and foundation of coding. After getting the chance to experience the program she decided to continue inside the program. The first place Monica was placed in was the Advanced Placement program. “It was fun and I loved the people and coding.”
Notable Achievements:
Monica’s favorite part of ECC was showcasing the app in the Apple Showcase. “The coding part was easy but designing the app was hard.” Monica acted as a coder and a designer. Thinking of an idea was probably the hardest part of the summer program. “Designing the app, and the colors that we chose were very fun.”
Connection from ECC to Passion Work:
Monica continually returns to the ECC program due to the new opportunities that she attains from the program. Monica was shaped by the everyone can code program because she codes a lot more than she would have and finds a lot more interest in it.
Advice for Future Participants
“Be open minded, you never know how an experience will shape you!”
Monica Brown was first placed in her school’s Apple Swift Program, where she learned the basics and foundation of coding. After getting the chance to experience the program she decided to continue inside the program. The first place Monica was placed in was the Advanced Placement program. “It was fun and I loved the people and coding.”
Notable Achievements:
Monica’s favorite part of ECC was showcasing the app in the Apple Showcase. “The coding part was easy but designing the app was hard.” Monica acted as a coder and a designer. Thinking of an idea was probably the hardest part of the summer program. “Designing the app, and the colors that we chose were very fun.”
Connection from ECC to Passion Work:
Monica continually returns to the ECC program due to the new opportunities that she attains from the program. Monica was shaped by the everyone can code program because she codes a lot more than she would have and finds a lot more interest in it.
Advice for Future Participants
“Be open minded, you never know how an experience will shape you!”