fromMe2You

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  Our logo!

Inspiration

The inspiration behind fromMe2You actually came from TechNova itself! I've never felt more welcomed into a community full of hackers, and I realized that I wanted everyone to be able to experience the joy that I felt this weekend and that elusive sense of belonging. Unfortunately, not everyone knows where to find events that recognize underrepresented groups in tech. This led to me brainstorming how I could possibly create a platform where people could come together and support one another despite being a minority in their industry. Say farewell to imposter syndrome!

What it does

fromMe2You is a networking platform with aspects of a rewards program as well as a tutoring service! In order to have the best experience, an account is required to use fromMe2You. Users may select which type of account they'd like to create: an apprentice account or a mentor account. The services available to them will differ based on their choice. They will be then prompted to add more personal information about themselves, such as communities they identify with and hobbies/areas of interest. This aids our algorithm in finding and recommending mentors/other apprentices that we believe they may want to connect with. It adds a more intimate element to the typical resume and work experience portfolio you may see elsewhere!

Apprentice accounts have access to built-in chat walls with other users where they can request help, ask for advice or simply discuss topics with one another. The networking feature allows apprentices to maintain contact with a mentor for future reference. In addition, apprentices have access to the Discovery Board, which contains a myriad of opportunities for them to take advantage of! Events like hackathons or positions like 4-month internships will be readily available for you to investigate and apply to!

Mentor accounts share similarities with the apprentice accounts in the sense that they also have access to chat walls and networking opportunities, but in addition they are provided with points each time they help an apprentice or post a useful resource. These points can then be redeemed for swag, provided to us by sponsors and companies who would otherwise be paying for advertisement! This encourages mentors to be role models for the next generation of innovators while also benefitting from their hard work. Who doesn't love free swag?

How we built it

The whole website is built in Processing, but the logo was drawn in FireAlpaca then exported.

Challenges we ran into

The biggest challenge for me was by far time constraints. It was extremely difficult at times to tone down my ideas into something I could finish during a busy weekend. Another challenge that I faced was actually using Git and Github, as previously I have only ever attempted coding tutorials with online IDEs such as Replit. It was definitely difficult to grasp at first, but I'm grateful to have been able to try my hand at such a fundamental skill for programmers.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

The Button object I created was really helpful and easy to use once constructed! It made it a lot easier to create objects that would operate similarly but needed small changes, like different text or colour, in order to be used in more than one place. I will be using it in future projects for sure!

What we learned

My biggest takeaway from building a prototype for fromMe2You is that even if you can't get a fully functioning website finished in a day, being able to map everything out and model the general flow of how the application would work is just as beneficial to your credentials as a programmer. Having a set deadline combined with lots of creative liberty really does get your mind going and, truth be told, I haven't felt this productive in a long time. More time and more complex tools does not necessarily produce a better end product and I feel confident in my abilities moving forwards as a beginner hacker!

What's next for fromMe2You

Ideally, fromMe2You would be able to host in-person events at career fairs and hackathons, especially at those targeted for marginalized groups in tech, such as women, BIPOC and members of the LGBTQ+ community. In terms of the website's actual features, group tutorial sessions and workshops would be awesome to host on the site! It would allow for one mentor to be able to share their knowledge with as many apprentices as possible, as well as teaching in a style many are already familiar and comfortable with!

Built With

• firealpaca
• processing