Her Story
About Paola
Paola Sanchez serves as Lead Educator at Youth Code Jam in San Antonio, Texas, a role she began after graduating with an Associates in Computer Science from Alamo Colleges in 2014. In this position, she teaches Title I students computer literacy and coding for video games, helping bridge the gap for those she describes as tablet babies by building foundational skills on laptops. Her path began with early exposure to computers and self-taught HTML coding, followed by traditional art school and competitive gaming that led her to pursue video game design after playing Gears of War. She was president of Women in Technology during college, earned an Epic Games certificate in video game design and level design, and led an all-women team to three straight Video Game Jam victories, later earning recognition as Best Indie Game Developers in Texas. Earlier, in 2008, she won a Spite TV contest out of 10,000 entrants as the sole Latina woman selected. Sanchez has also served as an artist in residence for UTSA, mentored high school students in summer camps and girls that code clubs, painted live for nonprofit fundraisers, and supported the School of Comics. Her experiences as a gamer and artist inform her commitment to creating opportunities for women and youth in technology and the arts.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Paola
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Focus on yourself and come up with a pathway. Take as many opportunities as you can. Find help and resources, create a community. Always come up with a plan and end goal. Focus on your portfolio and get really good at one thing at a time. Surround yourself with people that enjoy the things you like.
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