Code2040 Fellow Jorge Garcia Reflects on Welcome Weekend and Finding His Place in the Tech Industry

By Jorge Garcia

I’m Jorge Garcia, a Code2040 Fellow and a passionate computer science student at the University of Florida.

Lately, I've been preoccupied with my struggle to land an internship. I’ve sent out so many applications, it has reached a point where I don’t even read the job roles or descriptions – if I see “C++ or Python,”I just go for it, fingers crossed.

I worry that I’m missing out on essential opportunities and experiences that are crucial to my career development. Many jobs now require some sort of ‘real-world’ experience, but the classroom is all the experience I can reference. This is one reason why I joined up with Code2040, as they’re known to advance the recruitment and advancement of Black and Latine people in tech. I joined the 2024 Fellows cohort to network, advance my technical skills, and learn more about resources I wasn't taking advantage of.

Since pairing up with Code2040, I have gained all of this and more! Welcome Weekend, in particular, solidified my understanding of myself and the path I need to take to achieve my goals. Growing up in a family where vacations were rare, traveling to San Francisco for Welcome Weekend was truly a one-of-a-kind opportunity.

Code2040 Fellows and staff gather to launch Welcome Weekend 2024! Photo courtesy of Jorge Garcia.

I got to meet so many incredible people. Initially, I felt out of place, as the accomplishments of those around me made me feel insignificant by comparison. At mixers, we shared our stories, and hearing these diverse stories was nothing but inspiring. After getting to know everyone personally, the struggles of my journey became more relatable. I can't recall who, but someone once told me, "There are 8 billion different people on earth, and not a single one is walking the same path as you." My worries grew smaller, as I became assured that my limited professional experience was not a result of a lack of ability or effort.

Despite all the different backgrounds and situations we've all lived, it was remarkable how like-minded all the Fellows are. We laughed, danced, and even took it upon ourselves to explore after the event, sightseeing around Chinatown, the Golden Gate Bridge, and taking a ferry under the Bay Bridge! Although it was for a weekend, the relationships that were created felt supportive, strong, and uplifting.

Jorge enjoys In-n-out for the first time with good friend, Joseph Musenge while traveling to visit tech companies. Photo courtesy of Jorge Garcia.

My experience would not have been possible without the trip being generously funded by Code2040, which turned out to be an even greater opportunity than I initially thought. I was able to extend my trip beyond the Welcome Weekend and fulfill a longtime dream of mine - seeing the West coast! I stayed with a buddy interning out there, and took extra time to venture out and explore the Bay Area using the Caltrain, buses, and rented bikes. We visited Silicon Valley, and some absolutely inspiring locations, including inside Google, NVIDIA, and Intel's headquarters, as well as Stanford University! We learned about Intel’s wafer mining process for their CPUs, hiked scenic trails in the beautiful weather, and made friends with some locals along the way!

Jorge celebrates the opportunity to visit Intel headquarters in person while visiting the San Francisco Bay Area over Welcome Weekend. Photo courtesy of Jorge Garcia.

I often hear about the importance of networking and how it can open doors for new situations and experiences. The significance of having connections in the tech industry especially hit home when I realized people I’d met through Code2040 helped extend my trip, arrange a dinner with Google employees, and unofficially provide office tours. Thanks to them, I had a glimpse into what it was like to live as a software engineer at these extraordinarily important companies, and something about it just felt right-I felt a sense of belonging and can now see myself working as a software engineer. While waiting in the cafeteria line, I made small talk with workers who didn't even realize I didn't work there. I didn't feel out of place at all: our shared nerdy humor made me feel so natural among them that I left inspired and with a dream of working there.

Code2040 Fellows pose for a group photo in San Francisco’s Union Square moments before a rollerskating flash mob rolls through! Photo courtesy of Jorge Garcia.

My experience with Code2040’s Welcome Weekend reminded me to look back at my growth, rather than compare myself to those on a different journey than me. Moreover, being a Fellow with these wonderful people reignited my passion for coding. I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of this organization and for the invaluable experiences and connections I've gained. This journey has not only clarified my career path, but also inspired me to pursue my goals with renewed enthusiasm and confidence.

And as my Tio Nico always says, “Échale ganas!”which translates to, “move forward and don’t lose hope!” or “Give it your all!”