Uncategorized | TechChange | The Institute for Technology and Social Change

By: Lilian Efobi, GDDF Ambassador, Nigeria

As a young leader passionate about quality education and good governance, which are centred on the SDGs 4 and 16 of the United Nations, organising the first ever Global Digital Development Forum (GDDF) 2023 Nigeria Watch Party was a great opportunity for me to create more awareness on the sustainable development goals and how emerging technologies can play a key role in fostering sustainable development.

On April 27, 2023, the Global Digital Development Forum was held in over 7 countries globally through in-persons watch parties, with the main event happening at Washington DC, USA. The event brought together some of the biggest names in the tech and development industry, including Google, Deloitte, DAI, RTI and more, as well as development experts and government officials. Through GDDF 2023, TechChange has played the lead on global hybrid events by showcasing the following benefits:

1. Increased reach: GDDF 2023 was able to reach over a four thousand person audience across several countries. The participants had access to the numerous educative sessions, lightning talks, and more that happened at the forum. Participants from my watch party were not left out from enjoying the benefits of a hybrid event.

2. Increased engagement: This year’s GDDF saw an increased engagement amongst attendees of my watch party in Nigeria.

3. Sustainability: TechChange hybrid event is not just an improvement on the setback by the Covid-19 pandemic, but also a sustainable way in reducing carbon footprint and safeguarding the environment and climate, by giving participants all over the world the platform to attend the forum virtually, without harming the earth through travel and other resources. Hybrid events can help reduce the carbon footprint of an event by reducing the need for travel and other resources.

One of the major discussions at the watch party was the panel session on: “Emerging Technologies for Sustainable Development: Attaining SDGs 2030.” During this session, the panel discussed on how emerging technologies can help address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from climate change to poverty and inequality. Social innovations can target the following emerging technologies in addressing some of the challenges of the SDGs:

1. Renewable energy technologies, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change, which is a key goal of SDG 13.

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning can be used to improve healthcare outcomes, enhance agricultural productivity, and optimize transportation networks, all of which are critical to achieving SDG 3, SDG 2, and SDG 11, respectively.

3. Blockchain technology can be used to create transparent and secure supply chains, which can help reduce corruption and promote sustainable consumption and production practices, which are key goals of SDG 12.

4. Internet of Things (IoT) devices can be used to monitor and manage natural resources, such as water and energy, which can help ensure their sustainable use and management, a key goal of SDG 6.

5. Virtual and augmented reality technologies can be used to promote education and awareness about the SDGs, which can help mobilize global action towards achieving them.

These technologies can play a critical role in achieving the SDGs by enabling us to work smarter, more efficiently, and more sustainably. However, it is important to ensure that these technologies are deployed in a responsible and ethical manner to avoid unintended consequences and negative impacts. They also highlighted the need for Africa to build a databank, which will help in research.

Another major highlight of the Watch party was the Hackathon. This was made possible due to the flexibility given by TechChange in spurring creativity and unique watch parties globally. The watch party was an avenue to showcase amazing technology solutions addressing social problems and encourage these solutions through mini-seed funding. Most of the ideas were aimed at providing eco-friendly solutions, encouraging climate action, promoting agriculture, and creating environmental sustainability.

Some of these ideas are:

AYIKA

A climate WhatsApp chatbot called Ayika which gives people access to their environment and gives people advice on how they can provide eco-solution daily and send environmental reports they have. With this platform, people will be able to use AI and VR together to predict weather in the location where they are, participate in environmental e-commerce platform where they can buy eco-friendly products. It also helps them in encouraging behaviour in recycling, reducing carbon footprint, and keeping environment safe. Ayika is focusing on youths providing entertainment including music, comedy, and games that centre around the environment. They are looking at raising 5000 US dollars that could create an AI to help do this because there is limit to what they can do with WhatsApp.

DRY CARD

Dry Card innovation focuses on the agriculture sector especially post-harvest losses, food waste, food storage and safety. They want to see how to prevent food wastage whereby food can be stored for a longer period, and it can even be stored for exports. The Dry Card is an indicator that shows when food is dried and can immediately be stored in airtight containers which will make it last longer. They want to launch it across the 36 states in Nigeria. USAID, UC Davis labs are giving them technical support and are subsidizing the card for them. This is why the card can go for as low as 2 US dollars.

