If you’re new to the Rewriting the Code community, it might feel like everyone’s speaking a different language.

From ‘teamRTC’ to ‘FAANG’ to ‘return offers,’ these aren’t just buzzwords; they’re pathways to grow, connect, and lead.

This guide helps you understand the terms, culture, and opportunities that come with RTC.

Key RTC Terms Explained

Here’s what you need to know:

  • teamRTC: teamRTC is our members-only platform with exclusive events, job listings, and mentorship opportunities. It’s different from our public website; this one’s just for you.
  • Affinity groups: these are racially-affirming RTC groups that centers the voices and lived experiences of members. These groups include Black Wings, Latinas de RTC, and Tech Natives.
  • Renege: It means breaking a promise to a company: saying yes to an offer, then backing out later. We have more information about reneges and their impact here.
  • Return offer: intern somewhere, and they want you back? That’s a return offer, whether it’s for next summer or a full-time gig.
  • First Gen: a student who is the first in their family to attend college. It’s a big deal, and we celebrate it.
  • FAANG: techy-acronym for the big names in tech: Meta (formerly Facebook), Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Google (now Alphabet).
  • ATS (Applicant Tracking System): A system recruiters use to track, sort, and manage applications. In other words, the invisible gatekeeper between your resume and a human.
  • Behavioral interview: Think storytelling meets problem-solving. You’ll answer with real-life examples like “Tell me about a time when…” and help the interviewer see how you approach challenges.
  • Technical interview: this is where you demonstrate your coding skills, problem-solving, and technical thinking, often in real time.
  • Nontraditional background: A path into tech that doesn’t follow the ‘classic’ route, like majoring in CS from the start or attending a top-tier university.

Why Knowing These Terms Actually Matters

These terms aren’t just jargon. They’re the building blocks of your journey into tech; tools that help you navigate everything from your first interview to your first job. The more you understand, the more empowered you’ll feel.

Explore teamRTC, lean on your mentors, and bookmark this glossary.

You’ve got this, and we’ve got your back. Let us know if you need anything.