As a second-year Computer Science student, I’m always on the lookout for opportunities to grow my skills and apply them in real-world scenarios. Recently, I had the chance to participate in the Hack for Good Hackathon, part of the Leeds Digital Festival, hosted by Hippo Digital and DWP Digital. This event focused on collaboration while finding solutions to the challenges work coaches face daily, with the goal of improving their work-life balance and mental well-being. In this blog, I’d like to share some reflections on my experience and how it has shaped my understanding of using technology for social impact.
The hackathon brought together people from various backgrounds, all working towards the shared goal of supporting work coaches. My team of five was made up of individuals from different sectors, with a strong range of skills, particularly in UI/UX design. Some members had over 20 years of experience, while others, like me, were just beginning to learn about user-centered design (UCD). This diversity allowed us to approach the problem from multiple perspectives, creating a collaborative and enriching environment.
For me, this was an invaluable learning experience. My contributions involved researching and reviewing existing websites to gather ideas on best practices and effective design elements. I then used this research to support our brainstorming sessions, where we developed solutions tailored to the needs of work coaches. Working together, we sketched out concepts and refined them to ensure they aligned with our users’ requirements.
I also helped support the UI/UX aspects of our project, collaborating with my teammates to create a low-fidelity prototype. This hands-on work with the prototype gave me a deeper understanding of how design choices can directly impact user experience. Working alongside experienced designers was particularly insightful, as they shared valuable techniques for making our designs intuitive and accessible.
Reflecting on the experience, I found that events like Hack for Good are incredibly valuable for students like me, as they bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world applications. Developing a solution that could improve work coaches’ mental well-being not only demonstrated the immediate impact our work can have, but also deepened my appreciation for technology’s role in addressing social issues. It’s given me a stronger sense of responsibility to use my skills for positive change.
I’m grateful that our university encourages participation in events like Hack for Good. Opportunities like these provide industry exposure and practical experience that will be invaluable when we graduate. I’d especially like to thank Helen Perkins and Charlotte Rainey from the Employer Partnerships team for making me aware of this event. Through their posts on our Teams channel and platforms like LinkedIn, they ensure that students are informed about opportunities like this one that expand our horizons and help us grow.
I look forward to participating in more events like this, exploring the industry as much as I can, and continuing to develop my skills and knowledge along the way.
Arefeen Salim is a 2nd year Computer Science Student at Leeds Trinity University. She first got interested in tech and computer science when she was in her final year of high school, fuelled by a passion for technology. After attending various tech events and speaking to people in the industry, intrigued by the possibilities, she sparked an interest in pursuing a career in Artificial Intelligence.