From 04ea4cfeaa69259b79388ad249a95517afeb7fc4 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Seamus Johnston Date: Fri, 7 Jun 2024 16:07:45 -0500 Subject: [PATCH] A few more image tags --- _includes/card-project.html | 5 +- _includes/graphic-block.html | 5 +- ...018-01-30-getting-prepared-to-prototype.md | 4 +- ...artners-on-board-with-research-findings.md | 2 +- ...or-the-federal-plain-language-community.md | 2 +- .../posts/2018-04-05-ask-18f-form-design.md | 2 +- ...sked_our_coworkers_why_did_you_join_18f.md | 84 +++++++++---------- 7 files changed, 49 insertions(+), 55 deletions(-) diff --git a/_includes/card-project.html b/_includes/card-project.html index 7f16db1f7..49925920f 100644 --- a/_includes/card-project.html +++ b/_includes/card-project.html @@ -18,10 +18,7 @@ {% endif %} {% endunless %} {% if agency_logo %} - + {% image_with_class agency_logo "maxw-8 margin-right-2" "" %} {% endif %}

{{ project.agency }}

diff --git a/_includes/graphic-block.html b/_includes/graphic-block.html index e227f90a7..b8ec98fac 100644 --- a/_includes/graphic-block.html +++ b/_includes/graphic-block.html @@ -1,8 +1,5 @@
- {{ include.image_alt_text }} + {% image_with_class include.image_path "width-full" include.image_alt_text %}

{{ include.body_text }}

diff --git a/content/posts/2018-01-30-getting-prepared-to-prototype.md b/content/posts/2018-01-30-getting-prepared-to-prototype.md index aac080775..34f335154 100644 --- a/content/posts/2018-01-30-getting-prepared-to-prototype.md +++ b/content/posts/2018-01-30-getting-prepared-to-prototype.md @@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ Here are a list of factors that governments should consider to become better pre You can create prototypes in [many different forms](https://github.com/18F?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=prototype), and you don’t necessarily have to [write software code](https://18f.gsa.gov/2015/01/06/protosketch/). You can use prototypes as a way to get feedback from real or anticipated users, or you can use them as a way to test hypotheses or validate technology choices.
- mock up of a prototype + {% image_with_class "assets/blog/prototype/design-prototype.png" "image-shadowed" "mock up of a prototype" %}
A design prototype built for the State of Alaska to demonstrate a new modular product design strategy for the state’s Medicaid Eligibility System modernization project.
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ Thinking clearly ahead of time about the reasons for building a prototype, and t Through our work, we’ve learned firsthand that finding users to evaluate a prototype [can sometimes be a challenge](https://18f.gsa.gov/2017/11/08/four-lessons-we-learned-while-building-our-own-design-research-recruiting-tool/). Identifying users that can provide meaningful feedback and reaching out to recruit them can require multiple steps, and often prior approvals. As a general rule of thumb, the larger the call for feedback, the more hurdles you’ll have to overcome to identify and contact volunteers.
- A prototype for paid family leave. Top of the screen is light blue with header + {% image_with_class "assets/blog/prototype/paid-fam-leave.png" "image-shadowed" "A prototype for paid family leave. Top of the screen is light blue with header" %}
An 18F prototype built to provide technical guidance for the Department of Labor with websites for their Paid Family Medical Leave programs.
diff --git a/content/posts/2018-02-06-getting-partners-on-board-with-research-findings.md b/content/posts/2018-02-06-getting-partners-on-board-with-research-findings.md index 97980f516..deffec450 100644 --- a/content/posts/2018-02-06-getting-partners-on-board-with-research-findings.md +++ b/content/posts/2018-02-06-getting-partners-on-board-with-research-findings.md @@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ After spending the first two weeks of a six-week project interviewing various us Once our partners had bought into what we had seen and heard during our research, we asked them to prioritize the findings. This request left them a bit confused. “Aren’t _you_ supposed to tell us what the priorities should be?” they asked. We told them that while we certainly had an opinion on what the highest priority issues were, especially from a user-experience perspective, it was important for us to know what _their_ organizational priorities were.
