Celebrating the Class of 2023: YSYS and Google UX Design Scholars
The journey of the YSYS and Google UX Design Scholarship has been nothing short of remarkable. This unique programme, a partnership between YSYS and Google, was more than just a learning opportunity; it was a transformative experience that centred on community, innovation, and resilience. From an impressive pool of over 200 applicants, we are excited to have awarded 50 talented and diverse students with Google’s UX Design Certificate.
Reflecting on the scholarship, from first meetings to proud certificate awards at graduation, this journey has been packed with memorable moments. Let’s take a walk down memory lane and check out some of the standout experiences that our scholars enjoyed, shaping them into the skilled UX designers they are today.
The start of the journey
The programme kicked off with the Onboarding Day at Google’s London offices. The 50 selected scholars gathered from all over the UK with a common goal: to pivot their careers into UX Design. This event wasn’t just the first step into the curriculum, but also the first step in forming an aspirational community. One eager to learn and grow together, perfectly setting the tone for the rest of the programme.
A standout moment from the day was a fireside chat with Felicia Williams, UX Director at Google. In her session, she covered her inspiring journey, insights and advice. The perfect starting point for the scholars as they embarked on their own exciting and transformative journeys in UX Design.
Industry Events:
London Tech Week
An important part of the programme was immersing our scholars in the industry. We provided VIP access to London Tech Week, a premier event supported by the Mayor of London. Over the course of the week-long event, our scholars made the most of a whole host of learning and networking opportunities. The scholars attended insightful talks delivered by top players in industry, gaining invaluable exposure and broadening their networks.
UX Conference
A select group of scholars attended the UX conference, the perfect chance to broaden their networks and make meaningful connections. This event was especially beneficial as it resonated with the specific learnings and skills they were developing throughout the scholarship. They got to hear from the likes of Yunmie Kim, co-founder of an innovative storyboarding app, which offered a fresh perspective on traditional UX methodologies. For a deeper dive on their experience at the UX Conference, have a read of our blog post.
Building Community and Hands-On Learning
Summer Social
The Summer Social at Greenwich Park shifted focus from academics to community building. This event gave an opportunity for our scholars to connect not just with each other, but also with the broader YSYS community and alumni from past programmes. The perfect setting for networking, building lasting relationships, and lighthearted fun. The fun continued with community partnership events with Digital Catapult, UKBlackBusinessShow and V&A Design Weekend.
Mentor Sessions and Office Hours
Throughout the programme, ongoing mentor sessions and office hours provided scholars with guidance from experienced UX professionals. Mentors from companies like Depop and frog London shared practical insights and helped refine our scholars’ skills. The office hours, featuring industry giants like Accenture, provided an external perspective that complemented the certificate’s curriculum.
Thank you to our mentors and office hours speakers who contributed: Camilla, Rebecca, Sindhuja, Kristof Snez, Disha, Jake, Lee, James, Jaini, Victoria, Pierre, Philip, Emmanuel, Stephan and Tyra.
Reading Week
We partnered with Le Wagon, the home of the world’s best coding bootcamp, to host an engaging Reading Week at their London office. This week gave a unique opportunity for our scholars to come together, collaborate, and offer each other constructive feedback. A standout activity was the user testing session for Kahana, an innovative app crafted by one of our YSYS alumni. Our scholars contributed essential insights, playing a pivotal role in advancing the app’s development. This vital week fostered deeper interaction among the cohort and helped scholars prepare for the completion of the programme.
We spoke with a few of the scholars about the impact of the week and their experience. Check it out here!
The Finale: Graduation and Beyond
Graduation Ceremony, October 2023
After an intense five months filled with growth and perseverance, the cohort came together for the graduation ceremony, and we welcomed them in style to the Google HQ.
The event was enriched by heartfelt speeches from scholars, Lia Purcell and Arin Ososanya who shared their stories, motivations, and the impact of completing the programme.
Highlighting the evening were the portfolio presentations by a group of our scholars, showcasing their skills and creativity:
- Gerald Wilberforce — CREATR, a music and fashion app.
- Carmelita Antwi — Mindshare, a mental health network app.
- Carla Brown — Black Tech in Brum platform, a network designed to empower and connect black tech professionals in Birmingham.
- Grace Igbor — waste reduction platform supporting those is need with food and resources.
Panel discussions were another standout. We had industry pros and YSYS alumni share their insights and top tips, providing vital guidance that the cohort will no doubt use in their careers going forward. A big thank you to our panelists for taking the time to speak to the graduating class!
Thank you to out Industry Panelists: Tshili, Philip, and Christine, and to our YSYS Programme Alumni: Wezi, Nyasha, and Emmanuel.
The journey doesn’t end here for our scholars — they’re forever part of the YSYS family. We’re so proud of how far they’ve come and can’t wait to see the awesome things they’ll go on to achieve in UX Design.
“Completing the YSYS and Google UX Design Scholarship significantly enhanced both my knowledge and confidence. The hands-on projects and the association with Google added a level of credibility to my skills.
Thanks to this scholarship, I secured an internship at a London tech company. This opportunity has provided me with a strong foundation upon which I can continue to build and expand my knowledge in the future. It’s been a career-changing experience, and I’m excited to apply my expertise in a real-world setting”
— Filip, YSYS and Google UX Design Scholar
Congratulations to every one of our scholars who completed the UX Design Certificate! Thank you to our partners at Google who made the UX Design Certificate scholarship possible.
Our cohort is ready to bring their UX skills to the workforce. If you have opportunities in UX Design, please reach out to us to connect with our talented graduates by emailing Deborah Okenla.
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