💫Charting New Constellations with Linda Liukas

Last week, I joined a webinar celebrating the European Union's Code Week 2025, Charting New Constellations: How Code, Creativity, and Curiosity Form a Career, featuring Hello Ruby author and newly minted playground designer, Linda Liukas, as the guest speaker .Her perspective on careers as constellations rather than straight lines - and the unique ways young women engage with technology today compared to the 1950's legacy model of “files and folders” - was both refreshing and inspiring!

Here are my five key takeaways, and if you know a young woman interested in STEM or technology (and I hope you do!), I highly recommend sharing the recording with them. It’s a conversation worth hearing!

5 Key Takeaways from Charting New Constellations

1. Careers are constellations, not straight paths. Encourage curiosity over rigid career planning - ask “What are your dots?” instead of “What’s your dream job?”

   
   

2. Teenagers think differently. Current computer structures are outdated ("files" and "folders" are for 1950's offices, not modern girls!) - learning should reflect their creative processes, like mood boards and video edits.

   
   

3. AI and tech careers will evolve. Jobs will change, but they won’t disappear. The key is integrating tech into personal interests rather than fearing obsolescence.

   
   

4. Women in tech need systemic change. More women-led companies and innovations will shape a more inclusive industry. Representation alone isn’t enough - structural support matters.

   
   

5. Build the world you want, not just react to problems. Whether through books, playgrounds, or policy, focus on creating solutions rather than responding to setbacks.