DMAX BIODIGESTER

With a biodigester, the remains of food, waste from poultry, and vegetables are digested under anaerobic conditions to convert them to gas to be used for cooking. It is non-flammable and cost-effective. The waste gotten from the biodigester can be used for crop improvement as it is an organic fertilizer.

LUMILAB

Lumilab helps customers thrive on change through a clear and confident vision for navigating the future and have met the challenges of innovation many times. Lumilab’s corporate vision is to become the major player and be recognized for technological innovation and solutions and build capacity for skills and collaboration.

CONALLE

Conalle is the biggest search engine on the African content. It is a Digital Marketplace that provides Nigerian and other African creatives a digital platform to license high-quality African centred contents, such as photographs, videos, mock-ups, illustrations, presents, 3D Images and audios, to other creatives, business owners, marketing, advertising agencies, and individuals across Africa and beyond, and these contents can be used for the various design, advertising, and marketing purpose in the real, virtual, augmented, and mixed reality world. Conalle is providing African creative a platform to connect globally. Also, Conalle aims to empower, support, and contribute to the growth and development of the creative industry in Africa, and beyond by prioritizing the needs and interests of the African creatives. It is also a visual discovery engine that offers African creatives the latitude to showcase their art and at the same time, it is also making provision for the publicity of afro centric content.

WASTY WEALTH

Wasty Wealth is making the planet clean, safe and circular through a just-in-time, asset-light, and professional waste collection system. Our solution also bridges the gap between waste producers and waste management players through our digital marketplace.

WINDSTREAM

Windstream is a solution that positively impacts the environment and local communities. By providing access to clean, affordable energy, they help to reduce energy costs, improve air quality, and promote a more sustainable future. They also hope to help create about 4000 local jobs and promote sustainable economic growth.

In all, GDDF 2023 Nigeria Watch Party was a huge success as reflected in some of the feedbacks from participants:

“GDDF 2023 is to bridge the gap between emerging technologies and SDGs. We want to make sure that emerging technologies will play a role in the goals set for 2030. There were 7 major contents – sustainability, originality, business model, technology used, creativity involved, design and implementation, and social impact”.

“Youth being part of the digital system is very important because we will be here for a very long time, and we will also pass it on to our children. We need the support of government. It can’t be done by NGO alone. We need the understanding of the government”.

“We need more female innovators to come out with their ideas. All the 7 today were males. We must make conscious effort to push our ladies. SDG 5 talks about gender equality. We want marginalized communities to participate, we want women, young ones, and older persons to participate.”

“Global Digital Development Forum 2023 is happening in 7 other countries across Africa. It is a hybrid event. Young Nigerians are leveraging emerging technologies to create solutions to address climate change. I have seen passion and dedication towards what people do. They have also known that it is a different thing to have the digital solution and another to have the digital skills. They have been told where they can learn more about these resources to bridge the digital skill gap”.

“I am so glad to be part of this programme. I was able to learn and network and meet others. I have gotten insights and clearer view about how to use AI to mitigate climate action. AI is now taking the position of humans. I am also thinking of bringing my project soon for sustainable change. I like the fact that you can now use chat box to mitigate climate change. It is participatory, it is interactive, and it is usable both in the rural and global”. As an Ambassador for GDDF 2023, it was not just a platform to discuss on climate change, development, and emerging technologies; it was a Call-to-Action period for me and all credit to TechChange and her amazing partners for the support, innovation, and platform in creating awareness on Global Digital Development and supporting innovations in that line.

By: Gabrielle Hayashi Santos, GDDF Brazil Ambassador

As the first-ever hybrid version of the Global Digital Development Forum (GDDF) unfolded, I had the privilege of leading a watch party in Brazil on the 27th of April as a GDDF Ambassador. The atmosphere during this exhilarating Brazil Watch Party was truly electric, filled with excitement and anticipation as we gathered to watch the various sessions of the forum. Our collective enthusiasm and eagerness to share perspectives and ideas transformed the watch party into a dynamic hub of discussions, uniting a diverse group of passionate individuals dedicated to digital development.

