Margot Richaud: First Generation Coder

“With code, I was able to create a video game to raise awareness on gun control laws. The video game is called Gun Cleaners, and players use the up and down arrows to collect the assembly’s votes to help pass the gun control bill while avoiding being shot by guns. With a fun and addicting video game, we were able to help raise awareness about one our society’s most pressing problems.” — Margot Richaud

Meet Margot Richaud, one of the stars of our new YouTube Series, “My Code!” Margot is a 17 year-old from New York City. She’s the first person in her family to go to college and just received a Gates Millennium Scholarship for college. Margot plans to use her coding abilities to make a social impact — by educating people about gun laws and space debris — and one day hopes to start her own school that teaches computer science.

Learn more about Margot in our Q&A below and on “My Code!”

Q&A with Margot Richaud:

What’s your favorite subject?

My favorite subject is Computer Science. Ever since I learned how to code Computer Science has become more than just a subject, it has become my passion. I love that I can feed my curiosity of technology and be able to code fun video games, apps, websites, and so much more!

What was your dream job growing up?

Growing up, I wanted to be everything! I wanted to be an actor, veterinarian, dancer, and the typical jobs every kid would say. But the only job I truly remember pretending to be was a teacher. When I was little, I had a small black chalkboard and I would sit my dolls as if they were in a classroom. I would pretend to be a teacher and teach them the lesson I had learned earlier in school that day. I loved being able to teach my “students” and share my knowledge with them.

What’s your dream job now?

When I entered high school and took a computer science class, I realized I want to be a computer programmer. I have been coding for the past four years and I plan on expanding my programming skills in college to be a computer programmer!

You’re the first person in your family to go to college. How does that feel?

I am in the process of breaking my family’s barriers and going beyond their experiences and expectations. No one in my family has ever coded, much less heard about coding! When I told my family I loved coding and plan on majoring in Computer Science at college, they were stunned. It’s scary but also really exciting at the same time.

What made you join the Girls Who Code movement?

I was always surrounded by technology and never understood how it worked. Filled with curiosity, I questioned my family a lot about technology. Unfortunately, I never got any answers due to their lack of knowledge and understanding of how technology actually worked.

It wasn’t until my freshman year in high school that I became the first person in my family to know how to code. I joined the Girls Who Code movement because I loved coding. Even though I knew how to code a little bit in Adobe Flash CS6, I craved for more knowledge. The Summer Immersion Program helped support and encourage me to follow my dream. I may not be fluent in coding but I do have a passion to become proficient at it.

Did you always like computers?

I was always interested in computers! I remember when I was elementary school, my mom would either take me to the park or let me play games on the computer after I finished my homework.

Whenever I used and played games on the computer, I couldn’t stop wondering how it was possible to make a computer function and see all of those cool animations in the games. All we have to do is push the power button to turn on the computer and push the arrow keys during the game, but there must be sooo much more behind it. It wasn’t until I learned how to code that I finally had the answer to the wonders of how computers and video games functioned. Even though I really don’t know how to code a computer yet, I at least know the gist of why computers work!

Do you think coding is creative?

Coding is beyond creative! With code you can create almost anything that comes to your mind. You can code a video game, app, website, and even a robot! During the Summer Immersion Program, I was able to code a robot that danced to “Can’t Feel My Face” by The Weeknd. With code, I was able to create a video game to raise awareness on gun control laws. The video game is called Gun Cleaners, and players use the up and down arrows to collect the assembly’s votes to help pass the gun control bill while avoiding being shot by guns. With a fun and addicting video game, we were able to help raise awareness about one our society’s most pressing problems.

What’s the hardest part of learning to code?

The hardest part of learning to code is not getting it right the first time, but that is a huge part of coding. When I was first learning how to code in Java, I kept forgetting to place a semi-colon at the end of some statements. There will be many times when our code does not function, but it’s only up to you to take the challenge and work to fix the error.

Have you ever experienced stereotypes as a girl who codes?

I go to an all girls school and my computer science class is filled with all girls. However, there are times when I wonder what it would be like to be in a co-ed computer science class. Eventually, I am going to have to code and work in a co-ed environment but I’m glad that I started to learn to code in an all-female nurturing environment.

How has coding made you more confident?

I have learned to be okay with failing. Additionally, I am one of the few percent of women and latinas who know how to code and that is amazing. Being a girl who codes is truly empowering. My programming skills helped me create and grow, making me more confident in my abilities and myself.

Tell us about a time you overcame failure.

I honestly have overcome many failures. At the end of the day, how I got back up is what truly matters. After I fail, I work twice as hard the next time so I don’t crash again. It it my persistence and strong ambition that motivates me to do better.

Which of your recently used emojis describes you perfectly?

💩 ⭐️ 👑 . The poop emoji is the most used in my keyboard haha. I am the one who greets my friends with the 💩 emoji and call them my “poopers”. Also, instead of cursing (which I don’t) I use 💩 emoji haha. The ⭐️ represents me because I think of myself as a ⭐️. I always work my hardest so I can win wear the 👑 .

What’s your favorite piece of technology?

My absolute most favorite piece of technology is my phone! I think it is beyond amazing how I can communicate with my friends, take pictures, play games, and keep updated on the world with just my phone!

Who is your role model?

My mom is my #1 role model! She is the most hard working, loving, and inspiring person in my life. She is a single mother who takes care of two kids, works for hours, and always pushes me to do my best. My mom is the one to put her kids before her, she prefers to give us the best because she wants us to have what she may have not always had. The stories she tells me about her past, sacrifices, and moments of struggle motivate me to have a successful future so I can finally take care of her. Apart from being my mom, she is also my best friend. I have such an amazing relationship with my mother because we joke around like little kids, talk in funny voices, share gossip, and obsess over clothes.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received from your mom?

The best piece of advice my mom ever gave me was, “trabaja duro, lucha por lo mejor, y nunca te des por vencida.” Which translates to: “Work hard, strive for the best, and never give up.” My mom has always told me that the decisions I make about my life will only affect me. If I decide to work hard or not, that will only affect me and my future. Whether I continue striving for the best or give up, it will also affect my future. I only have one life and I must make the best out of it.

What would you say to the girl who thinks coding is not for her?

I would tell her, “Maybe. But have you actually tried coding?” Coding probably seems and sounds geeky, hard, and not something a girl would usually do. Then I would say, “Keep going at it, girl!” Never give up because you find something too hard. Once you get it right, all the struggle will be worth it.

Follow Margot:

• Instagram: @mar.richaud
• Twitter: @MargotRichaud
• Snapchat: @mar_margooot
• Pinterest: @LittleMargot
• Linkedin: Margot Richaud

Interested in learning how to code like Margot? Find a Girls Who Code club near you!