PASSIONS
Esther Wright, owner of Hilo de Amor, shows off the shop’s one-of-a-kind totes handmade by male and female Oaxacan artisans.
REWRITING THE CODE HOLBERTON TULSA HOSTS WORKSHOP TO EMPOWER FEMALE SOFTWARE ENGINEERS. BY JANE ZEMEL
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olberton Tulsa, a computer science school for aspiring software engineers, looks to encourage more females to pursue a career in tech by hosting an open-tothe-community workshop on March 15, the date National Women’s History Month collides with National Equal Pay Day. Co-hosts are Oklahoma Women in Technology and Tulsa Remote. Holberton’s Megan Radford, instructor of general education, will join Karen Pennington, director of Madison Strategies Group — a nonprofit connecting individuals to education and employment opportunities — to address topics including the gender pay gap, how to ask for a raise and earning opportunities for women in the tech sector. Additional speakers will tackle closing the gender pay gap and work life in a primarily male industry. The event is free and open to the public. Attendees can register at holbertontulsa.com/register. Also this month, a Holberton representative will visit McClure Elementary, Tulsa MET Middle and High School and other under-resourced schools to introduce coding as a career path. “We hope this inspires future generations of female software engineers,” says Libby Ediger, CEO of Holberton Tulsa. The licensed vocation school is named for Betty Holberton, who worked on the first U.S. Army computer in 1943 and helped to pioneer modern-day software engineering. The school’s 20-month programs blend in-person and online classes, ranging in size from 60-70 students per cohort. Most are locals; others are from nearby
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TulsaPeople MARCH 2023
cities, surrounding states or as far away as Atlanta or New York. Career switchers — those who come from other industries — account for 80% of Holberton’s students. “A large population was making below minimum wage,” Ediger says. “We have a wide range of students previously working as service workers and on oil rigs to those with a master’s degree.” Ediger says one misconception is coders are anti-social and spend all day staring at a computer screen. “In fact, you have to be a collaborator. You may have dozens of people working with you,” she says. “You have to be creative to do websites and video games, mobile apps, virtual reality and flight simulators.” So far, Holberton graduates have landed positions at American Airlines, CymSTAR, BOK Financial and Consumer Affairs. The future for software developers here is bright. According to data from inTulsa, local job posts have jumped 116% since 2016; recent posts are up 57%. By 2026, demand is expected to shoot up another 15%, with salaries averaging north of $50,000. TP
HOLBERTON TULSA BY THE NUMBERS Average age: 30 Students ages 18-24: 15% Female students: 25-30% People of color: 30-35%
SHOPPER’S DELIGHT More than 200 Oklahoma small businesses will gather March 18 at Expo Square for the second annual OKGO Market, inviting Tulsa shoppers to discover what’s in store. “Events like this give businesses across Oklahoma a chance to tell their story,” says Erik-Michael Collins, managing partner for TulsaGo, which manages the OKGO Market and a website promoting local businesses. “Many of these businesses don’t have a brick-and-mortar storefront; a lot of them are home-based businesses who would love to expand.” The goal is to bring them face-to-face with customers, he says. “That way they can get a little taste of what it’s like to have a storefront.” Last year’s market included not only Tulsa County businesses but also those statewide, and this month’s market is growing from representing 29 cities to 56, Collins says. In addition to the benefits businesses get from the exposure and patronage, Collins is most excited about the ability to give back to the city. “Hosting something like this, it’s really good for the economy. We’re generating tax revenue for the city, so I really feel like we’re doing our part.” The vendors are divided into nine categories: artwork and photography; clothing, jewelry and accessories; custom specialty products; food and drink; gifts and novelties; health and natural beauty; home goods and decor; pet products; and “other.” You’ll find everything from handmade cookies, felted toys and glass art to barbecue sauce, macrame and candles. Check out the list of vendors at okgomarket.com. Learn how your business can become a part of TulsaGo, visit tulsago.com/partners. — ZACK REEVES
PASSIONS: GREG BOLLINGER; OKGO: COURTESY TULSAGO
Students of Holberton Tulsa work on projects at the downtown campus located at 15 N. Cheyenne Ave. Inset, Libby Ediger, CEO of Holberton Tulsa.