From Breakfast Table Chatter to Mind-Blowing Insights 🍳

Creating an engaging and meaningful experience was our secret recipe for success. We carefully crafted the timeline of the watch party, starting with a warm and formal welcome that set the stage for an immersive journey. Picture this: we kicked things off by gathering around the breakfast table, enjoying good food and even better company. We broke the ice with a networking session that sparked connections on a personal level. It was like speed dating, but instead of finding love, we found kindred spirits in the digital development realm. This laid the groundwork for a collaborative environment that permeated throughout the watch party.

Brace Yourself for Mind-Blowing Sessions 💡

The sessions we engaged in during this event were thought-provoking and inspiring, leaving a lasting impact on our community. One notable session that resonated deeply with us was Can We Trust AI? Painting the Picture of Possible Futures, featuring Phaedra Boinodiris, Global Leader for Trustworthy AI at IBM Consulting. Her insightful exploration of the ethical considerations and potential impacts of AI sparked engaging conversations among our watch party attendees.

Another session that captivated our audience was Hiding in Plain Sight: Text Analytics Re v eals Alignment to Positive Youth Development, led by Katherine Centore, Senior Specialist, Youth and Ashley Hill, Education Specialist, both from Chemonics International. Their exploration of how text analytics can uncover valuable insights for youth development initiatives ignited passionate discussions on the role of technology in empowering young people.

Delving into the session on The Power of Place and Open Payments: How Solutions for Financial Inclusion are Being Built within the Communities They Serve, we discovered innovative approaches to financial inclusion, emphasizing the importance of localized solutions that consider the unique needs of communities. The ensuing discussions shed light on the challenges and opportunities faced by individuals in Brazil, showcasing the potential of digital development to drive positive change in the financial sector.

Furthermore, we were honored to have guest speakers Bruna Vitória Ferreira Fernandes and Manoela Reis share their experiences and expertise on female representation in digital development. They highlighted the challenges faced by women in this field and provided valuable insights into creating a more inclusive and empowering environment. The subsequent Q&A session allowed us to dive deeper into the topic and generate ideas for meaningful change.

Small Groups, Big Connections! 🌍

Throughout the watch party, small group discussions played a pivotal role in fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. Attendees were divided into smaller, intimate groups, offering them a platform to share their unique perspectives, ask questions, and collectively explore the session topics. These discussions were not only dynamic and insightful but also demonstrated the power of bringing diverse voices together.

In addition to the rich discussions and connections made, the success of our watch party is evident in the statistics. A total of 43 individuals actively participated, engaging in three online sessions and two in-person sessions. These numbers reflect the enthusiasm and commitment of our community to be a part of the GDDF experience.

Unleashing Synergy through Power Partnerships 🤝

However, our success extended beyond mere participation numbers. We were able to forge meaningful partnerships that further strengthened our local digital development ecosystem. Notably, we partnered with the Global Shapers Hub Ribeirão Preto, bringing an added layer of expertise and engagement to our watch party. The Global Shapers community, a worldwide network of young change-makers, provided a fresh perspective and valuable insights into the digital development landscape.

Additionally, SUPERA Parque, a local innovation and technology park, graciously offered us a space to host the in-person sessions of our watch party. Their support created an environment that fostered collaboration and ideation, further amplifying the impact of our discussions. We are immensely grateful for their contribution to the success of the event.

Another significant partner that deserves special recognition is Skylar. They played a crucial role in making the watch party more inclusive and accessible to all participants. With their live translation services, language barriers were overcome, ensuring that everyone could fully engage in the watch party. Skylar’s dedication to inclusivity truly made a difference and created a more welcoming environment for all attendees.

Our “aha” moments: Going Local, Networking, and Social Media 🤔

Bringing the local context into our conversations was a key realization during the watch party. While digital development is undoubtedly a global topic, it is crucial to acknowledge the nuances and challenges specific to local communities. By incorporating local voices and perspectives, we gained a deeper understanding of the issues at hand and the opportunities for growth. This localized approach ensured that our discussions were not only relevant but also impactful, addressing the unique needs and aspirations of the Brazilian digital development landscape.

