CafeConnect

Inspiration

As women in STEM, we understand the struggles that come along when looking for a job. It’s intimidating to set up coffee chats and challenging to connect with recruiters. The recruiting process can feel like you are never given a fair chance to showcase yourself and the wholistic shot by employers and feel shut out sometimes simply by reading an intimidating job description. This daunting process can also shy away a wide range of people reducing the applicant pool.

What it does

CafeConnect, a Swift + SwiftUI iOS app, aims to transform STEM recruitment by creating a personalized and inviting matching experience. Prospective employees enjoy a seamless journey as they explore transparent company profiles, gaining insights into cultures that resonate with their values. On the employer side, CafeConnect empowers recruiters with comprehensive candidate profiles, enriched by insightful audio responses to a company-specific question. This innovative matching process serves as a communication gateway for fostering professional connections through coffee chats, while strategically implementing features to actively mitigate implicit biases. From personalized company insights for candidates to evaluations fostering genuine connections for recruiters, CafeConnect is redefining STEM recruitment with a commitment to making it more personable and less intimidating for everyone involved.

How we built it

CafeConnect was crafted using Swift and SwiftUI to ensure a seamless, user-friendly experience. The app leverages Apple’s AVAudioPlayerNode’s pitch modification feature for unbiased audio playback in the recruiter/company view and incorporates a fully functioning mockup of Apple's NaturalLanguage framework’s NLTagger class for the Job Description Revamper feature, which lemmatizes a company’s job posting and provides a revamped description that replaces discouraging language with inclusive language. Our development process also prioritized creating an engaging interface, utilizing swiping animations to enhance user interactions. In the design phase, we utilized Figma and Adobe Illustrator's generative AI vector graphic building tools to custom-tailor our app's art, injecting creativity and precision into every element.

Challenges we ran into

Building CafeConnect came with its share of challenges. Implementing the audio playback features with AVAudioPlayerNode required careful consideration to eliminate biases by altering their voice. Our endeavor wasn't merely about implementing basic playback; it was about ensuring a bias-free experience for all users. This entailed a comprehensive examination of potential biases that could arise during audio playback, ranging from subtle volume discrepancies to nuanced distortion issues. Addressing these concerns required research about the potential biases and how to technically implement these features. Additionally, crafting an efficient and accurate Job Description Revamper using the NaturalLanguage framework logic presented its own set of challenges, as we aimed to create a tool that truly combats biases in job postings.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Despite the challenges, we're proud to have created an app that not only meets but exceeds our initial vision. The seamless matching process, the integration of virtual coffee chats, and the effective use of technology to minimize biases in recruitment are achievements that showcase the dedication and innovation behind CafeConnect.

What we learned

The development of CafeConnect taught us valuable lessons in addressing biases and fostering meaningful connections. We gained insights into audio processing techniques, the nuances of natural language processing, and the importance of user-centric design in creating an engaging platform. The iterative development process allowed us to refine our approach and enhance the app's functionality. We also gained experience in Swift, further enriching our skill set and empowering us for future endeavors in app development.

What's next for CafeConnect

Looking ahead, we aim to expand CafeConnect's reach and impact. We plan to expand the audience by marketing to a wide variety of students and partnering with local start-ups near the school. Future technical updates will focus on refining the matching algorithm to make it more personalized, incorporating user feedback to enhance the messaging platform and incorporate video calling through the app, and expanding the app's features to apply to the job. CafeConnect is not just an app; it's a commitment to reshaping the future of STEM recruitment. Join us on this journey of connection, diversity, and innovation.