My Nonprofit Reviews

It is astonishing how one program can transform a fearful girl into an empowered, experienced person ready to make her way into the STEM community. As many girls approach college, they are surrounded by the influence of a male-dominant technological world, and generally think that they would not be able to keep up with their male peers.

MAGIC has given me valuable knowledge at one of the most unstable times of my life. It has enabled me to find my passion in computing despite being outnumbered by male students, and has done so in a constantly positive, encouraging, and supportive environment.
MAGIC has helped me achieve many things during my first experiences with it.

Firstly, it has paved a path of success for me during a time of confusion and indecision.
After MAGIC, I now have a female role model who has shown me that girls CAN pursue their dreams in STEM, with hard work and dedication. Deepa Kalkunte, the very first mentor in my life, has the ideal mentor characteristics- incredibly kind, utterly patient, and she has the unique talent of harnessing young ladies' interests into engaging projects they can learn from. She is always open to questions, gets past confusions, and embraces new ideas. She always can see the promising attributes in me. She draws respect whenever I talk to her; yet, is so close to me I feel as if I can always rely on her, no matter what.

Another benefit of the MAGIC program is that it disposes of stereotypes, and through fun and engaging projects, it builds an understanding of the world around it. Through that philosophy, it helped me understand the technology that so much of our world is based on- from everyday life to work, and economy. The freedom to choose and develop my own ideas with the guide of my mentor with every step- that’s the magic of MAGIC! I felt magically empowered with extra knowledge that I will be able to use- no matter which pathway I will choose in the future.
I could thrive just as well or even better than our male counterparts can.

MAGIC connects girls to mentors who are hardworking women who show that it is in fact possible to make that connection with computing and technology, to gain an understanding of it. MAGIC allows girls to commit to their goals and dreams.

Recently, I attended my last robotics class session before realizing that I was the only girl in the class. Between my first class and then, I had great interactions with the other boys in my class as well as the all male volunteers who conduct the sessions. No, I didn’t feel intimidated at all. It was then that I realized what MAGIC has given me: the confidence to stand strong within a male-dominant technological world. Thank you MAGIC!

Good luck, future mentees- you will love this program, too.