Codeup Creates a Culture of Continuous DEI Learning with Paradigm Reach

About Codeup

Codeup, a Texas-based technical bootcamp and career accelerator, is on a mission to help people from non-traditional backgrounds launch careers in Web Development, Data Science, Cybersecurity, and Systems Engineering. In 2020, with an internal champion passionate about DEI and the support of Codeup’s leadership team, they decided to begin their DEI Education Journey.

 

A DEI Journey

According to Meghan Desai, Codeup’s People Operations Coordinator, “When you’re starting out in your DEI journey, I think it’s critical to provide employees with access to information. There are a lot of people who are scared of saying the wrong thing, or well-intentioned but unaware of how to actually create an inclusive environment. We wanted to give them the skills and tools they needed, and decided an online training solution would be the best option for our hybrid, distributed workforce.”

After evaluating several options, Codeup was drawn to Paradigm Reach for its flexibility and regularly updated, high-quality content designed by DEI experts. Codeup’s leadership team and board appreciated that the content and strategies in the platform are data-driven, and evidence-based.

 

Codeup began by rolling out the “Inclusion at Work: Managing Unconscious Bias” course to its entire organization. From there, Codeup built out a continuous learning journey that includes:

  • Embedding “Inclusion at Work: Managing Unconscious Bias” into the onboarding process so all new hires understand DEI is an organizational priority.
  • Engaging with new content every quarter, whether it’s a new course, or a combination of microlearnings and resources around an important topic. Recent quarters have explored the topic of allyship generally, and transgender allyship in particular.
  • Hosting monthly DEI discussions centered on the assigned content, using discussion guides and tools provided in the Reach platform.

One year into its Reach engagement, Codeup has received rave reviews from employees.

"We have so many different departments — from admissions and student success, to instructors, to placement, to marketing and the people team — all working on different things. Reach has really empowered every group to think about how they can apply key DEI concepts to their function — how can we make our admissions process more inclusive? How can we make our staff feel like they belong?"

Industry:
Computer Software

Employees:
51 - 200

“When you’re starting out in your DEI journey, I think it’s critical to provide employees with access to information. There are a lot of people who are scared of saying the wrong thing, or well-intentioned but unaware of how to actually create an inclusive environment. We wanted to give them the skills and tools they needed, and decided an online training solution would be the best option for our hybrid, distributed workforce.”

Meghan Desai
Codeup People Operations Coordinator

Codeup's Results

Codeup is also translating what they’ve learned with Reach to the diverse group of students they serve. In Q3 2021, Codeup began building a DEI-focused presentation for students to build their DEI knowledge along with the technical skills taught through our programs. Desai said, “Reach has not only helped our staff learn more about DEI concepts and apply them to their work, it has given us the language needed to be able to discuss those topics with students to better prepare them for their careers in tech.”

Learn more about the impact of Paradigm


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