Coding and Pizza at Ocado

By Ciara Byrne

In2careers had the incredible opportunity to attend Code for Life’s 10-year celebratory in-person volunteer workshop on July 11th in central London.

Code For Life, is dedicated to delivering free, open-source games that help all students learn computing. To mark their decade-long journey, they offered a select group of In2careers participants the chance to volunteer on a coding project at an exclusive event.

Watch this short video from the team at Ocado to hear more about the opportunity:

The event started at 1:30 PM, and as soon as we entered the venue there were project ranging from software development to user experience design. Of course, there was also pizza. So, this workshop catered to everyone, regardless of experience level. The Code for Life team ensured each participant had a meaningful task.

A highlight of the day was the brainstorming session, where we pitched ideas and formed teams. Watching our concepts come to life with the backing of Code for Life’s help. The hands-on experience, providing insight into real-world tech projects and their potential impact, was helpful for our Alumni. And let’s not forget the free pizza! It kept us energised and our spirits high.

We’re incredibly thankful for Ocado and Code For Life’s support in the Tech sector, as this is an area we at In2careers really want to find more opportunities for our students. We left the event with new knowledge, a sense of accomplishment, and a deeper connection to the tech community. But don’t just take my word for it.

Akshaya

Q: Why do you want to take part in the Ocado Code for Life Coding and Pizza event next week and volunteer on a coding project with them?

A: I am interested in gaining new skills through volunteering opportunities like this and also teaching people with the skills that I have already gained through university and my tutoring part-time job. It would be amazing to be a part of Code for Life which could develop the skills that I have already got and also enhance my CV by doing volunteering experiences like this.

Q: Is there anything in particular you like about Ocado Code for Life and their mission?

A: I am very much amazed at how Ocado is providing these opportunities for students to gain experience in learning about different sectors of computing and also an amazing opportunity for the volunteers to learn technical and soft skills.

Q: Is there something you are most looking forward to? (What do you think you will gain from this?

A: I am looking forward to enhancing my programming skills but also research is something I enjoy doing, so I would also love to be involved in research. Design and Product are some sectors that I am curious about, therefore this is an incredible opportunity to get to know more about these during my volunteering experience.

Krish

Q: Why do you want to take part in the Ocado Code for Life Coding and Pizza event next week and volunteer on a coding project with them?

I think coding is such a transferable skill with applications in so many different careers. For example I’m current studying medicine and lots of opportunities for research benefit from having students that are able to use languages such as Python and R, this is why I’m so excited to take part and hopefully start my coding journey. The free pizza also helps 

Q: Is there anything in particular you like about Ocado Code for Life and their mission?

I think the accessibility aspect of their mission is noteworthy and i think students will gravitate to their material because it has the added benefit of being aligned to the national curriculum for computer science.

Q: Is there something you are most looking forward to? (What do you think you will gain from this?

As a novice I really hope to make a start with coding. If I can leave the event with some idea of where to start, for me that would be amazing.

Haneen

Q: Why did you want to take part in the Ocado Code for Life Coding and Pizza event and volunteer on a coding project with them?

I was excited to participate in the Ocado Code for Life Coding and Pizza event because it represented a unique opportunity to blend learning with community engagement. As a biomedical and healthcare engineering student, this event was a chance to deepen my coding knowledge while contributing to a cause I am passionate about. Volunteering with Code for Life allows me to support their mission of making coding accessible to everyone, which is something I strongly believe in.

Q: Is there anything in particular you like about Ocado Code for Life and their mission?

I really admire Code for Life’s commitment to breaking down barriers in tech education through their free, open-source games like Rapid Router and Kurono. Their efforts to engage students from diverse backgrounds and countries are truly inspiring. It’s wonderful to see how they are making learning fun and accessible, and I’m excited to be a part of such an impactful initiative. 

Q: Is there something you were most looking forward to? (What do you think you gained from this?

I was most looking forward to the hands-on experience and the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded individuals. This experience not only helped me improve my coding skills but also expanded my understanding of software development and user experience design. Additionally, I was thrilled to contribute to a meaningful cause and see the positive impact we can have on students’ learning experiences. 

A note from me

We’re so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Code for Life and facilitate such an inspiring event for our In2careers community. With the incredible support of the Code for Life team, our In2careers students have been able to build important skills and dive into a variety of exciting coding and design projects. They’ve also been able to make meaningful contributions that will have a lasting impact on Code for Life and their mission to make coding more accessible to young people. Our students have come away with valuable connections, insights and skills that will continue to be a benefit as they venture into their future STEM careers. If you’re looking to build your skills and make a difference, we highly recommend getting involved. Visit www.codeforlife.education to learn more.