What’s the best way to learn entrepreneurship? Everyone’s journey is different, but to help aspiring entrepreneurs have the best chance of success, SCET utilizes its award-winning pedagogy, the Berkeley Method of Entrepreneurship. The Berkeley Method takes a holistic and journey-based approach to teaching entrepreneurship to prepare aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators, not only by teaching frameworks, approaches, cases, and business models, but also by helping students understand the entrepreneurial mindset and practice making their ideas real in our highly immersive, game-based, hands-on, and interdisciplinary courses.
To create highly immersive classes that simulate real world professional and startup environments for students can be a lot more work to organize than classic course models that focus on one-way communication from the lecturer to the student. Our unique course structure would not be possible without the support of SCET course coordinators, which are student assistants hired by SCET to support faculty in creating our dynamic courses.
Click on the photos below to meet our Spring 2023 course coordinators and learn more about their backgrounds, ambitions, future plans and experience in the SCET classroom!
Course Coordinator Profiles
ENGIN 183D: Product Management
Aria Yang
M.J Journalism 2023
Course: ENGIN 183D Product Management
Can you share your background and any relevant experience you have in the fields of entrepreneurship, innovation, or education?
My name is Aria Yang, a graduate student specializing in the multimedia track at UC Berkeley's School of Journalism. My academic journey has allowed me to master the art of storytelling through creative mediums like data visualizations, and interactive web design. I also serve as the innovator in Residence at the SCET Challenge Lab, where I lead workshops on storytelling and user empathy to student entrepreneurs - my passion for innovation and creativity drives me to help others in building their ideas.
But my experience doesn't end there - As a former product management intern at Evernote, I've gained a deep understanding of what it takes to build and launch successful products. In the future, I hope to leverage my broad range of skills and insights make a meaningful impact on the media industry.
What is your favorite part about working as a Course Coordinator for these classes, and why?
As a Course Coordinator for these classes, my favorite part is the opportunity to engage with the students and learn about their innovative product ideas. Witnessing their passion and commitment to creating positive change is truly inspiring.
Furthermore, it's incredibly fulfilling to observe the transformation of their initial ideas into tangible prototypes or fully functioning apps within just a few months. It's evident that the students have invested time and effort into their work, and seeing their results is a testament to their hard work and dedication.
Overall, working with such driven and creative individuals is a rewarding experience that I cherish as a Course Coordinator.
How do you keep up with the latest trends and developments in entrepreneurship and innovation?
As a journalism student, staying up-to-date with the latest trends and developments is crucial to my learning journey. I regularly read technology articles from various reputable sources such as the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, which are conveniently available to me through free Cal student subscription.
In addition to these mainstream media outlets, I rely on a range of specialized resources such as a16z, YC library, TechCrunch, Lenny’s newsletters, Morning Brew, and Casey Winters’ blog posts. These resources provide me with in-depth insights and analysis on emerging technologies, business strategies, and industry trends.
Furthermore, I’m also starting my own newsletter to curate different learning resources I find useful!
What advice do you have for students who are considering taking these courses or pursuing careers in entrepreneurship and innovation?
Be adaptable, embrace change, and never stop learning.
Rene Martinez Doehner
B.A Data Science 2023
Course: ENGIN 183D: Product Management
Can you share your background and any relevant experience you have in the fields of entrepreneurship, innovation, or education?
I'm very passionate about Product Management, however, most of my professional experience has been in Data Analytics. I'm a 2-time Data Engineering Intern at Meta, and have worked in the Central Integrity and Supply Chain Insights teams. Additionally, I'm currently working at Concorde Health, a health-tec startup aiming to lower worker injury compensation. I have learned that I love being at the intersection of product and data.
What is your favorite part about working as a Course Coordinator for these classes, and why?
My favorite part about my role as a Course Coordinator was working with Derek Chan, and getting to know him personally. Derek has been a great mentor, and I've learned so many valuable lessons from him. From written communication frameworks, to product management prioritization and conflict resolution.
What advice do you have for students who are considering taking these courses or pursuing careers in entrepreneurship and innovation?
In my experience, success in entrepreneurship boils down to the ability to work with people. The best student groups, are those than can work well together and leverage each others strengths (in different fields of design/engineering/business).
