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.
Communication, Research Skills, Content Development, Teamwork, Problem-Solving
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
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
Video Highlights
1. Strong research and information gathering skills are crucial for understanding complex topics and translating them into accessible content.
2. Excellent communication and collaboration skills are essential for working effectively with teams and conveying information clearly.
3. A proactive and persistent attitude is vital for tackling challenges and taking initiative in finding solutions and developing new ideas
Transcript
What skills are most important for a job like yours?
I mentioned earlier that I was a journalism major in college. I'm not doing that today, as you can see. However, there were so many skills I learned in that major that have helped me in every career I've had so far.
Most importantly, as a journalist, you have this go-getter attitude. You have to go and find the story, be in the place, observe things, interview people, and gather all of this information and research. Then, you present it in a succinct, consumable way for a large audience.
I think that has been such an important skill to hone and continue to iterate on, especially in this curriculum developer role. There are times when I'm asked to write a module on artificial intelligence and machine learning, and I might not know anything about it initially.
But the ability to research something deeply, understand it well enough to translate it for the masses, has been a super important skill. Journalism also comes with many soft skills, like talking to people and bringing them together for an idea for a story.
A lot of that still happens today where I essentially have a writer's room. We come together, pitch ideas, choose what to make, and then we make it. There's a process for content development that has really stuck with me.