Meet the 2023 Fellows: Joel Yap
Joel is a Fellow working for Philadelphia Parks and Recreation
This blog is part of a series introducing a few of the Fellows selected to be part of Coding it Forward’s 2023 Fellowship, a cohort of 92 early-career technologists working across federal, state, and local government in data, design, product management, and software engineering roles.
About Joel
Host Office: Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Strategy and Engagement Division (Performance Management Unit)
Hometown: South Bay Area, CA
Current Location: Greater Sacramento, CA
Academic Institution: UI/UX Design Certificate Program
Graduation Year: 2023
Meet Joel
Our team took some time to get to know Joel and hear his reasons for joining Coding it Forward this summer.
Coding it Forward: Tell us about yourself.
Joel Yap: Hi, I’m Joel! I took a more nontraditional path to pursue UI/UX design as a career pivoter. Prior to design, I obtained my B.A. in Sociology from UC Berkeley and have worked primarily in the fields of education and nonprofit management, with a commitment to uplifting underserved communities.
Having transitioned into UI/UX design through self-learning and certificate programs, I continued to delve into projects that align with my values. From developing a mobile app for English language learners to contributing to a college mentoring platform at an ed-tech startup, I aim to use tech for social good. Currently, I’m collaborating with two developers and a product manager to address food access among low-income students by building a digital platform that connects people with 15,000+ food resources nationwide.
I firmly believe in the power of technology to advance equity and foster human potential and I hope to use my skills to create better, more equitable outcomes for all.
CIF: Why are you excited to be a Fellow?
J.Y.: The Fellowship is a unique opportunity to discover and demystify the civic tech ecosystem. Before Coding it Forward, I was unaware government offices even employed UI/UX designers. As an early-career technologist with a strong interest in public service, CIF seemed the perfect fit. Therefore, I’m looking forward to every aspect of the Fellowship, including the one-on-one mentorship with an industry professional, networking events, the orientation in D.C., the visit to our host office, the chance to meet other civic-minded professionals, and the experience of working with other technologists in government to solve real problems.
I’m also excited to see where this experience will lead me. I’m learning so much about the world of civic tech, including service design and design consultancies that partner with government agencies, which is already positively shaping my career trajectory. CIF has even empowered me to seek out opportunities with my state government right here in Sacramento, where I currently reside.
CIF: Why are you coding it forward?
J.Y.: One of the most profound experiences I’ve had was as an AmeriCorps member — the domestic arm of the Peace Corps — for a national literacy non-profit organization. It felt rewarding to work on the front lines of education inequity alongside some of the most dedicated and inspiring individuals I’ve ever met. Coding it Forward resonates with me as it shares similar values and mission as AmeriCorps, and I’m thrilled to join a like-minded group to make government services accessible and equitable.
Another crucial reason I joined: the lack of diversity in both tech and government. Since many of the products and services we rely on today impact people from diverse communities, it’s important to have those very individuals seated at the decision-making table. As a first-generation college graduate, queer-identifying Filipino American, and the child of immigrants, I can bring a unique lens to my team that’s not always counted. In this era of rapid technological changes, it’s important to ensure that equity remains an integral part of the software development cycle and that I continue to center marginalized communities through design.
CIF: What are you most looking forward to this summer?
J.Y.: I’m most looking forward to partnering with the Parks and Recreation’s Strategy and Engagement Division (Performance Management Unit) at the City of Philadelphia as a UI/UX Designer. I’ll be working with a team consisting of a project manager, data analyst, content designer, business analyst, and developer to improve internal communications outcomes for 1,700+ of the department’s staff. Throughout the ten weeks, I’m excited to delve into existing user research to address complex, unmet problems, apply a design framework to streamline my workflow, employ best practices to foster effective communication and collaboration within my team, and work towards building an innovative solution that will delight our intended audience.
CIF: What did you want to be when you grew up? Why?
J.Y.: I aspired to be the next Oprah or one of her special correspondents, Lisa Ling. I always found the topics on her show, particularly those on social issues, fascinating. Much like Lisa, I wanted to travel the world and share captivating stories through media. I took partial steps towards fulfilling that dream by studying sociology and immersing myself in international experiences (like the one below), but have yet to embrace a media career as a serious pursuit. I’d love to someday create a podcast or blog shedding light on issues at the intersection of design, society, and tech in a creative way.
CIF: What is a fun fact about yourself?
J.Y.: I love to dance! Growing up in the S.F. Bay Area within Asian American communities, dance — particularly hip hop — was ingrained in our culture. From watching competitions across California to participating in groups myself throughout school, dance has been a source of inspiration, creativity, and community. Even during my study abroad experience in China, I, alongside two other classmates, served up some Beyoncé realness in the ROC by dancing to “Single Ladies” at Fudan Idol for fun and won second place. Whether at home or out in public, you can bet I’d have no qualms about busting a move when a good song starts playing.
Applications for our 2024 Fellowship will open in the fall. Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know when applications will go live.