What are your post-graduation plans?
I am actively interviewing for full-time opportunities in Data Science, Data Engineering and Product Management.
Sepehr Khosravi
Data Science Fall 2023
Course: Product Management
What inspired you to become a Course Coordinator for entrepreneurship and innovation classes?
Although my academic background is technical, taking this course had a profound impact on my career path. It completely changed what I wanted to do for my career from software engineering to product management. I've always been super passionate about teaching as well, so having the opportunity to facilitate teaching the course was a dream position.
What advice do you have for students who are considering taking these courses or pursuing careers in entrepreneurship and innovation?
Even if you don't plan on becoming an entrepreneur, taking business courses or learning about entrepreneurship can be incredibly valuable. The skills you acquire in entrepreneurship classes go beyond just starting a business. They're crucial for being a leader in your own life too. You truly get out of these classes what you put into them, so I would recommend to take them seriously and make the most of the experience.
What are your summer plans OR (if graduating) what are your post-graduation plans? If you are looking for opportunities, you can also state that here.
Over the summer I will be interning as a software engineer at Coinbase. I'm super excited to be joining one of my dream companies and hope to be given a chance to return post graduation or otherwise apply for their associate product manager position after graduation.
"Aria is a talented multimedia storyteller (plus connoisseur), René is an ultimate team collaborator with people and technology (plus globetrotter), and Sepehr is an influential energizing presenter (plus educator) whose future companies will be fortunate to partner with them! Each of them could have applied their Product Management (PM) and other skills elsewhere but chose to be essential PM Course Coordinators, leveraging their industry work and course alum experiences to help our students, industry speakers, and faculty/staff such as me!" – Derek Chan, instructor, Product Management.
ENGIN 183A/283A: A. Richard Newton Lecture Series: A Berkeley Changemaker® Course
Amy Jain
B.A. Cognitive Science & Computer Science 2024/2025
Course: A. Richard Newton Lecture Series: A Berkeley Changemaker® Course
What did you learn being an SCET course coordinator for Spring 2023?
The biggest thing I learned was that you can find inspiration anywhere/ everywhere you look. Entrepreneurial figures aren't necessarily only the ones that have the unicorn companies and news headlines, but also the food cart owner selling mangoes with tajin and chamoy to help his family. Inspirational stories are everywhere, and we just have to look.
Can you share your background and any relevant experience you have in the fields of entrepreneurship, innovation, or education?
Though my entrepreneurial journey began at a young age where I'd stage art auctions at my house and force my family members to buy "one-of-a-kind" paintings sketched on tissue papers and bracelets of string, more recent entrepreneurial experience comes from being a part of the founding team at a company in Skydeck.
How do you keep up with the latest trends and developments in entrepreneurship and innovation?
One of the first bookmarks on my laptop is from Hacker News (Y Combinator), and it's one of the first things I do every morning. Other than that, I follow a lot of VC Partners & inspiring figures on LinkedIn because they're usually the first to post about the latest developments in any and every sector.
What advice do you have for students who are considering taking these courses or pursuing careers in entrepreneurship and innovation?
Often times the value of something is derived of it’s difficulty/ rarity. CS70 is so revered because of its grade distributions, and some of the most famous Berkeley classes are also known to be some of the difficult. Entrepreneurship and innovation classes are either P/NP, or very easy A’s if you put in the work, and hence it’s very easy to dismiss them as less important or valuable. And I would warn everyone against this fallacy. Because enrolling in these SCET classes was one of the best things I did in my time at Cal. I was able to learn weekly from some of the most renowned industry leaders/ former entrepreneurs and make a network with some of the most ambitious Berkeley students who will be the industry leaders and changemakers of tomorrow (it’s where I met my co-founder, too!) . Where else would I be able to get such a golden opportunity? The value of these classes is what you make and extract from it, and so I encourage everyone to optimize it as well 🙂
What are your summer plans OR (if graduating) what are your post-graduation plans? If you are looking for opportunities, you can also state that here.
I am looking for opportunities in banking/ PE/ VC as well as mentors to help me navigate and prepare me in the long run to run my own startup successfully! Any and all help and advice is welcome 🙂 I have so much yet to learn + grow!
