Utah woman helping create diversity, inclusion in tech industry
Sep 29, 2022, 6:43 AM
SALT LAKE CITY — As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, a Utah woman is creating a space for more diversity in the tech industry.
Juliette Bautista is a mom and educator with an engineering and computer science background.
She moved to Utah from Peru four years ago when her daughter needed medical treatment and soon learned there wasn’t a place for Latino kids and those with special needs to learn how to code.
So she opened an afterschool program called Club Ability.
These students are the future of tech thanks to Bautista’s vision.
“You need to inspire,” she said. “You need to create your network at a young age.”
Since opening Club Ability in 2019, Bautista has taught 500 Latino kids and those with special needs how to code.
She’s teamed up with local tech companies providing computers, software and space.
“We have the knowledge and expertise for technology and the love to support them,” Bautista said.
Bautista said exposing kids to STEM subjects early on will hopefully open their minds to making it a career.
She said the tech industry can benefit from a diverse workforce.
“We want to see more Latinos here in this space,” Bautista said. “It’s so important for these students.”
Club Ability is also extending its reach to adults, designing basic computer classes for parents who speak Spanish. That way parents can get a better grasp of what their child is learning and can take a more active role in it.
To learn more about Club Ability, click here.