Moreover, we discovered that networking played a significant role in enhancing the watch party experience. Despite the convenience of digital communication, there is something truly special about meeting in person. The watch party provided a unique opportunity for attendees to connect with individuals they may not have encountered otherwise. These connections fostered a sense of collaboration and sparked new ideas, ultimately strengthening our collective efforts in the digital development space.

The impact of the watch party extended beyond the event itself. Through social media networking, we were able to amplify the reach of the watch party and connect with individuals interested in participating in future events. The fact that my GDDF video garnered over 1000 views and prompted inquiries on how to get involved in the next Watch Parties is a testament to the power of social media in expanding our community and creating opportunities for engagement.

The Finale: A Watch Party That Ignited Change 🌟

In summary, the GDDF 2023 Brazil Watch Party was an inclusive and empowering experience that successfully brought together a diverse range of voices to engage in meaningful discussions on digital development topics, serving as a catalyst for fostering connections, sharing knowledge, and driving positive change in the Brazilian digital development landscape. Our journey continues as we look forward to future watch parties and the continued growth of our passionate community dedicated to making a difference in the world of digital development.

Hybrid events– where there are both in-person and virtual elements– are the new standard for inclusive, engaging conference experiences. This is doubly true for international development and social impact events, where participation of diverse voices is essential to realizing the mission and purpose of convening. Hosting a hybrid event opens doors to participation and leverages technology to bring the community you care about together.

But how? TechChange has a new resource to help you understand and take full advantage of the hybrid evolution. Our Events team has created a new, free guide to help you plan your next event: the “what,” the “why,” and the “how” of hybrid events.

What’s Inside

Whether you’re a full-time or no-time event planner (see what we did there? :)) with years of experience organizing international conferences or if this is literally your first rodeo, this guide is full of information and inspiration to help you plan your next amazing and impactful hybrid event.

This guide includes the following, all in our signature easy-to-digest visual style:

What a best in-class hybrid event looks like, including a sample “Day in the Life” itinerary to walk you through the experience;
How to understand your attendees’ motivations, pain-points, and goals– and cater to them with diverse session types;
Venue and technology considerations to make it all work;
Common hybrid challenges, and how to overcome them;

And more. And we’re making it totally free to read! That’s how much we believe in this stuff.

Download the guide today and let us know how we can help you make your event awesome.

By: Ariel Frankel (Director of Public Health), and Alex Paone (Program Manager, Public Health)

Just in time for the upcoming Global Digital Health Forum on December 5-7, TechChange added several new videos to our Global Goods video series, developed in partnership with USAID and PATH/ Digital Square, that explain the basics of several digital health public goods. As TechChange’s Director of Public Health, I’m excited that these short, dynamic videos will help promote the benefits of using global goods software to digital health stakeholders, from NGO practitioners to national health officials.

What are Global Goods anyway?

Global goods are software systems with multiple funding sources that are used across different countries to address a wide variety of challenges. Importantly, they have free and open-source software and documentation to make customization simple. Moreover, they are built to be interoperable with other digital health software systems. Learn more here.

What problems do these Global Goods videos help solve?

My background with digital health interventions in the informal settlements of Nairobi and at a refugee clinic in Tel Aviv, showed me the importance of using tools that are widely supported and built for interoperability, rather than “reinventing the wheel” each time and perpetuating fragmentation in the digital health ecosystem. Each Global Goods video uses a common set of concepts and visuals such as animations from user perspectives, ministry official interviews, and software demos that allow viewers to understand each global good independently, as well as how they can fit together and support interoperability. This is a complex and important topic– but at TechChange, we pride ourselves on making easy to understand guides to complicated materials and concepts.

Global Goods Video Series is for all Digital Health Practitioners

These videos on OpenSRP, RapidPro, and iHRIS will join the line-up of course materials in our Digital Health: Planning National Systems course, which has taught more than 250 ministry officials and digital health stakeholders from Chile to the Philippines to design and implement interventions to address national health systems challenges . As one of the course facilitators, I can attest that the material has helped participants advocate for adoption of these software systems within their own national governments. But the Global Goods videos aren’t just for our own students – they are available on YouTube for public use in training and capacity building.