Sukkriti Nath
B.S. Business Administration and B.A. Economics 2024
Course: Richard Newton Lecture Series
What is your favorite part about working as a Course Coordinator for these classes, and why?
As a course coordinator for Richard Newton Lecture Series, I have the opportunity to network with top industry professionals, hear their inspirational journeys, and get a closer understanding of why they do what they do.
What are your summer plans OR (if graduating) what are your post-graduation plans? If you are looking for opportunities, you can also state that here.
I'll be a M&A Consulting Intern in the Strategy and Transactions Team at EY, in SF!
"Collaborating with our course coordinators is critical for immediate and actionable course feedback, allowing us to continuously pivot and adapt to student needs. We are fortunate that the Newton Series coordinators tend to stay in their roles for multiple semesters and then share best practices with newer coordinators. Course coordination is one of the many aspects that make the SCET experience so valuable." – Victoria Howell, instructor, A. Richard Newton Lecture Series.
ENGIN 183C-003: SportsTech, Entrepreneurship & the Future of Sports | A Berkeley Changemaker® Course
Milo Harmon Maurer
B.A. Molecular and Cellular Biology 2024
Course: SportsTech, Entrepreneurship & the Future of Sports | A Berkeley Changemaker® Course
What is your favorite part about working as a Course Coordinator for these classes, and why?
My favorite part is getting to know the students as individuals and being able to mentor them through the class so they can have the very best experience possible. Each class is always so unique and everyone involved is often so driven and motivated and ready to learn.
Can you share any memorable or rewarding moments you've experienced while working as a Course Coordinator?
Near the end of the semester it is super exciting to see all the hard work, time, and energy into investing in how they pitch their venture/product/solution. I've seen people come a really long way and grow both personally and professionally throughout these fast-paced, exciting 15 weeks of the semester.
How do you believe the courses you coordinate prepare students for their careers, whether they pursue entrepreneurship or not?
These courses empower students to embrace failure as a catalyst for growth while fostering vibrant connections, lively conversations, and collaborative problem-solving as they pursue their careers of choice. In these classes, students may freely explore their passions, uncover innovative solutions, and embark on a transformative journey that ultimately enriches their professional development on this adventure.
What advice do you have for students who are considering taking these courses or pursuing careers in entrepreneurship and innovation?
Throw yourself at the invaluable opportunities presented by these courses and the exceptional SCET staff and faculty. The people here offer a wealth of wisdom and insights that are not often found in traditional classes, shaping not only your career trajectory but also your relationships and broader perspective on life beyond school. Prepare to embark on a transformative journey that imparts invaluable knowledge, propelling you toward success in ways unparalleled by any other educational program or experience.
Varun Verma
B.S Computer Science & Business 2026
Course: SportsTech, Entrepreneurship & the Future of Sports | A Berkeley Changemaker® Course
Can you share your background and any relevant experience you have in the fields of entrepreneurship, innovation, or education?
I started an esports company a few years ago with a mission to connect high school gamers with collegiate resources and opportunities. Since our COVID-era acquisition, I have been all over the place exploring computer science, machine learning, biology, and more.
Can you share any memorable or rewarding moments you've experienced while working as a Course Coordinator?
The pitches towards the end of the semester have been so rewarding. The class started with vague and random ideas for potential innovation, but is ending with fleshed out visions, prototypes, and pitches to venture capitalists. It is great to see all of the work from our students come to fruition.
What advice do you have for students who are considering taking these courses or pursuing careers in entrepreneurship and innovation?
You really get out of it what you put in. The teams that come in eager with a vision to make change tend to put together the best presentations and look the best in front of our VC partners. Alternatively, we see a lot of teams just taking the class for the heck of it. Both are ok, but set clear expectations and goals towards the start of the class!
What are your summer plans OR (if graduating) what are your post-graduation plans? If you are looking for opportunities, you can also state that here.
I'll be spending the summer as an intern at Roblox. However, I expect to be spending most of my time learning, exploring, and building some cool tools 🙂
ENGIN 183C-001: AltMeat: Product Design of Plant-Based Foods
Nicole Nelson
Master in BioProcess Engineering, Spring 2023
Course: Eng 183 Alt Meat Challenge Lab
What did you learn being an SCET course coordinator for Spring 2023?