- image of a large white butcher paper with three columns. Each column has a header that relate to level of priority - High, medium, low. Below each header are various post-its + {% image_with_class "assets/blog/user-interview/hi-med-low.jpg" "image-reduce right-aligned" "image of a large white butcher paper with three columns. Each column has a header that relate to level of priority - High, medium, low. Below each header are various post-its" %}
We conducted this exercise using a very low-tech approach: writing findings on sticky notes, then asking the partner to put them into low-priority, medium-priority, and high-priority groups. diff --git a/content/posts/2018-02-22-new-home-for-the-federal-plain-language-community.md b/content/posts/2018-02-22-new-home-for-the-federal-plain-language-community.md index 73d723071..da2623478 100644 --- a/content/posts/2018-02-22-new-home-for-the-federal-plain-language-community.md +++ b/content/posts/2018-02-22-new-home-for-the-federal-plain-language-community.md @@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ redirect_from: The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) is one of the longest-standing champions for great content and user experience in government. Since the 90s, this incredible community has shepherded the adoption of plain language in federal regulations and communications with the public. Last year, we were honored to partner with them to update and redesign [plainlanguage.gov](https://www.plainlanguage.gov/).
- Screenshot of the plainlanguage.gov home page + {% image_with_class "assets/blog/plainlang/plainlanggov.png" "image-shadowed" "Screenshot of the plainlanguage.gov home page" %}
The new plainlanguage.gov home page.
diff --git a/content/posts/2018-04-05-ask-18f-form-design.md b/content/posts/2018-04-05-ask-18f-form-design.md index 7cf74a78e..9bec6b3eb 100644 --- a/content/posts/2018-04-05-ask-18f-form-design.md +++ b/content/posts/2018-04-05-ask-18f-form-design.md @@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ You can also start off with a out-of-the-box solution like [Survey Monkey]( http Here is an example of a form that applies principles like text alignment, grouping, and typography hierarchy.
- An example of a form. Three sections all numbered from one to three. Each section has two text forms. At the bottom is a blue submit button and a cancel hyperlink that is red + {% image_with_class "assets/blog/advice/form.png" "image-shadowed" "An example of a form. Three sections all numbered from one to three. Each section has two text forms. At the bottom is a blue submit button and a cancel hyperlink that is red" %}
#### Helpful links and examples: diff --git a/content/posts/2021-04-27-we_asked_our_coworkers_why_did_you_join_18f.md b/content/posts/2021-04-27-we_asked_our_coworkers_why_did_you_join_18f.md index 89a326372..e4614acd4 100644 --- a/content/posts/2021-04-27-we_asked_our_coworkers_why_did_you_join_18f.md +++ b/content/posts/2021-04-27-we_asked_our_coworkers_why_did_you_join_18f.md @@ -33,133 +33,133 @@ Interested in joining our team? Check out open positions and how to apply [on th [Back to the table of contents](#chapters) -Laura Ponce (she/her) smiling confidently to the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/ponce_laura.png" "height-card-lg" "Laura Ponce (she/her) smiling confidently to the camera" %}
The 18F Methods site was my first impression of 18F. I was thrilled to learn more about the team within the federal government that is sharing user-centered design practices and putting everything out in the open for others to use. I wanted to be part of the organization that’s helping improve the user experience of government. - Laura Ponce, UX Designer
-Mike Gintz (he/him) holding his really cute black dog smiling at the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/mike_gintz_headshot.jpg" "height-card-lg" "Mike Gintz (he/him) holding his really cute black dog smiling at the camera" %}
I wanted to spend my days doing mission-driven work that would help people, and in 18F I saw a recognition that even though technology is often where problems manifest, it isn’t necessarily where those problems originate. I was super excited about how 18F uses technology as a forcing function to have powerful and human conversations about communication, transparency, equity, trust, etc. — all the things that make for a functioning team (or government) — and I was like ‘I gotta be part of this!’ Still feel lucky to be here. - Mike Gintz, Change Strategist
-Ben Peterson (he/him) wearing a cap smiling at the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/peterson_ben.jpg" "height-card-lg" "Ben Peterson (he/him) wearing a cap smiling at the camera" %}
I was drawn to 18F because I wanted to help make sure the government validates that the things it wants to create are the things that will help the public, by asking the public about it. - Ben Peterson, UX Designer
-No image available, instead we used the 18F logo +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/18f-logo-l.png" "height-card-lg" "No image available, instead we used the 18F logo" %}
