Swetha Prabhakar: Product at Houseparty
On launching an app: "Even if you don't envision yourself in a technical role, you can never go wrong by learning the fundamentals of coding. Take advantage of programs that are designed for newbies and women: General Assembly, Girls Who Code, Black Girls Code, and so many others."
On building a career in Silicon Valley: "Growing up with two brothers and a very supportive father, I've always felt like I could do anything and be anything. However, at times it can be daunting not to have more technical female mentors and women to look up to. I'm thankful that the team at Houseparty is a diverse and welcoming one, and that our COO and co-founder is a woman. But I've also learned that once you build trust and rapport with your male peers, they are generally inclusive and helpful."
Her first line of code: "Well, after the notorious 'Hello, world' that everyone starts with, I wrote the logic for a computer version of the card game Uno in Java."
Houseparty