CS Kickstart
A one-week CS exploration summer camp for incoming women and nonbinary freshmen at UC Berkeley.
Introducing CS Kickstart
CS Kickstart is a free, student-run summer program created by women in computer science at UC Berkeley for incoming women and nonbinary freshmen.
Over one immersive week on campus, participants build community, explore programming through hands-on workshops and mentorship, and connect with industry. Students of any major are welcome. No prior experience required.
Our goal: make computer science approachable, creative, and empowering while helping students start Berkeley with confidence.
Our Mission
CS Kickstart is committed to closing the gender gap in technology by supporting women and nonbinary students at the start of their Berkeley journey.
Research shows that girls begin with the same interest in computer science as boys, yet are far less likely to pursue tech careers over time. At the same time, according to McKinsey, 66% of tech philanthropy supports K–12 programs, while only 3% goes toward college-level initiatives.
CS Kickstart helps bridge these gaps. Through our free, week-long program at UC Berkeley, participants learn foundational programming, explore diverse tech careers, and join a community working to expand representation and opportunity in tech.
Our Impact
Since its founding, CS Kickstart has helped hundreds of students begin their journey in computer science at UC Berkeley. What started as a small, student-led initiative has grown into a program with lasting impact on diversity in tech.
👥
800+
participants across 15 cohorts since 2011
👩💻
100+
students in our largest cohort (2023)
🔄
33%
of the first cohort switched into computer science from other majors
📚
96%
of participants reported feeling more prepared for their first CS course
🚀
95%
said the program increased their motivation to pursue computer science
From 2011 to 2013, the program helped double the number of women CS majors at Berkeley
Nearly all participants recommend CS Kickstart.
CS Kickstart’s impact extends beyond Berkeley.
In 2016, the University of Michigan launched a similar program inspired by CS Kickstart, and continued support from the UC Berkeley EECS community, including a grant recognizing our diversity efforts, has helped the program grow and reach more students.
Today, CS Kickstart introduces incoming students to programming, real-world applications of computer science, and a supportive community that empowers women and underrepresented students to thrive in tech.
Student Testimonials
Yunshu Zhang, CS Kickstart 2025
CSK was such a great experience for me. I didn’t have much coding experience before Berkeley, so the program gave me a solid foundation and the confidence to take computing related classes here. I was also introduced to many tech-related involvements on campus, and it definitely helped me adapt more easily to campus culture. Most importantly, I met an amazing community of girls, many of whom I still keep in touch with!
Our Alumni
CS Kickstart alumni are shaping the future of technology.
After participating in the program, many of our students continue on to study computer science and build impactful careers across the tech industry. CS Kickstart alumni have gone on to work at leading companies including Meta, Dropbox, Pinterest, Google, Amazon, and Wells Fargo, among many others.
Discover More
For Students
For Sponsors & Partners
Start your first year at UC Berkeley with confidence, mentorship, and a community behind you.
Your support keeps CS Kickstart tuition-free and accessible, helping close the gender gap in tech by investing in early talent, representation, and community at one of the world’s leading universities.