There’s a lot of talk in the tech sector about ‘making the world a better place,’ but there are few arenas of social and civic life more capable of meaningful change than government. I work at 18F because successfully delivering on the mission, and at the scale of government, is crucial to the health and well-being of our democracy and our communities. And when you work at 18F, you get to work with some of the smartest, most dedicated public servants you’ll ever find. - Ryan Johnson, Content Strategist
-Erin Strenio (she\her) smiling at the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/strenio_erin.jpg" "height-card-lg" "Erin Strenio (she\her) smiling at the camera" %}
“I had worked in journalism and start-ups, mostly in the food space, but was craving something more, and felt a calling to be more civically engaged. I never really pictured myself working in government, but when I found out about 18F—wait, they have a team dedicated to making government services easier for people to use and understand?—I wanted to be a part of it, and have felt grateful to work with such a passionate, dedicated group of public servants ever since.” - Erin Zimmer Strenio, Content Strategist
-Julie Strothman (she/her) smiling calmly at the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/strothman_julie.jpg" "height-card-lg" "Julie Strothman (she/her) smiling calmly at the camera" %}
I wanted my design work to focus on increasing equity for people, and I’d seen 18F make government services more accessible and share their work so people could build off of it. I was drawn to 18F’s humility in the way they describe their work, and their deep commitment to user-centered design. Those impressions proved true: I found a place I really want to bring my energy. - Julie Strothman, UX Designer
-Jeff Durland (he/him) looking confident as he poses to the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/jeff-durland.jpg" "height-card-lg" "Jeff Durland (he/him) looking confident as he poses to the camera" %}
I had long wanted to work in public service in some way, but never thought there was a place for me in government. When I learned about 18F, I thought ‘Here’s my chance! A government organization that does real user-centered design and cares deeply about delivering for the American people.’ It’s a privilege to make government interactions easier for the public — and for public servants. - Jeff Durland, Content Strategist
-Matt Dobson (he/him) smiling happily at the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/mattdobson2.jpg" "height-card-lg" "Matt Dobson (he/him) smiling happily at the camera" %}
I’d been paying attention to 18F for a few years and saw a lot of parallels between the work in government and the digital transformation work I was part of inside a large health insurance company. I loved the idea of working directly with partners to teach and empower them to thrive on their own. I thought joining 18F would be a great opportunity to do the kind of work I was already doing, in a place where I could make some meaningful impact. I’m really grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of this team and to help improve the way technology helps America. - Matt Dobson, UX Designer
-Jacklynn Pham (she/her) smiling confidently at the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/pham_jacklynn.jpg" "height-card-lg" "Jacklynn Pham (she/her) smiling confidently at the camera" %}
I believe that design is impactful and can change people’s lives. So, I wanted to spend my time and use my skills to make services better for those who need it. I joined 18F because I believe in the work that’s done here. - Jacklynn Pham, UX Designer
-Black and white picture of Igor Korenfeld (he/him) smiling calmly at the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/korenfeld_igor.jpg" "height-card-lg" "Black and white picture of Igor Korenfeld (he/him) smiling calmly at the camera" %}
I wanted to join 18F because it was a place where I could work on improving the interface between the government and the public - to ease people’s access to public services, remove barriers and frustrations, and to increase trust in the government.” - Igor Korenfeld, Product Designer
-Julia Lindpainter (she/her) smiling confidently at the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/lindpaintner_julia.png" "height-card-lg" "Julia Lindpainter (she/her) smiling confidently at the camera" %}
I enjoyed my work at past jobs, but at the end of the day I didn’t always feel that I was contributing to something I truly believed in. I wanted to join 18F because I felt confident that while the work might be hard (and it is!), I would know that it matters and I’d be doing it alongside incredible colleagues who are committed to making a difference. - Julia Lindpaintner, Product Designer
-Malaika Carpenter (she/her) smiling confidently at the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/carpenter_malaika.jpeg" "height-card-lg" "Malaika Carpenter (she/her) smiling confidently at the camera" %}
“When two people, who are now my colleagues at 18F, excitedly told me about this organization, I was truly surprised that it existed in government. In my previous roles at other organizations, I was a lone content strategist, pushing teams to communicate in innovative ways for better impact. I joined 18F to be a part of a supportive group of content and UX professionals who are committed to doing the same within government for greater social impact.” - Malaika Carpenter, Content Strategist