I enjoyed working with each team and learning just how creative all the students are with their solutions in the alternative meat space. They each took their challenges and came up with innovative technical solutions.
What inspired you to become a Course Coordinator for entrepreneurship and innovation classes?
I myself have an entrepreneur spirit and since I have taken the course before, I felt that I could be a mentor in growing other students in their own entrepreneurship.
Can you share your background and any relevant experience you have in the fields of entrepreneurship, innovation, or education?
My passion for entrepreneurship manifest in wanting to bring innovative climate solutions to industrial scale. Thus when I took the alternative meat class, I worked on a project that compiled data on alternative ingredient sources to help streamline designers in choosing a fitting ingredient for their desired functionality. From there, I began working for a local Berkeley start up called Zestbio where we worked on processing orange peels into useful chemicals to replace petroleum based chemicals. Beyond my graduation here at Cal, I am planning on working on a project hosted in the Alt. Meat lab utilizing vertical farming to source vaccine adjuvants instead of traditional deforestation routes.
What is your favorite part about working as a Course Coordinator for these classes, and why?
I love seeing the students projects grow and develop into full fledge ideas. I enjoy encouraging them to think from different angles and supportive in taking these projects outside the classrooms.
How do you keep up with the latest trends and developments in entrepreneurship and innovation?
I keep up with trends by talking to as many different people within the biotech field. Everyone has insights on what is going well and what investors are looking for so talking to local biotech CEO is really helpful.
How do you believe the courses you coordinate prepare students for their careers, whether they pursue entrepreneurship or not?
Yes this course defiantly prepares students for their careers beyond cal. It gets them out of the classroom and into labs/development of a novel idea. This let them express what they have learned through their majors into projects that they grow themselves. That develops independent thinking and motivation.
What advice do you have for students who are considering taking these courses or pursuing careers in entrepreneurship and innovation?
Just do it. It is hard but worth the time.
ENGIN 183B: Berkeley Method of Entrepreneurship Bootcamp
Nick Wong
B.A. Data Science 2023, SCET Certificate
Course: Berkeley Method of Entrepreneurship Bootcamp
What inspired you to become a Course Coordinator for entrepreneurship and innovation classes?
Growing up in Hawai'i, there weren't many opportunities to learn and practice skills in entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology. I was fortunate to have been a part of and supported the few programs that were created to help empower youth and expose them to the world of entrepreneurship and technology. A passion to practice entrepreneurship, specifically with web technologies used in a social impact context, is what brought me to Berkeley and what led me to explore the opportunities to learn and lead within SCET. My passion, along with a calling to help represent native Hawaiians in technology and entrepreneurship, has inspired me to become a Course Coordinator.
Can you share your background and any relevant experience you have in the fields of entrepreneurship, innovation, or education?
Attended then lead the Naluaki Startup Camp in Waimea, Hawai'i. Like Bootcamp, but for HS students in Hawai'i. Just been curious about startups since Sophomore year of HS.
What is your favorite part about working as a Course Coordinator for these classes, and why?
By the third night of the SCET bootcamp, startups are forming, pitches are solidifying, and folks are getting tired. They've spent all week tweaking and pivoting both their ideas and their presentations. It's hard work! My favorite moments as course coordinator have come with working with teams at these moments, listening to them practice their presentations on stage, and helping teams process feedback from investors and mentors. Often a piece of feedback can throw a team for a spin and force them to reconsider what they're even working on. It is so rewarding and intellectually challenging to help guide teams through this and most importantly get them inspired and confident to work through the adversity to achieve a great product made together.
Can you share any memorable or rewarding moments you've experienced while working as a Course Coordinator?
Having the opportunity to fly to Korea with Prof. Gigi Wang and present on practicing a Service Leadership mindset at a conference was a memorable experience of my SCET Course Coordinating journey. Throughout my undergraduate experience at Berkeley, I have had to work through bouts of Imposter Syndrome--not feeling like I was "good enough" to make an impact. Speaking and sharing my entrepreneurial journey throughout my time as a course coordinator has helped me build a deeper belief in myself to know that I CAN figure out what it truly takes to be an high-impact entrepreneur, founder, mentor, mentee, and contributor.
