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Amy, Sr. Curriculum Development Manager at Code.org: Advize Career Interview
A journalism degree and Teach for America unexpectedly launched a remarkable career path.
The journey involved a master's in education policy, work in nonprofits, and a self-taught transition into computer science, culminating in a Senior Curriculum Development Manager role at Code.org impacting billions of students annually.
This unique professional uses skills honed in journalism, coupled with a collaborative spirit and a deep conviction, to create impactful computer science curricula.
The work involves navigating complex technological topics, leading teams, and addressing the inequitable opportunity gap, all while fostering a sense of joy and hope in students globally.
Despite challenges inherent in a fully remote role, the opportunity to shape the future of education and learn continuously, fueled by a strong network and personal drive, makes this a truly inspiring career path.
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Job Title
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Undergrad
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Amy Berkhoudt Woodman
Sr. Curriculum Development Manager
Code.org
Point Loma Nazarene University - 2009
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor - MA in Education Policy & Leadership
Creative Writing, Journalism
Technology
Product / Service / Software Development and Management
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Student Athlete, First Generation College Student
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Career Path Of A Senior Curriculum Development Manager At Code.org
Amy's career path, beginning with a journalism degree and Teach for America placement in Detroit, evolved through a master's in education policy and work in education policy and nonprofits. This ultimately led to a self-taught transition into computer science and their current role as a curriculum development manager at Code.org, where they create curriculum impacting "about a billion students a year," finding "that sweet spot" between large-scale impact and direct student engagement.
Main Responsibilities Of A Senior Curriculum Development Manager At Code.org
Amy, a Senior Curriculum Development Manager at Code.org, oversees the development of online computer science curricula, collaborating with engineers, educators, and external partners to ensure alignment with educational standards and a commitment to social justice. This involves "a lot of high-level work, a lot of cross-functional work, and then a lot of deep work" in content creation, while also addressing the "inequitable opportunity gap" in computer science education.
A Day in the Life of a Senior Curriculum Development Manager at Code.org
A senior curriculum development manager at Code.org starts each day with a team "chicken" — a prioritization meeting using Asana to tackle tasks ranging from minor edits ("a wrong use of a semicolon") to major bugs ("this program is crashing"). The role involves constant collaboration and prioritization amidst interruptions from marketing, user feedback, and numerous Slack messages, demanding a balance between planned work and "fire putting out".
Key Skills for a Senior Curriculum Development Manager at Code.org
Amy's journalism background unexpectedly provided crucial skills for her current role as a Sr. Curriculum Development Manager, including "this go-getter attitude" to research complex topics like AI and translate them for a broad audience. The collaborative and content development processes learned in journalism also remain vital aspects of her work, making the transition between careers seamless.
Best Parts of Being a Senior Curriculum Development Manager at Code.org
Amy, a Senior Curriculum Development Manager at Code.org, thrives on the "Open Seas feeling" of creating groundbreaking computer science curriculum for children, transforming initial visions into impactful reality for thousands. The collaborative environment with a "wicked smart" and mission-driven team further fuels Amy's passion and continuous learning.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Senior Curriculum Development Manager At Code.org
Amy's biggest challenge as a fully remote Senior Curriculum Development Manager at Code.org is maintaining human connection, stating that "it feels as a presenter really hard to...speak to yourself in your own house," and relying heavily on scheduling extra time for informal conversations to replicate the spontaneous interactions of an in-person office environment. This difficulty in navigating remote communication contrasts with the work-life balance benefits of remote work, highlighting the complexities of a fully remote career.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The EdTech Industry As A Senior Curriculum Manager
Amy, a Sr. Curriculum Development Manager at Code.org, thrives on the "Open Seas" nature of computer science education, finding immense fulfillment in creating impactful learning materials used by millions globally. A powerful example, a photo of Syrian girls coding amidst a bombed-out school using Code.org's tutorials, showcases the far-reaching, life-changing impact of their work; this inspires Amy and underscores the worth of inserting "a moment of Hope and a moment of joy" into students' lives.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Curriculum Development Industry According To A Sr. Curriculum Development Manager At Code.org
Success in curriculum development, according to Amy, a senior manager at Code.org, requires a "deep conviction" and the ability to "say no to other good ideas" to focus on a "minimum viable product." This focused execution, she explains, prevents "mission creep" and allows a single idea to reach its full potential, ultimately resulting in a higher quality product.
What a Senior Curriculum Development Manager at Code.org wishes they had known before entering the Computer Science industry
Amy, a senior curriculum development manager at Code.org, wishes someone had explained that "the jobs of the future don't exist today," as their current role, and even the organization, didn't exist during their undergraduate years; this realization helped them navigate career uncertainty and ultimately create a path in a field that was then nascent and evolving.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Curriculum Development Managers
Amy, a Senior Curriculum Development Manager at Code.org, advises undergraduates interested in education to explore volunteer opportunities like tutoring, stating, "you just need to find the thing that like drives you," as this helped spark their own passion. The importance of pursuing extracurricular activities alongside academics is emphasized, with Amy recounting a dean's advice to prioritize passions over straight A's, illustrating how seemingly unrelated activities like "art shows and music shows" ultimately shaped their career path.
Significant Career Lesson From a Senior Curriculum Development Manager at Code.org
Amy's most significant career lesson is that "there are infinite amounts of other lessons to learn," a continuous pursuit of knowledge fueled by innate curiosity, which has empowered a self-taught computer scientist to confidently navigate professional spaces and contribute meaningfully to discussions, even in intimidating environments. This approach, exemplified by deep dives into topics like ChatGPT, has proven invaluable in Amy's career as a Sr. Curriculum Development Manager.
College Experiences That Helped a Sr. Curriculum Development Manager at Code.org Succeed
Amy's undergraduate success stemmed from two key relational aspects: an "incredible advisor" who fostered their boldness and creativity, leading to a role as school paper editor, and strong friendships providing ongoing support throughout their career. These relationships, rather than solely focusing on work, fueled their success by creating a solid foundation of mentorship and personal connection, proving that "there are more important things than just your work".
How Identity Has Influenced A Senior Curriculum Development Manager At Code.org
Amy's first-generation college graduate status and identity as a woman of color profoundly shaped their career journey, lacking a "blueprint" for success and initially feeling "everyone else seemed smarter." This spurred a determined effort to "take up the space and have their voice heard," culminating in confidently demanding funding for their non-profit, embodying the persona of a successful leader to overcome a lack of relatable role models.
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