-Michelle Rago (she/her) smiles confidently to the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/rago_michelle.jpg" "height-card-lg" "Michelle Rago (she/her) smiles confidently to the camera" %}
I came to 18F from another agency. I was looking for a mission-driven organization where I could learn, grow, and contribute to making government work better for everyone. I am so grateful to be working alongside the smart, kind, and curious people of 18F! - Michelle Rago, Content Strategist
-No image available, instead we used the 18F logo +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/18f-logo-l.png" "height-card-lg" "No image available, instead we used the 18F logo" %}
I read the The Color of Law when it was first published. Between that book and my formative experience as a technologist in rural parts of the country, I developed a better lens for the divergence in experiences many people have with government. It motivated me to leverage my skills to design impact at scale. I don’t have any illusions that I alone can remedy decades of harm and distrust, but I believe we have an obligation to use the tools we have at our disposal to improve systems and services rapidly. - Ron Bronson, Content Strategist
-Princess Ojiaku confidently looking at the distance away from the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/princessojiaku.jpg" "height-card-lg" "Princess Ojiaku confidently looking at the distance away from the camera" %}
I care deeply about making information easier for the public to understand, access, and use to make decisions. I was working toward those aims as a journalist and a technologist when I learned about 18F. I had no idea that there was a government agency working on that as well! I joined 18F to help build public access and understanding so that the government can move closer to the ideal state – serving its entire public well. - Princess Ojiaku, Content Strategist
-Aviva Oskow holding her head using her hand as she looks away from the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/oskow_aviva.jpg" "height-card-lg" "Aviva Oskow holding her head using her hand as she looks away from the camera" %}
I joined 18F back in 2016 after searching for a way to combine my visual design skills with human-centered design—something that most design agencies, even those which are focused on doing good, didn’t make space for or prioritize at the time. While I had succeeded in using design to help political and social/environmental campaigns and organizations, I wanted a more hands-on role in channeling the needs of the people—facilitating the whole process, instead of only  making it look nice at the end. I found that and so much more at 18F, getting to work on projects with impact I couldn’t even imagine at the time. - Aviva Oskow, Product Designer
-Austin Hernandez (he/him) smiling happily at the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/austin_avatar.jpg" "height-card-lg" "Austin Hernandez (he/him) smiling happily at the camera" %}
I joined 18F because I came to a fork in my long career in the private sector: Should I use my design and research experience to increase profits for shareholders, or should I try to address inequities in access to government services? It wasn’t a difficult choice. Projects I’ve worked on are used by millions of people and decisions we’ve made can drastically change outcomes for the public. Big structural change is slow, but I am here to serve as an advocate for my community and make sure people who are impacted by problems are included in the solutions. - Austin Hernandez, Product Designer
-Dave Luetger (he/him) looks seriously away from the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/luetger_dave.jpg" "height-card-lg" "Dave Luetger (he/him) looks seriously away from the camera" %}
I started working in government tech in 2016 and quickly became a fan of 18F from a distance. Government tech should (and can) be inclusive and easy to use. In 2020, I made the leap because I wanted to work on projects that affected programs that served the public more directly. I was also drawn to 18F’s warm people, structure, culture of empathy, inclusiveness, and growth. - Dave Luetger, UX Designer
-Anne Petersen (they/them) smiling confidently to the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/annepetersen.jpg" "height-card-lg" "Anne Petersen (they/them) smiling confidently to the camera" %}
I joined 18F because 18F has an incredible, practical model of change: here, you can design with the public at scale to make their interactions with government easier for everyone, working alongside civil servants throughout the rest of government at all levels. The proportion and impact is immense, the timeline is both finite and generational, and while it can feel like an uphill climb, you can also see the progress you’re helping to make. @@ -170,77 +170,77 @@ I joined 18F because 18F has an incredible, practical model of change: here, you [Back to the table of contents](#chapters) -No image available, instead we used the 18F logo +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/18f-logo-l.png" "height-card-lg" "No image available, instead we used the 18F logo" %}
