As part of our Meet Our Partners series, hear from Kevin, a graduate student and intern with Simon Says Collaborate!

Hi, Kevin! Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?

I live in Denver, Colorado, USA. I am currently a graduate student at the University of Colorado Denver, earning a Master of Science in International Business. Prior to starting grad school, I worked in B2C sales and student advising for two Education Technology (EdTech) companies. My personal interests include running, foreign languages (Spanish & Portuguese), going to live music shows, and playing trivia.

How did you end up interning with Simon Says Collaborate?

Simon, the founder of Simon Says Collaborate, is also a graduate of CU-Denver. Earlier this year, he presented at an alumni event which I attended. One of my professors knew that I had a background in EdTech, and suggested I might be interested in working with Simon. I reached out to Simon after his presentation, and he agreed to bring me on as a summer intern.

In addition to being excited to help with an EdTech platform, I was also pleased with Simon Says Collaborate's international focus. I am based in the US, Simon is based in Australia, and the company seeks clients from all over the world. Since I am an international business student, this was an added plus for me.

For teachers, remember that we are here to work with you and help you design your optimal learning experience

What work do you do for Simon Says Collaborate?

I have primarily been assisting with designing content for the website and designing advertisements to find new users. Because my background is in B2C sales and advising, this has been a new and valuable experience for me. I have also had the chance to work through many of the modules which will eventually be live on our EdTech platform, to test the site and give feedback when needed.

What are some of your main takeaways from this experience?

To me, the most interesting part has been working with a startup. Simon and I have often had to be creative about my day-to-day activities, depending on what tasks were highest priority that day, and what opportunities came up. This is a different experience from having a clearly defined role in an existing organization, where many daily activities are predetermined. In addition to giving a new perspective on business operations, this experience has also given me an appreciation for just how much work it takes to design a functional company from scratch.

Do you have any advice for a new user on the Simon Says Collaborate platform?

For teachers, remember that we are here to work with you and help you design your optimal learning experience. Because we offer asynchronous classes, you can design modules at your convenience, and revise them with feedback from your learners and from our team. Don't worry about getting it right the first time! The process is made to be flexible and user friendly.

For learners, remember that there is no one right answer, and that the platform is a judgment free zone. Simon Says Collaborate is based on the Productive Failure model. A feeling of struggle is normal, and we don't expect learners to know how to answer everything on their first attempt. I have worked through many of the modules myself, and once you get used to it, it is a great way to learn! Expect to think critically and encounter new perspectives you hadn't considered.