Why I’m Coding it Forward: Rising Together
When I was young, I received a piece of advice that has always stuck with me: “It’s better to rise slower together than to ascend quickly alone, because there will always be someone to catch you when you fall.” The value of a support system is immeasurable in our personal or our professional lives — whether that means seeking support from friends or shoring up the foundations of a social movement. When we help others help themselves and practice servant leadership, that positive effect ripples out and creates even greater opportunities to affect change in our world. This notion has always been important to me and it has informed how I engage with social impact.
It was in high school that I first learned about the principles of servant leadership. I’m thankful to those who have trusted me enough to give me the opportunity to lead, like the members of the local California YMCA Youth and Government delegation at my school. While I was happy to do the behind-the-scenes administrative work as delegation president, I found that what really made my experience worthwhile was connecting with other students, giving them tips on how to succeed in sessions, and mentoring them outside of the program. I loved being a resource for students and helping them move forward. In serving my organization and community, I felt like I had found my purpose.
After I got to college, I sought out opportunities that allowed me to continue supporting others. Computer Science turned out to be my preferred method of engagement, and I created my own course of study called “Decolonial Computing,” centered on how we can use technology to support and empower marginalized communities. I also joined NYU Women in Computing to support other female-identified students in technology by running events, connecting students with opportunities, and building relationships with other women. Outside of school, I spent a summer as a Girls Who Code TA, where I helped teach an incredible group of high school students Python, JavaScript, and CS fundamentals. And finally, after a semester helping out with Civic Hall programs Delta.NYC, which built pro bono products for nonprofits, and CivicXcel, an accelerator for New Yorkers to develop civic tech startups, I became a Coding it Forward Civic Digital Fellow at the U.S. Census Bureau. At the Census, I worked with The Opportunity Project, which brought together federal agencies and private companies to build products for the American public.
What all of these roles have in common is that they’re technology-enabled and people-centered. I love working with people. I believe technology is an incredible tool that unlocks someone’s ability to scale their impact. That’s why I was so excited when the opportunity to join the Coding it Forward team came up, and why I’m so thankful that I met Rachel Dodell and Chris Kuang as a Civic Digital Fellow.
As Coding it Forward’s Community Manager, I’m creating more avenues to support students beyond the scope of the Civic Digital Fellowship, such as through our upcoming incubator program, CIF Mini-Grants. The grants will give students across the country funding and a semester’s worth of startup development curriculum in order to turn social impact ideas into viable products. We’re also expanding our presence via Major League Hacking hackathons and other direct engagements on college campuses.
In my short time with Coding it Forward, I’ve met so many students across the country who are passionate about social impact. I know by providing more support to individual students, we can do our part in building a broader social impact tech movement. I’m so inspired by their passion and their drive, and hope that I’ll be able to help them achieve their goal of creating change through technology together.