How do you keep up with the latest trends and developments in entrepreneurship and innovation?
I'm still on Twitter 😅
How do you believe the courses you coordinate prepare students for their careers, whether they pursue entrepreneurship or not?
The bootcamp is a special five days. Equal parts learning the theory and putting it into practice. Being that the course is only a week long, the time pressure acts as a great forcing-function for students to practice being resourceful and taking initiative to solve problems quickly. I've found that these are the traits that differentiate some of the best entrepreneurs and employees from the rest.
What advice do you have for students who are considering taking these courses or pursuing careers in entrepreneurship and innovation?
Engage with the world! Befriend those in your SCET classes and get to know the staff. It's been such a pleasure to have come across SCET and have made amazing professional and personal relationships through the department.
What are your summer plans OR (if graduating) what are your post-graduation plans? If you are looking for opportunities, you can also state that here.
I've been fortunate to have been working with Paragon (YC W20) for about a year now. I'm working as a Product Manager and am equally inspired and fulfilled by my work. I get to apply my learnings from my SCET and entrepreneurship classes daily! I will be moving to San Francisco at the end of the 2023 school year. I'm excited for the next chapter of my entrepreneurial journey.
Riya Kumar
B.S. EECS 2024
Course: Berkeley Method of Entrepreneurship (BMOE) Bootcamp
What did you learn being an SCET course coordinator for Spring 2023?
I learn so much from the speakers at bootcamp, even if I am hearing their presentation for the second or third time. Now that I am pursuing a startup myself, it is valuable to hear about someone's entrepreneurship journey and their life lessons and be able to apply it to my own trajectory.
What inspired you to become a Course Coordinator for entrepreneurship and innovation classes?
BMOE made me rethink what kind of career I see for myself. I love being around the passion and the people. I wanted to become a course coordinator so I could continue to be in the environment that inspires me to think bigger.
Can you share your background and any relevant experience you have in the fields of entrepreneurship, innovation, or education?
After taking bootcamp, I competed in and won Collider Cup! After that, I was a part of Sky Deck's pad-13. Since then, I have taken many more SCET classes. I love being around passionate people with big ideas!
What is your favorite part about working as a Course Coordinator for these classes, and why?
My favorite part about working as a Course Coordinator for BMOE is meeting the incredible people who come in, students and speakers. The class attracts people from all over campus and even all over the world. I have never been an environment with such a unique mix of people quite like this. I love hearing the ideas that the groups come up with and working with them to concisely convey those ideas in the best way.
Can you share any memorable or rewarding moments you've experienced while working as a Course Coordinator?
This semester, a team I worked closely with competed and placed in Collider Cup. When I was sitting in the audience, watching them pitch, I felt so proud. It is rewarding to work with such passionate people and see their hard work pay off.
How do you keep up with the latest trends and developments in entrepreneurship and innovation?
Mostly just reading the news or blogs. Twitter sometimes.
How do you believe the courses you coordinate prepare students for their careers, whether they pursue entrepreneurship or not?
One of the courses' main focuses is pitching. Even if a student does not end up pitching to investors, being able to effectively convey your thoughts in a way that engages whoever you are speaking to is a valuable skill. I think it could be applied to any job. Beyond that, the class teaches you how to collaborate with people of all backgrounds. Teams work closely all week and create their final pitch together. Entrepreneurship or not, it is essential to be able to work well with other people. Overall, BMOE creates an environment that is different from a traditional classroom setting, a great place to polish off your networking skills.
What advice do you have for students who are considering taking these courses or pursuing careers in entrepreneurship and innovation?
Take the leap and try it out. These courses are so different than traditional classes. They are interactive and engaging, and BMOE specifically is totally immersive for a week. It is a great place to break out of your shell.
What are your summer plans OR (if graduating) what are your post-graduation plans? If you are looking for opportunities, you can also state that here.
This summer I will be working as PM intern for Tinder. In addition, I will be continuing work on my startup, Ovo Box, that I started in BMOE.
Tanmay Vijaywargiya
B.A. Data Science 2023, B.A. Economics 2023
Course: Berkeley Method of Entrepreneurship (BMOE) Bootcamp
What did you learn being an SCET course coordinator for Spring 2023?