After a start in higher education and a detour into software engineering for the private sector, I wanted to get back to serving people. 18F is a great place to use the skills I had developed to make people’s lives better. - Neil Martinsen-Burrell, Consulting Engineer
-Eleni Chappen (she/her) smiling proudly at the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/chappen_eleni.jpeg" "height-card-lg" "Eleni Chappen (she/her) smiling proudly at the camera" %}
As I progressed in my engineering career, I became less motivated by solving purely technical problems and more motivated by greater missions and values. I wanted to work on problems worth solving, even if they’re harder and need solutions that engineering alone can’t provide - Eleni Chappen, Consulting Engineer
-Andrew Dunkman (he/him) proudly looking at the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/dunkman_andrew.jpg" "height-card-lg" "Andrew Dunkman (he/him) proudly looking at the camera" %}
After spending years working in the tech industry, I was at a crossroads trying to find a way to use the privileges afforded to me to help others. At about that time, I came across a bug in analytics.usa.gov and, noticing it was open source, I fixed the bug and it was patched in production within a few hours. What if all of government technology was like this? Now that was something I wanted to be a part of. - Andrew Dunkman, Consulting Engineer
-Matt Jadud (he/him) smiling to the camera as he exits from a blue door +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/matt_jadud.jpg" "height-card-lg" "Matt Jadud (he/him) smiling to the camera as he exits from a blue door" %}
I spent two decades as an educator. The work of an educator is a service paid forward to the next generation. It is the work of systemic change, one generation at a time. At 18F, our collaborations with colleagues across the federal government are the much needed systemic change for the people of this generation and the next. I'll get up and give my best self every day for that. - Matt Jadud, Consulting Engineer
-Carly Jugler (she/her) smiling at the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/carly-headshot.png" "height-card-lg" "Carly Jugler (she/her) smiling at the camera" %}
I always wanted to join the public sector but thought that if I did I would have to trade in my skills in modern software development for meaningful work. When I heard about 18F it sounded like a unicorn: a mission-driven organization that does meaningful work on difficult problems while using and advocating for agile and user-centered development - Carly Jugler, Consulting Engineer
-Edwin Torres (he/him) proudly smiling at the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/edwin_torres.jpg" "height-card-lg" "Edwin Torres (he/him) proudly smiling at the camera" %}
While working on a Puerto Rico Department of Education project, I came across 18F and USDS. Their mission to create better technology services for the government inspired me and my team to create the new School Report Card for the island. Since then I followed the organization, and at the beginning of 2020 I found out that 18F was looking for engineers. Without thinking twice, I submitted my resume. Just meeting 18F team members during the interview process was enriching for me. I'm still surprised that I can contribute to improving the federal government and be part of this awesome team while living in Puerto Rico. - Edwin Torres, Consulting Engineer
-James Tranovich (he/him) looking away from the camera smiling at something in the distance +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/tranovich_james.png" "height-card-lg" "James Tranovich (he/him) looking away from the camera smiling at something in the distance" %}
I worked in the private sector for many years, and quite honestly, I was not planning on working in the federal government. I interviewed with 18F on a whim and I'm so happy I did. I was struck during the interview by 18F's long-standing and clear commitment to cultural values, open source, public service, and its mission to transform digital work for the benefit of everyone in the United States. It has been a genuine joy to work with passionate and driven people and attempt to solve difficult problems in government collectively. - James Tranovich, Consulting Engineer
-Ryan Ahearn (he/him) smiling happily at the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/ryan_ahearn.jpg" "height-card-lg" "Ryan Ahearn (he/him) smiling happily at the camera" %}
I had been working at a series of startups with increasing societal impact, but felt like I could be doing more. The combination of teaching new processes and improving technology that 18F practices is the perfect match for me, and you can’t beat this opportunity to make a difference - Ryan Ahearn, Consulting Engineer
-Ryan Hofschneider (he/him) smiling confidently at the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/hofschneider_ryan.jpg.jpg" "height-card-lg" "Ryan Hofschneider (he/him) smiling confidently at the camera" %}
I wanted to help build systems that solve sticky issues, at scale, for the common good. - Ryan Hofschneider, Consulting Engineer
