Introducing U-RISE – Unconventional Routes into Computing: Re-Imagining Skills & Entry
| By Fawzia Kara-Isitt |
I’m delighted and honoured to launch a new section in the ACM-W Newsletter: U-Rise (Unconventional Routes into Computing: Re-Imagining Skills and Entry) this month. The aim of this series is simple but powerful: to feature women who embolden and encourage others by showing that anything is possible.
The stories of our ‘sheros’ are about the sharp tangents they have taken in life towards the field of computer science. There is no single “correct” path into computing. Many inspiring women in our field have arrived here through unexpected turns, chance opportunities, divine timing, accidental stumbles, sudden career pivots, personal challenges, or even late discoveries of a new and ever-evolving hobby or passion. Just as “all roads lead to Rome,” so too can many different routes lead to computer science.
This exciting series will highlight real journeys: uncovering stories of dynamic women who found their way into computing through nontraditional paths rather than predetermined degrees, diplomas, or certifications. We will offer insights and advice by sharing wisdom from those who made bold switches – whether intentionally or unexpectedly – and learning about how it happened, what motivated them, the obstacles they faced, and what they gained from the experience.
We’ll also ask the tough questions: Do they see themselves differently now? Do they have any regrets? What do they miss from the life they left behind? What has been their journey’s best (and the hardest) part? What personal advice do they have for those about to make the switch or who are just starting? Alongside this, we will spotlight opportunities and share resources, programs, and upcoming chances for women who are considering a move into computer science or advancing further. From time to time, we’ll also run short polls to hear your voices, opinions, and experiences.
Think of this section as a blend of investigative storytelling and practical guidance. We’ll interview role models and revisit inspiring figures like Margaret Hamilton, whose story in the late 1960s shows how an outsider from mathematics and philosophy pivoted into programming after taking a temporary job to support her husband’s studies. That “side job” became a new discipline, as she led the team that developed the onboard flight software that ultimately saved Apollo 11 when unexpected alarms went off. This was before “software engineering” was even a recognised term, one that Hamilton herself helped coin to legitimise the discipline.
I shall also share my story, including the plot twists that brought me into this field. Sometimes our unconventional routes are precisely what we need: the Universe nudges us towards new paths that activate fresh neurons, build resilience, spark creativity, and, in my case, I feel, with the speedy ever-advancing world of computer science, even deliver everlasting youth!
Together, let’s celebrate the richness of our different journeys and remind one another that there is no single doorway into computer science. I can’t wait to hear your stories, write about you, and applaud you with our subscribers and readers.
Most importantly, this is a collaborative effort. If you have a story to tell, advice to share, or simply want to explore what stepping into computer science might look like for you, please contact the ACM-W communications committee (acmw-communications@acm.org).
Keep walking your winding route, writing your code, and inspiring the next generation; may your U-RISE be the next one we share!