Embracing challenges is a common theme as the roadtrippers talk to leaders like Isis Anchalee, the founder of the #ILookLikeAnEngineer hashtag promoting diversity in the industry; Angelica Inguanzo, a frontend engineer at YouTube bringing the platform to a wider audience; and Raza Ahmad, a narrative creator bringing his gameplay ideas to augmented reality games like Pokémon Go and Ingress.
Along the journey, Ericka, Anthony, and Jocey begin to see that their worries about finding a place to apply themselves can be relieved by the very interests that drive them. Technology allows people to work across time and space; its applications are endless—and, as the roadtrippers learn, no one is too far out of range to make a living doing what they love.
Joccelyn
Age 20
From San Luis, AZ
Joccelyn’s favorite subject in school was always math, but she wasn’t sure about studying it in college. That all changed when she realized that math plays a huge part in computer science. Now she’s found her subject. She loves coding and video games, so after she finishes her major in computer science, she’s aiming to work in the gaming industry. She’s looking for guidance from people working in that field and many more, so that she can pursue her dreams and become a role model for others, too.
Anthony
Age 20
From Yuma, AZ
Anthony feels a lot of pressure to do something great with his life—especially since he’s the only one in his family to graduate from high school. Because he’s the first, there’s no one to help him navigate the next step in his education. And he has so many interests, he’s not sure which to choose: satellites, 3-D modeling, computer science, and more. One possible route is the military, but until he decides for sure, he’s uncertain of his next move. Most of all, he’s looking for a community that will support him as he finds his focus.
Ericka
Age 18
From San Luis, AZ
Ericka is excited to explore all kinds of fields, from law enforcement to cybersecurity to medical and agricultural technology. She was a super-involved leader in high school, and she’s on track to be first in her family to finish college. Her father is a border patrol agent, and that’s inspired her to look into studying administration of justice with an emphasis in homeland security. On this trip, she wants to find all the ways that technology can be a gateway to everything she’s interested in, and to pave the way for others behind her.
Featured Interviews
- Catalina Laverde, Backend Software Engineer, Spotify
- Angelica Inguanzo, Frontend Software Engineer, YouTube
- Mel Irizarry, Software Engineer & Computer System Administrator, Yuma County Water Users’ Association
- Isis Anchalee, Software Engineer, Hustle
- Sarah Kramer, Chief Medical Information Officer, Yuma Regional Medical Center
- Savanna Silva, Systems Engineer, Yuma Proving Ground
- Raza Ahmad, Narrative Creator & Game Designer, Niantic
- Gabe Middleton, Co-Founder & CEO, human-I-T
- Adrianna Samaniego, Global Supplier Diversity Manager, Google
Media Contact:
Loureen Ayyoub, loureen@roadtripnation.com
Christina Reagan, creagan@kqed.org
Funding for Roadtrip Nation: Small Town Tech is made possible by: Cisco Foundation
Websites and Social Media
Website: roadtripnation.com
Education Site: roadtripnation.org
Twitter: twitter.com/RoadtripNation
Facebook: facebook.com/RoadtripNation
YouTube: youtube.com/roadtripnation
About APT:
American Public Television (APT) is the leading syndicator of high-quality, top-rated programming to the nation’s public television stations. For more than 10 years, APT has annually distributed one-third or more of the top 100 highest-rated public television titles in the U.S. Founded in 1961, among its 250 new program titles per year, APT programs include prominent documentaries, performance, news and current affairs programs, dramas, how-to programs, children’s series and classic movies. America’s Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated, Cook’s Country, AfroPoP, Rick Steves’ Europe, Chris Kimball’s Milk Street Television, Front and Center, Doc Martin, Nightly Business Report, Midsomer Murders, A Place to Call Home, Lidia’s Kitchen, Globe Trekker, New Orleans Cooking with Kevin Belton, Simply Ming, and P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home are a sampling of APT’s programs, considered some of the most popular on public television.
APT licenses programs internationally through its APT Worldwide service. Entering its 13th year, Create®TV — featuring the best of public television’s lifestyle programming — is distributed by American Public Television. APT also distributes WORLD™, public television’s premier news, science and documentary channel. To find out more about APT’s programs and services, visit APTonline.org.
About KQED
KQED serves the people of Northern California with a public-supported alternative to commercial media. An NPR and PBS affiliate based in San Francisco, KQED is home to one of the most-listened-to public radio stations in the nation, one of the highest-rated public television services and an award-winning education program helping students and educators thrive in 21st-century classrooms. A trusted news source and leader and innovator in interactive technology, KQED takes people of all ages on journeys of exploration — exposing them to new people, places, and ideas.