-Alex Soble (he/him) smiling confidently at the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/alex-soble.jpeg" "height-card-lg" "Alex Soble (he/him) smiling confidently at the camera" %}
Before 18F, I worked in and with local governments. I saw how approaches like human-centered design and working in the open could help us serve our public. I looked up to 18F as a part of government doing terrific work and writing on these topics. At the time that I applied to 18F, I was freelancing, and although I had wonderful clients, my health insurance options weren’t matching my healthcare needs. I applied to 18F as a job that would let me serve the public, while also offering the health insurance I needed. Since joining, I have been lucky enough to work on projects related to healthcare access, as well as transportation and public benefits. - Alex Soble, Consulting Engineer
-No image available, instead we used the 18F logo +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/18f-logo-l.png" "height-card-lg" "No image available, instead we used the 18F logo" %}
Prior to 18F, I was a federal civil servant in another agency, happily building products to (hopefully) make disaster response better for the people we serve. 18F was attractive to me as a software development shop using all the “modern” techniques and tools. 18F has actually been a place full of passionate public servants using a broad range of well-established practices and tools to help other agencies adopt good, successful software development practices, and it’s been a hugely rewarding experience to work here. @@ -251,49 +251,49 @@ Prior to 18F, I was a federal civil servant in another agency, happily building [Back to the table of contents](#chapters) -Colin Murphy (he/him) confidently looking at the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/colin_murphy_headshot.jpg" "height-card-lg" "Colin Murphy (he/him) confidently looking at the camera" %}
Mine is extremely selfish TBH. Early in my product career, I kept stumbling across 18F articles that clearly articulated definitions and methods for building technology. From then on my excitement continued and my admiration grew. 18F became my north star, knowing this is where I could learn how to be an amazing product manager. - Colin Murphy, Product Manager
-Emily Theis (she/her) smiling confidently at the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/theis-emily.png" "height-card-lg" "Emily Theis (she/her) smiling confidently at the camera" %}
My background is in journalism, so I’ve always valued work that is driven by informing and supporting the public. 18F’s agile-based model of partnering with lots of different agencies is also fun because you get to become a mini-expert as you work with new people and problems. The timing was important for me too: I joined in summer 2020, when moving toward public service felt particularly meaningful in a difficult year. I’m so proud to be at 18F! - Emily Theis, Product Manager
-Allison Norman (she/her) in a black and white picture smiling happily at the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/norman_allison.jpg" "height-card-lg" "Allison Norman (she/her) in a black and white picture smiling happily at the camera" %}
In the private sector, I worked to solve problems that just didn't feel like real problems (e.g. optimizing products to get another 0.01% of clicks), and it was starting to wear on me. I saw President Obama's keynote interview at SXSW Interactive in 2017, where he emphasized how solvable many real challenges are with technology. Obama encouraged SXSW attendees to consider applying their private sector experience to public service. I felt like he was speaking directly to me! And he was right, since joining 18F, I have been able to focus on working with agency partners to impact how the public engages with government digital products and services. The problems are real, they're worth solving, and it's a privilege to get to do this work every day. - Allison Norman, Product Manager
-Selena Juneau-Vogel (she/her) staring confidently at the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/juneau-vogel_selena.jpg" "height-card-lg" "Selena Juneau-Vogel (she/her) staring confidently at the camera" %}
I’ve worked in service organizations for my whole career but I assumed the government, especially the federal government, was too monolithic and staid for me to grow or contribute. But when a friend pointed me to an 18F job posting, I was drawn in by the exciting language of human-centered design, open source, and product thinking. I’m so grateful to be in this community of diverse, talented, and driven changemakers who widen the cracks in the monolith to let the light in. - Selena Juneau-Vogel, Product Manager
-Ayushi Roy (she/her) smiling confidently at the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/roy_ayushi.jpeg" "height-card-lg" "Ayushi Roy (she/her) smiling confidently at the camera" %}
I’ve been a public servant for most of my career, though not always a technologist. When I was asked to help build out the Innovation Office for the City of Oakland, I learned 80% of what I knew by reading 18F’s guides and playbooks. I was blown away, became a huge fan of 18F and its values, and aspired to one day have the opportunity to serve the organization (and maybe even become a playbook-writer myself!). Perhaps it comes as no surprise then that I chose my birthday as the date on which to take the oath of office and start my first day on this dream job. - Ayushi Roy, Product Manager
