About
I am a recent graduate of the University of San Francisco’s Professional Communication—Master of Arts program with a concentration in Technical Communication. Before entering graduate school, I had 14 years of professional experience as a writer, editor, photographer, and social media manager.
At my core, I am a storyteller. Going forward I am focused on opportunities in digital communication, brand management, and content creation. I thrive in collaborative environments, and passionate about communicating meaningful messages to audiences.
With a Bachelor’s Degree in Cinema from San Francisco State, movies and episodic television are very dear to me, but I believe that the comics medium is the most creative storytelling medium that there is. The combined use of words and pictures can be much more impactful than when deployed independently.
An avid Bay Area sports fan, I claim the Warriors and 49ers, and find myself ever conflicted with my beloved A’s.
Big Arrested Development fan, too.

University of San Francisco
Professional Communication, MA
Courses
Foundations of Communication
Ethics of Professional Communication
Technical Communication
Digital Storytelling
Crisis Communication
Health Communication
Capstone/Culminating
Portfolios
A combination of factors led me to my decision to go back to school after spending 14 years wandering the wilderness of the professional world. Nearly a full year after COVID-19 first turned the world sideways, and with the various ways that this global pandemic extracted its toll on me, I confronted the fact that the best course of action that I could take to bounce back just might be enrolling in graduate school. It wasn’t much longer until I realized that USF’s Professional Communication program (MAPC) was the solution that I was looking for.
I felt the program, its curriculum and learning outcomes were in line with my objectives to further develop my skills as a writer and visual storyteller, along with deepening my knowledge of communications.
Before entering MAPC, I had aspirations to work for creative and communication agencies. I wanted to tell the stories of companies and brands that I believe have goods and services that I feel are worthy of more wider recognition, and whose mission and ideals align with mine. So, as I embarked on my MAPC journey, it became a goal of mine to explore internship opportunities in that environment. But as my time in MAPC progressed, my search parameters widened to include non-profit organizations.
In my second year in the MAPC program, I secured a social media and digital marketing internship with Everscale Agency, a digital marketing firm whose clientele mostly consist of brands that produce healthy drink and food snacks. Thereafter, I interned for 826 Valencia, a non-profit that champions the writing development of students as early as second grade, all the way through high school. The organization has a particular focus on tutoring students in under-resourced areas, and I interned as an educational programing intern working out of the organization’s Mission Bay Center in San Francisco, CA.
Testimonials
Joey possesses a unique talent for effectively communicating complex technical concepts to diverse audiences. His ability to translate intricate information into clear and concise messages is certainly what every organization needs. Whether it's creating user-friendly documentation, notating complex processes, producing useful FAQs, or designing compelling presentations, Joey consistently has demonstrated his ability to convey technical ideas in an accessible manner useful for strategic marketing. His outstanding communication skills have significantly contributed to class success in delivering information that resonates with both technical and non-technical audiences.
Moreover, Joey excels in strategic content creation. His keen understanding of target audiences, industry trends, and strategic objectives allows him to develop and execute comprehensive content strategies that drive tangible results. He excels in using market research, identifying key indicators, and crafting content that captivates and engages readers. Joey’s insights have consistently led to the creation of impactful content that elevates brand awareness, engages customer values, and ultimately contributes to business growth.
From project to project, what sets Joey apart is his unwavering commitment to excellence, willingness to be creative, and meticulous attention to detail. Joey consistently goes above and beyond to deliver high-quality work that exceeds expectations. Joey possesses a natural ability to think creatively and strategically, often bringing fresh perspective to group and individual projects. His individual work ethic, collaborative spirit, and his willingness to support peers have fostered an exceptionally fresh and productive work environment, resulting in improved team cohesion and performance.
- David Ryan, PhD
Academic Director and Faculty Chair
Master of Arts in Professional Communication
University of San Francisco
Joey was a graduate student in my MAPC Digital Storytelling class in Spring 2022. Joey truly is a storyteller, in every sense of the word. He’s got a keen analytical mind, so all of his storytelling strategies are backed with an impressive understanding of theory and technique. One of the things I was most impressed with was the way that he adapted to specific modalities - he is as adept at telling a primarily visual story - like an Instagram carousel - as he is a primarily auditory story - like a podcast. At the same, he understands how narrative foundations - what we called the “story map” or basic story structure (setting, rising action, climax, etc) - translate across modalities. I “taught” Joey, but I also learned from him, particularly from his deep background in comic/graphic novel theory and practice. Finally, I was also impressed at Joey's commitment to craft - he doesn't just want to "get the job done," but rather, he wants to do it right. Every project demonstrates his care, attention to detail, and dynamic personal voice.
- Leigh Meredith, Associate Professor, University of San Francisco
Joey approaches his work with 826 Valencia with professionalism, energy, and drive. In his time with 862, he built meaningful relationships with students, supporting them from the early stages of writing projects to final drafts. He is a reliable team member, an effective collaborator, and an asset to any team.
- Emily Forbes-Allen
Mission Bay Programs Manager, 826 Valencia
Joey's abilities as a communicator defy easy categorization. Though writing is his strongest area, he is multifaceted, with polished skills in photography and digital communication, as well as tutoring and editing. As a student of professional communication, Joey is also equipped to analyze situations to create the best strategic choices. He has proven himself to be skilled in crisis communication, digital storytelling, and technical communication. And this kind of range allows him to think holistically about the best way to produce effective messages, regardless of situation and genre.
- Theodore Matula, Associate Professor, Department of Rhetoric and Language
University of San Francisco
We selected Joey Pangilinan for our graduate program based on his succinct and creative personal statement combined with his strong writing for the music industry. His creative approaches to assignments continued to reinforce his unique ways of thinking while he engaged others in thinking differently. This is his superpower—looking for unexpected ways to communicate effectively. He is a great team member, effective individual contributor and diligent and responsible communicator.
- Donna Uchida, Program Director, Master of Arts in Professional Communication,
University of San Francisco
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