About the Experience: For two academic quarters (April 2017 - August 2017) I was a co-operative extern with The Tesla List/Innovation 4.0, overseeing the organization's curriculum development needs.  Innovation 4.0 is a non-profit that provides entrepreneurial and new leadership paradigms to under served communities. I was paired with Innovation 4.0 based on my interests and the needs of the organization and worked closely with founders to streamline and modify their curriculum. In the first quarter, I modularized Innovation 4.0's curriculum and created separate mentor and student workbooks. After being asked to remain for a second quarter, I helped the organization create a curriculum that is flexible and modifiable so that Innovation 4.0 can work with a variety of other organizations on virtually any timetable. 

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What I Learned: While my master's program introduced me to the research behind education inequalities, my externship provided me with a real-life example - both of the problem and a solution. I was able to visit a charter school in Cleveland with my mentor which illustrated to me the need for programs like this that allow people of all skills and backgrounds to succeed. After spending several months with the curriculum, I have incorporated some of Innovation 4.0's creative thinking tenants into my everyday life and have grown to embrace the H.A.V.O.C around me. 

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Skills: Working with my supervisor, I learned a great deal about both the educational non-profit world and found ways to incorporate my educational training in a practical setting. As this was a remote externship, I became an adept and succinct communicator through a variety of mediums. I also learned how to be flexible in my own work product as I worked cooperatively with outside stakeholders to create a product that would meet the needs of everyone involved.  Furthermore, I incorporated and refined outside skills, such as technology and software, to create a professional and polished deliverable. 

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