Let’s take a look.

Better Data Through OpenSRP

In the OpenSRP video, which was supported by Ona, we see perspectives from frontline health workers and policy makers on how the open source mobile health platform helps with data tracking and decision making. This tool allows continuity of care at the community and facility level.

OpenSRP provides decision support to health workers to guide them through health encounters, allowing for rapid data entry and follow-ups based on the patient’s specific care plan. The software can be used as an off-the-shelf integrated health system in places transitioning from paper to digital or in the process of replacing stand-alone, single-focus applications. As we see in the video, the adoption of this global good system can lead to faster launches of digital systems including health service applications and dashboards.

Leverage and Track Mobile Services with RapidPro

In the second video, which was supported by UNICEF, we see how RapidPro workflow logic software helps organizations and systems run mobile-based services. From managing mobile users’ contacts, to analyzing data from multiple communication channels, RapidPro provides a mobile or web-based platform that public health workers can use to send or track a wide variety of information.

TechChange videos always include real-life applications of any new tool, so that practitioners can immediately see how it might be applied. In this video, we see how health worker Wendy uses RapidPro to help manage her vaccine resources and roll-out. She inputs her data, which national decision makers can then use to help track roll-out across locations and fill in gaps. The adoption of RapidPro can help health workers and leaders respond in real-time to specific public health needs and threats.

Managing a Health Workforce through iHRIS

The third new video, supported by IntraHealth International, details the basics of iHRIS, an open-source human resources platform to track and manage a country’s health workforce. Users can make evidence-based, effective plans for deploying human resources where they’re needed most.

To fast track understanding of a tool, it’s important to show features and use- cases, such as iHRIS’s user-friendly interface and powerful data dashboards. By using iHRIS, decision-makers can understand the current status of their health workforce including which healthcare workers are currently employed, those who are qualified but not employed, and those who are in training. Centralized data can help leaders predict specific population needs and proactively solve workforce constraints.

These three videos are the tip of the iceberg on learning about global goods. You can watch all nine global goods videos in the Global Goods Series playlist (including the first three that we’ve translated to French) here.

We hope that these educational videos are useful to you and your teams. Feel free to share widely – just be sure to attribute and link to TechChange, USAID and PATH/ Digital Square. Thanks for watching!

By: Emma Sakson

Do emerging technologies such as crypto and AI have a place in international development? How do we balance the risks of untested tools with their potential rewards, and impact?

Throughout my time working in ICT4D, I’ve tended to be a skeptic when it comes to the promise that frontier technology can improve development outcomes and, most importantly, people’s lives. Rather than fixate on the newest technology on the scene, I’ve tended to focus on basic tools deployed in ethical and effective ways. At the intersection of technology and development, there are no “magic bullets,” but new tools can unlock exciting ways for people to connect and collaborate with one another.

TechChange believes deeply in that power. To put our values into action, we convened the first-ever hybrid Frontiers of Digital Development Forum (FDDF) to bring technologists, development practitioners, and thought leaders from all over the world together for exciting, tough, and necessary conversations about the role of emerging technology within development.

We used our innovative approach to hybrid events to ensure that these debates, conversations and demonstrations were accessible, inclusive, and dynamic. Compared to a traditional DC event, the hybrid nature of the Frontiers of Digital Development Forum allowed for critical voices from outside of Washington D.C. to be heard. Overall, over 600 people across 55 countries participated in the forum either in-person, virtually, or both.

FDDF Day 1

For Day 1 of the conference, 190 people representing more than 60 organizations convened in DC’s historic Capitol Turnaround hall to discuss topics such as the role of technology in humanitarian response, digital transaction of carbon credits, and how crypto can democratize development.

As a new TechChange employee, I was thrilled that FDDF did not shy away from polarizing topics, and I was struck by how fresh and inclusive this event felt compared to many conferences I’ve participated in the past. In addition to select virtual-only sessions, all of the in-person sessions were live-streamed to virtual participants, who could also engage with discussion boards, Pop-up Studio interviews, and virtual networking experiences.

