The Coding Whiz
Zakiya Sims vlogƵ18 is a computer science major on the NYC Campus and vice president of the Pace Computing Society (PCS), which has seen an increase in membership by a whopping 50 percent since she took the helm. This was a personal goal of hers that began all the way back in her first year. At the time, Sims spearheaded efforts to to the clubvlogƵs weekly meetings. Representatives from BuzzFeed, WeWork, General Assembly, UNICEF, IBM, and many others responded, beginning a storied academic career for Sims that would continue throughout her time at Pace.
vlogƵI did a lot of promoting [for PCS],vlogƵ Sims explained to us. vlogƵI created flyers and posted them around the school. Starting out, we went to all of the orientations with a huge display board, put a bunch of questions on there, and gave out swagvlogƵt-shirts and stickers. People love free stuff. It also helped that we told them therevlogƵs free pizza. ThatvlogƵs how we really got out name out there and promoted the club.vlogƵ
Since then, shevlogƵs interned for Bank of America and Harris Corporation, worked with Black Girls Code, and volunteered extensively for Tech Kids Unlimited. But at first? vlogƵWhen I was little, I wanted to be a writer,vlogƵ Sims explained. vlogƵI really liked writing and coming up with stories. It was in high school that I got into technology and codingvlogƵI had a Myspace account, and I liked altering the backgrounds, and all that customization was done in HTML and CSS. I thought that was really cool and tangiblevlogƵaltering different stuff in a webpage and seeing it change in front of your eyes.vlogƵ
Last year, Sims interned for Bank of America as a technology intern, and this year, shevlogƵs interned at Harris CorporationvlogƵtwo very different companies. vlogƵThe financial industry is really fast-paced and itvlogƵs stricter when it comes to guidelines and whatvlogƵs expected of you,vlogƵ Sims told us. vlogƵWorking at the defense company was more laid-back, but still really cool because I was working on products that the Armed Forces are actually using.vlogƵ
All of that began with a trip to vlogƵ Services. vlogƵI went to them and sought out help on how to make my resume better and how to write a good essay,vlogƵ Sims said. Not long after, she landed her second internship by attending one of the many career fairs offered on both campuses. vlogƵI met an organization there called INROADS. They pretty much help students get jobs in any field they want, and they guide you through the whole process. I followed up and eventually got matched with Harris, interviewed with them, and thatvlogƵs how I got the job.vlogƵ
For such a large company like Harris, which has multiple locations around the country, one might assume it would be easy to get lost in the shuffle. Not so for Sims! Recently, she was given an opportunity to pitch an original idea directly to her supervisor. vlogƵHe allowed me to create my own independent projectvlogƵsomething that he wanted to implement at the company. That was a great experience; it made me feel valued, that they actually take your ideas and listen to you and care about what you think.vlogƵ
Sims also volunteers her time with Black Girls Code, a nonprofit organization working to provide education in the STEM fields to young black girls all over the US. vlogƵI helped the girls when they needed help with any lines of code and gave them motivation when they thought they couldnvlogƵt do it,vlogƵ Sims explained, having participated in the nonprofitvlogƵs hackathons before becoming a mentor. vlogƵIt was definitely really funvlogƵseeing the girls learn code and come up with their website all from starch. ItvlogƵs really impressive.vlogƵ
As a mentor and a tech wiz herself, Sims had a few words of wisdom for any would-be coders out there: vlogƵI would say definitely explore the different options out there and be open. Grasp everything with an open mind, and if youvlogƵre into something, donvlogƵt be afraid to try it. DonvlogƵt think that this is way too hard for youvlogƵjust go out there, explore opportunities, and do it. ThatvlogƵs really the main thing: thinking about something you want to do and just doing it.vlogƵ
What motivates someone like Sims? vlogƵI would say knowing that IvlogƵm going to be making an impact on someone. Knowing that IvlogƵll be making a positive impact and really contributing to something thatvlogƵs bigger than me is what motivates me.vlogƵ Wise words!
She recently accepted a job at the Walt Disney Company as a software engineer, and we couldnvlogƵt be happier to hear the news.