-Patrick Kigongo (he/him) looking confidently at the camera with a bookcase behind him +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/patrick_kigongo.jpeg" "height-card-lg" "Patrick Kigongo (he/him) looking confidently at the camera with a bookcase behind him" %}
I’ve spent much of my career bouncing between nonprofits and the private sector. Despite living and working in D.C. for nearly a decade, I never worked in the federal government. I became a fan of 18F shortly after relocating to the west coast and in 2019 I arrived at a professional crossroads, and decided to redirect my energies towards public service. When I saw a job posting for an 18F product manager role in March 2020, I took it as a sign. Each day since I took my oath of office later that summer, I’ve been humbled by the brilliance and dedication of everyone in this organization. - Patrick Kigongo, Product Manager
-No image available, instead we used the 18F logo +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/18f-logo-l.png" "height-card-lg" "No image available, instead we used the 18F logo" %}
Joining 18F was a chance to apply my whole self to things that really matter — to unapologetically frame problems like a designer and solutions like an engineer, to be an individual contributor who occasionally gets lost in the big picture, to tackle challenges that come at me sideways. @@ -304,14 +304,14 @@ Joining 18F was a chance to apply my whole self to things that really matter — [Back to the table of contents](#chapters) -Hannah Kane (she/her) smiling confidently at the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/hannah_kane.jpg" "height-card-lg" "Hannah Kane (she/her) smiling confidently at the camera" %}
I think there are many levers one can pull to make a meaningful contribution to society, but working in government has afforded me access to what feels like one of the most direct levers. It also helps that 18F is working on such exciting projects, and bringing proven human-centered and iterative processes to the work. - Hannah Kane, Account Manager
-Glenn Grieves (he/him) smiling happily at the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/glenn.grieves.jpg" "height-card-lg" "Glenn Grieves (he/him) smiling happily at the camera" %}
After spending most of my career in the private sector (advertising and tech), it became clear to me that the user’s experience is everything. A customer’s only interaction with a brand may be through a website or an app, and great user experiences are an opportunity to secure customer loyalty and trust. To me, improving the user experience of government is the same idea. We have an opportunity to build trust and deliver for the American people - to solve problems that truly matter. I wanted to contribute. @@ -322,7 +322,7 @@ After spending most of my career in the private sector (advertising and tech), i [Back to the table of contents](#chapters) -Alan Brouilette (he/him) looking confidently away from the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/brouilette_alan.jpg" "height-card-lg" "Alan Brouilette (he/him) looking confidently away from the camera" %}
The magnitude of the problem 18F is trying to help solve. This problem won’t be solved in a generation, and I like challenges. @@ -333,7 +333,7 @@ The magnitude of the problem 18F is trying to help solve. This problem won’t b [Back to the table of contents](#chapters) -Miatta Myers (she/her) smiling happily at the camera +{% image_with_class "assets/blog/miatta-myers.png" "height-card-lg" "Miatta Myers (she/her) smiling happily at the camera" %}
When I joined 18F, I had been in the federal acquisition field for over 10 years and I knew that the government’s traditional way of buying software was not working but I couldn’t figure out why. When I learned about 18F and its tech procurement innovations, I just knew I had to be a part of such a dedicated and passionate team that not only wants to help agencies provide better digital services but also strives to make procurement joyful! I am very proud of the work we do at 18F and our commitment to serve the public. @@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ When I joined 18F, I had been in the federal acquisition field for over 10 years
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I was a contracting officer for about 15 years before joining 18F. I was growing frustrated by the status quo and was interested in the idea of experimenting with new approaches to contracting for IT services. I also wanted to learn more about the digital services I was buying on behalf of my customers, and thought 18F would help me become a better buyer. It’s been a great experience and I love being able to work with other contracting officers that have similar interests in improving the nature of procurement. I’ve found the vast majority of procurement folks we’ve worked with are excited about the prospect of trying new approaches, and it’s led to better outcomes and helped expand the marketplace.