Our amazing FDDF ambassadors led local watch parties and conversations in Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Jordan. It was exciting to be a part of a new model for convening in this globalized, digital age, and engage with ICT4D practitioners all over the world.

*TechChange CEO Nick Martin engages with Nairobi watch party organized by FDDF Ambassador Peter Omondi*

FDDF Day 2

Day 2 of the conference utilized the TechChange platform for an entirely virtual experience. As one virtual participant from Kenya said, “FDDF2022 was one of the greatest events I have attended. The quality of discussion, unique topics, great panelists exchanging ideas, insightful audience– this was an eye opener.”

*One of the most-watched sessions featured Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation*

The user-friendly features of our platform provided not only unfettered access to content but multiple ways to engage with speakers and other attendees. The platform recorded over 32 hours of content featuring 97 speakers, and participants were buzzing with energy– over 1,000 in-session chat messages were sent throughout the forum.

That’s our favorite thing about hybrid conferences- there’s something for everyone. And when gathering together to discuss emerging technology, isn’t it appropriate that we should use an innovative approach that leverages the best of conference tech to ensure a diverse collection of voices are at the table?

At TechChange, virtual participation isn’t just an afterthought, it’s an integral part of how we make connections and build community. We’re looking forward to applying the lessons we’ve learned to our hybrid events in the future to make them even more engaging and inclusive. This is emerging technology I can get behind.

Q: So, tell us more about yourself. How did you end up working in education?

My grandparents immigrated to the United States from India and they always emphasized the importance of education to my brother and me. I also have a few teachers in my family, so when I decided to pursue a degree in International Relations, I was interested in the intersection of development and education.

In my first job I worked with international students seeking attendance at U.S. universities. I enjoyed being able to help others achieve their educational goals! In my next position, I continued with that theme in mind while working on a virtual exchange program that connected ESL teachers globally to professional development courses and webinars. Being able to work with and learn from English educators all over the world has been a highlight of my career so far.

Q: How did you first hear about TechChange?

I actually found TechChange while researching instructional design fellowships. I am so glad that I did because I was excited to find a company committed to the power of online education and events! This intersection matched perfectly to the work I’ve done in the past working in online learning and professional development.

Q: What are some of your favorite parts of working at TechChange so far?

My favorite part of working at TechChange so far is how technology is openly embraced and utilized. That may seem like an obvious answer however, I had the opportunity of working with online courses before and after the pandemic started. Seeing virtual learning and gathering change from an “option” to a “necessity” due to the pandemic was powerful. I’ve seen first hand that technology can make courses and events more accessible and inclusive. I’m so excited to be a part of that at TechChange.

Q: What excites you about this role?

I’m excited about the opportunity to see events from so many different and important topic areas come to life. I am also excited about the great co-workers I have met during my onboarding process. It has been very enriching to be surrounded by others passionate about the power of virtual learning and events.

Q: Anything you look forward to working on or learning at TechChange in the next year?

I’m looking forward to learning more about hybrid event execution. I’ve seen in my past experience how powerful it is to offer a seat at the table to those who cannot physically be in the room whether it is due to accessibility or travel expenses. The idea of a hybrid option excites me because it marries the power of in person interaction with the inclusiveness of virtual events. I’m very interested in seeing how events will operate as the world starts to open up.

Q: Lastly, what’s something that not a lot of people know about you?

As much as connecting with people online fuels my work, I am a true introvert through and through! I really thrive when I have a good balance of connecting and unplugging. It is so important to me to have alone time to reset and recharge. When I’m spending time by myself I like to go on walks, knit, and take care of my plants.

By: Shenal Kotuwewatta

This January, I worked at TechChange as a micro-intern in the tech team. It was a wonderful experience, and I learned a lot from my work during the micro-internship. I also had a blast getting to know the amazing people who work at TechChange and learning about TechChange’s mission of driving social change. I was located in my home country Sri Lanka for the entirety of the micro-internship, but the team made sure that I had no trouble working remotely across time zones.