College is the ultimate learning environment and I understood that firsthand while being a Course Coordinator. Even though I was not the "student" in the class, I took in an incredible amount of knowledge this past semester interacting with my peers and the mentors who supported our thought-provoking discussions.
What inspired you to become a Course Coordinator for entrepreneurship and innovation classes?
I want to build a company. I think this was the biggest motivation for me to get so heavily involved with the startup space and it is what continues to push me as a Course Coordinator. I love that everyone around me has similar passions, with their own unique twists and we can feed off each others' ideas.
Can you share your background and any relevant experience you have in the fields of entrepreneurship, innovation, or education?
I was part of the BMOE Bootcamp my Spring 2022 semester in which I founded a startup "Via" that won the venture pitch competition. I have been a Project Manager and VP of a Berkeley consulting club, responsible for multiple projects. I have worked with Engineering Executives from the Bay Area as part of the ELPP program to create startups.
What is your favorite part about working as a Course Coordinator for these classes, and why?
My favorite part of working as a Course Coordinator is being able to interact fully with the students. I love how intense everyone gets during our class and focused on building something successful. This energy is what I love to be a part of: jumping from peer to peer, picking through their thoughts and building productive conversation that can create success. Interacting with my peers in an intense and fulfilling environment is a fuel.
"The BMOE Bootcamp course coordinators are one the best parts of the class. All of them excelled in the course themselves, so they are invaluable in helping to run the program and to mentor the new student startup teams on their bootcamp entrepreneurship journey. The students and I couldn’t live without them.” – Gigi Wang, instructor, Berkeley Method of Entrepreneurship Bootcamp.
ENGIN 183C-002: Challenge Lab - Redefining Success: The Unspoken Rules of Building an Entrepreneurial Career | A Berkeley Changemaker Course
Elisa Marconell
B.S. Economics 2024
Course: ENGIN183C: Redefining Success
What is your favorite part about working as a Course Coordinator for these classes, and why?
What I love most about being a Course Coordinator is the opportunity to work closely with students and witness their growth as they pursue their projects! It's amazing to see them become increasingly passionate about their work and being a part of their journey as they develop their ideas. I particularly enjoy the process of providing pitch feedback and helping them navigate the practical aspects of their projects. It is the most fulfilling job I could ever ask for - it allows me to support students as they develop their creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills!
How do you keep up with the latest trends and developments in entrepreneurship and innovation?
I love listening to podcasts - they make me feel productive even when doing something as simple as walking to class or helping update grades! Some of my favorite ones include WSJ Tech News Briefing by The Wall Street Journal and Equity by TechCrunch.
What advice do you have for students who are considering taking these courses or pursuing careers in entrepreneurship and innovation?
Do not be afraid to share your ideas! Collaboration and cooperation are integral to these courses; you can gain so much from brainstorming with your classmates and engaging in constructive discussion. Please remember that our classroom is a supportive environment and from course staff to your fellow students - we are here to be a resource!
What are your summer plans OR (if graduating) what are your post-graduation plans? If you are looking for opportunities, you can also state that here.
I will be interning at J.P. Morgan under the Technology Coverage Investment Banking practice. The technology sector has always intrigued me, and I look forward to being part of the next stage of a company's lifecycle. Whether it is M&A, debt issuance, or even taking a new tech company public - I will definitely be keeping my eye out for any SCET founders in the future 😉
Saara Tayani
B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies 2023
Course: Spring 2023 ENGIN 183C Challenge Lab - Redefining Success: The Unspoken Rules of Building an Entrepreneurial Career | A Berkeley Changemaker Course
What inspired you to become a Course Coordinator for entrepreneurship and innovation classes?
All the SCET classes I took as an undergraduate enabled me to think autonomously, live with agency, and connect with thought leaders. I became curious about how instructors manage to create such immersive and engaging learning environments for students, while also working in industry. After investing so much of my time and energy in SCET classes, and working with startups and small/midsize businesses, I began to realize how applicable the courses assignments and objectives are to the real-world.
What is your favorite part about working as a Course Coordinator for these classes, and why?
