Coursework
This interactive course involving working with El Sistema USA reinforced my interest in social innovation and entrepreneurship. Through this course, I developed the prototype of my nonprofit Buzz, a website that connects high school music students with local community partners through live music performances.
This course was perhaps the most anticipated part of my I&E journey. Examining and evaluating ways companies and organizations use the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), I engaged with ways innovation and collaboration with the private sector can support international development work. The consulting work with the I&E department enhanced my client-focused, innovative problem-solving abilities.
This keystone course has provided invaluable lessons in innovation, culture, and collaboration, emphasizing the importance of understanding evolving customer needs through market research and adopting a lean startup approach. Collaborative teamwork fostered a safe and inspiring environment, highlighting the necessity of diverse perspectives in driving innovation. Most importantly, the course reshaped my understanding of innovation as a community-driven endeavor, sparking interest in social impact consulting and reinforcing the importance of humility and empathy in the innovation process.