True to its mission, I found TechChange to be a very human-centered company. This was apparent from my first interaction with TechChange when I underwent a unique interview process that focused less on memorizing technical details and more on looking at the big picture. As someone who has gone through many traditional algorithm-based tech interviews, I found this to be refreshing and was immediately drawn towards TechChange.

Once at TechChange, I was able to quickly ramp up on its tech stack and get started on my project, which was to implement a “message reaction” system (similar to those on Facebook/Slack) for TechChange’s chat application. The tech team members always helped me whenever I needed it, be it for diagnosing a bug or reviewing my code. I was able to get a lot of work done over the four weeks of the micro-internship. I also attended a company-wide sprint demo where I presented my design documentation for the project and received valuable, positive feedback from teams across the company.

Overall, I feel my time at TechChange was productive and educational, and I’m excited to see what TechChange has in stock for the future!

Q: So, tell us more about yourself. How did you end up working in education?

I come from a family of educators. Both of my parents were teachers and I’ve known from a very young age that I wanted to work in education. After college, I started my career in education as an academic advisor, and I’ve been working in learning spaces ever since. I worked several years in Student Affairs serving in academic advising and student success roles, and eventually transitioned into Faculty Success and Learning and Development (L&D). I love what I do. At heart, I’m a learner, and one of the many benefits of working in the education field is that you’re always learning and surrounding yourself with like-minded people who love to learn and teach.

Q: How did you first hear about TechChange?

I have a Ph.D. in Conflict Resolution Studies and have been following social impact conversations on social media for a while. I first learned about TechChange through LinkedIn and TechChange’s CEO Nick Martin’s #NickatNoon posts.

Q: What are some of your favorite parts of working at TechChange so far?

I’m always curious about how technology can be leveraged to teach more effectively and in more engaging ways, and so far my favorite part about working at TechChange is learning about how TechChange uses technology to enhance online learning experiences.

I also really enjoy how much my coworkers love games and game design, and using gamification techniques to create learning experiences that are both fun and innovative. As a person who loves board games, card games, and video games, I really feel like I’ve found my people.

Q: What excites you about this role?

It’s important for me to do good in the world and to find fulfilling roles that contribute to change in a positive way. I think that’s what attracted me to the education field in the first place and what ultimately led me to TechChange. At TechChange, I feel like I’m making a difference by building training experiences for organizations and people who make a positive impact every day. To me, that’s incredible! Just the thought of that provides so much meaning, knowing that the work that I do can make a positive difference in the world around me.

Q: Anything you look forward to working on or learning at TechChange in the next year?

We really live in an exciting time in education and I believe remote learning has opened up so much potential for building better and creative ways to learn and train virtually. Online education has come a long way in the last ten years, and has accelerated exponentially in the last two. TechChange was an early adopter of this potential and built a teaching philosophy around the strengths of online learning. That teaching philosophy really resonated with me and I’m really looking forward to using TechChange’s methods, tools, and technologies to develop virtual experiences that are unique and customized for our partners.

Q: Lastly, what’s something that not a lot of people know about you?

I love trivia. I’m not great at trivia or good enough to be a contestant on Jeopardy, but I love it because I always learn something new. Before the pandemic, I used to play trivia with my friends about once a week at local spots in the San Diego area. After the pandemic, I found online trivia, and it quickly became one of my favorite things to do to connect with family and friends. I still play trivia with my friends at least once a month and highly recommend Trivia Galaxy on Twitch. The trivia host is outstanding and donates funds regularly to non-profit organizations.

Q: So, tell us more about yourself. How did you end up working in tech?

I spent my first career in Investment Banking. I always knew it wasn’t a good fit. I wanted to do something else, but wasn’t sure where to start. I partnered with IT on a project written in Python, which inspired me to explore programming. Once I started, I immediately fell in love. I found solving complex problems extremely rewarding and enjoyed the element of always learning something new.

Q: How did you first hear about TechChange?

