The following account was shared by Dan Turkel, Staff Machine Learning Engineer at Hinge and CodePath volunteer.
After working in machine learning and data science for a few years, I wanted to find a way to use my skills and experience to help aspiring tech professionals navigate their career paths. I read up on a lot of organizations, and CodePath immediately stood out to me. Their mission and the measurable success of their alumni really set them apart, and volunteering with them seemed like the perfect opportunity.
I started out as a Coach in their Technical Interview Prep program, working with students in breakout sessions to solve problems. Later I began volunteering during their behavioral and technical interview weeks, conducting one-on-one mock interviews.
Getting to know the students while guiding them through the tech interview process has been an incredibly rewarding experience for me. Each heartfelt thank-you note I’ve received is a reminder of how impactful a small amount of time can be.
Volunteering with CodePath has also been an opportunity for my own professional growth. I found myself brushing up on fundamental computer science concepts, like binary tree traversal, to prepare for teaching others. It’s one thing to solve a problem on my own, but teaching it to someone else requires a deeper level of understanding that only helps me grow as an engineer.
When it comes to the volunteer experience, CodePath has also been fantastic in providing the support I need to thrive. From info sessions and a teaching mini-course to detailed evaluation rubrics and a Slack group for questions, they make sure all volunteers feel prepared.
I can honestly say that volunteering with CodePath has not only been a way for me to give back, but has also given me the chance to refine my own skills. I’d recommend anyone who’s interested in making a difference in the lives of future tech professionals to give it a try. You’ll be glad you did!