I've cherished the opportunity to witness students, instructors, and guest speakers building relationships, connecting the dots, and enjoying the classess from a third-person perspective. Having taken various Challenge Labs myself, I have experienced the value of engaging with the course and being fully present; so, I love to see other people immersing themselves in the lively class experience. It's an incredibly satisfying and heart-warming feeling.
How do you believe the courses you coordinate prepare students for their careers, whether they pursue entrepreneurship or not?
Taking these courses provides you with access to diverse leaders who bring real-world experience and expertise into the classroom. The valuable insights and practical advice shared by instructors, guest speakers, and students, provides students with opportunities for braining storming, change-making, and building solutions. Ultimately, this helps us succeed in our careers by bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world practice.
What are your summer plans OR (if graduating) what are your post-graduation plans? If you are looking for opportunities, you can also state that here.
I'm thrilled to continue working with the SCET Team in collaboration with the European Innovation Academy as an Ambassador and Mentor. I will be participating in a 4 week program, representing over 500+ students and 70+ universities worldwide, acting as a bridge between UC Berkeley students and program leaders, while promoting the premier summer innovation bootcamp for entrepreneurs and corporate innovators to the wider community.
In Fall of 2023, I am looking for opportunities to continue learning value-based, organizational, human-centered design. I am especially interested in sustainability and organizations on a mission to build a circular economy.
"We have Elisa and Saara to thank for such an incredible semester -- we really couldn't have done it without both of them! Their work, ideas and energy truly made the experience for students -- we are so grateful to be able to co-create the course with them both ❤️ we're excited for more to come!" - Shuo Chen, instructor, Redefining Success: The Unspoken Rules of Building an Entrepreneurial Career.
ENGIN 183C-005: Challenge Lab - Designing Startups to Transform Society | A Berkeley Changemaker® Course
Colin Steidtmann
B.S. Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences ‘24
Course: Designing Startups to Transform Society Challenge Lab
What did you learn being an SCET course coordinator for Spring 2023?
I coordinated a course that featured "IIRs," or Innovators in Residence, who were Berkeley students with impressive experience in entrepreneurship. They took charge of a weekly class and provided valuable mentorship to student teams in the challenge lab. Witnessing the impact of having peer-led instruction through IIRs was enlightening, as it became clear that students derive greater value from the course when they are taught by their fellow classmates, in addition to the main instructors.
What inspired you to become a Course Coordinator for entrepreneurship and innovation classes?
Last semester, I took a SCET course that had a course coordinator who was helpful and dedicated to the class. I also recognized that the position of a course coordinator could provide me with more opportunities to engage with entrepreneurship and other students who shared my passion.
Can you share any memorable or rewarding moments you've experienced while working as a Course Coordinator?
The final presentations were the most satisfying part of the semester. It was incredible to see the progress the teams had made since the earlier stages of the course. Working with some of the teams earlier in the semester, I remember discussing different directions for their startups and assessing feasibility. Witnessing their final product demos was a great memory that inspires me to keep pushing forward, even in the face of challenges.
How do you keep up with the latest trends and developments in entrepreneurship and innovation?
I keep up with things by observing the world around me, seeing what my friends are classmates are using or are interested in, and consuming many forms of media such as YouTube, podcasts, or reading newsletters. The newsletters from SCET and Berkeley Engineering usually have the most cutting edge tech tech stories, while the traditional news outlets like Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal, and Financial Times have great explanations of the innovations that more people are familiar with.
How do you believe the courses you coordinate prepare students for their careers, whether they pursue entrepreneurship or not?
Whether you pursue entrepreneurship or not, you'll want your voice and ideas to be heard at some point; SCET courses help you with that by putting you in teams for the entire semester, you're doing customer interviews, putting together a business plan, and developing an MVP. These courses prepare you by developing your social, professional, and creativity skills.
What advice do you have for students who are considering taking these courses or pursuing careers in entrepreneurship and innovation?
Just do it. YOLO. What do you have to lose? In-person entrepreneurship courses are rare, meeting other people who are interested in startups and entrepreneurship is also difficult outside of these classes. If you don't do it now and make connections while in college, you may find yourself spending $$$ to go to conferences or looking for niche meetups after work. It's much easier to do it in college, in my opinion.