I first heard about TechChange through the Recurse Center. After reading numerous job postings, TechChange stood out to me because their job listing read, “you could work at top tech companies, but making a difference in the world is more important to you”. That line deeply resonated with me and I knew immediately that I’d found the place for me. It’s important to me to spend my time and energy leaving things better than I found them. I’m excited to wake up each day knowing my work has a positive impact on the world, and love knowing that I work alongside people who share a similar mindset.

Q: What are some of your favorite parts of working at TechChange so far?

The positive attitudes and humility. Everyone is excited and passionate about what they do, which shows in their work. Colleagues are willing to lend a hand and share their knowledge. I feel appreciated and trust that my work is viewed as important. Failure is encouraged. Slowing down to learn is prioritized over delivery.

Also…the commute! I love working from home and having the ability to curate an environment that works for me. I am more productive when I have access to my kitchen where I can prepare healthy meals, and when I can take a break to walk around my neighborhood.

Q: What excites you about this role?

I’m excited about the emphasis on psychological safety. I feel strongly that long-term success requires sustainable efforts. Rather than the focus being on completing tasks as fast as possible, I’m encouraged to take the time I need to learn, take breaks, or shift gears if needed. I am viewed as a whole person who has obligations outside of work. I’ve found that having a proper self-care routine helps me thrive in the workplace.

Q: Anything you look forward to working on or learning at TechChange in the next year?

I’m looking forward to improving my skills as a developer and leaving my banking culture behind! My colleagues’ backgrounds in education shine through with a strong emphasis on pedagogy, which speaks to me and my method of thinking. I’m confident I will succeed because of the support network available to me. I’m thrilled to learn from the role models I’ve found at TechChage and continue to grow.

Q: Lastly, what’s something that not a lot of people know about you?

I’m super shy. Most people who know me seem surprised when they learn that I am an introvert who struggles with social anxiety and small talk. I’ve pushed my comfort zone my whole life, especially during my time managing multiple teams. After absorbing all I could from this experience, I’m on a journey to embrace my true nature and utilize the strengths of my natural temperament. My true happy place is thinking quietly and solving problems, sprinkled with philosophical discussions and meaningful connection.

by: Mehek Gosalia, TechChange Tech Micro-intern

A one month internship is not a common thing to do, I’m told. Just one of the many weird and wonderful quirks of MIT: every year, we take January to explore education outside of class, whether through study abroad, research, specialized courses or micro internships. I got the chance to work at TechChange just for the month, as a software engineering intern. As I found, my unusually short internship was unusually rewarding, because TechChange, too, is weird and wonderful.

What makes it weird? Within a technical team of just 4, plus me and my fellow intern, we spanned 4 time zones at any given time. Our daily meetings were midday for some, wake-up calls for me, and burning the midnight oil for others. And instead of coding side by side, we seemed to switch off, PRs and commits coming in at every hour from every corner of the world. Because of this, I spend much of my internship getting to explore the codebase on my own, peeling back layers of files and discovering how much the platform truly had to offer. I also got to work in multiple areas of the codebase, working full stack to implement a new bookmark feature independently. This was my first ever 9 to 5, and yet with the freedom and flexibility I had, I rarely woke up at 9 or put away my laptop at 5. The lack of one set routine could have been demotivating- for us, it was energizing. It was weird, but it worked.

New bookmark feature implemented by Mehek

What makes it wonderful? Somehow, with just a 30 minute daily meeting with my team, continents and oceans between us, the technical team quickly became a family. Honestly, the flexibility and radical differences in our schedules actually created a unique dynamic. Instead of a rigid work structure followed by off time, we got to see each other living our lives. We shared our days, without distinction between work life and our lives- kids at home played off camera, I told them about my classes next month and they told me about the trip they were on to see their family. We pair programmed over Zoom between one lunch break and another, and there was always time for helping each other, even across time zones. When you can bring your life into your workplace, without rigid hours, it breathes life into the workplace. Truly wonderful.

I had four weeks at TechChange. Four weird, wonderful weeks made possible by my weird, wonderful school. I learned many things, but mostly, I learned about people. I learned about the people who work at TechChange, and who they were, and what a pleasure they were to work with. To me, being able to know them, after such a short time, is a career triumph beyond any technical skills gained. For that, thank you TechChange!