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Kelsey, Strategy Lead at Edpuzzle: Advize Career Interview
A Strategy Lead at Edpuzzle, Kelsey's career journey began with a desire to teach, evolving through nonprofit work into the dynamic EdTech sector.
Their multifaceted role involves data analysis, strategic planning, and new product development, demanding strong communication and collaboration skills in a remote environment.
The work is project-based and stimulating, requiring the ability to translate data into actionable insights and connect leadership's vision with company-wide goals.
Success in EdTech, Kelsey emphasizes, requires passion for education, understanding the interplay between rapidly evolving technology and slower-paced educational systems, and building strong relationships.
Entry-level positions in customer success or sales offer valuable experience, and networking is crucial for advancement. UCLA's emphasis on community building unexpectedly proved pivotal in shaping a successful career path.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Kelsey Smith
Strategy Lead
Edpuzzle
UCLA
UCLA Anderson School of Management - MBA
Entertainment, Music & Arts, Psychology
Technology
Business Strategy
None Applicable
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Career Path of a Strategy Lead at Edpuzzle
Kelsey's career path began with a goal to be a K-12 teacher, a "formative experience" that ultimately led them to nonprofit work and then to the education technology sector. This journey reflects a consistent interest in education, evolving from direct classroom teaching to strategic roles in startups, showcasing a transition from traditional education to the edtech space.
Main Responsibilities of a Strategy Lead at Edpuzzle
As a Strategy Lead, Kelsey's responsibilities are varied, "depend[ing] on the project or the time of the business cycle," involving data analysis, research, long-term planning, and new product development across different departments. This allows for diverse project involvement and broad collaboration within the company.
A Day in the Life of a Strategy Lead at Edpuzzle
Kelsey's role as Strategy Lead at Edpuzzle is highly project-based, functioning "like a consultant within the business," requiring frequent meetings for alignment and project management across departments in a fully remote environment. This involves connecting leadership's vision with company-wide strategy, including presentations and feedback sessions.
Most Important Skills for a Strategy Lead at Edpuzzle
Kelsey, a Strategy Lead, emphasizes the importance of "being able to communicate and connect with people," alongside data analytics skills and strong writing abilities to craft compelling narratives from data insights for business objectives. The ability to translate data analysis into actionable "so what" moments is key, even as AI's role in data analysis continues to evolve.
Favorite Parts of Being a Strategy Lead at Edpuzzle
Kelsey, a Strategy Lead at Edpuzzle, enjoys the "variety of different projects" and problem-solving her role offers, finding it "stimulating" and allowing for both short-term and long-term strategic thinking in the rapidly evolving edtech landscape. This variety keeps their work engaging and allows them to use their skills in a multifaceted way.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Strategy Lead at Edpuzzle
Kelsey's biggest challenge as Strategy Lead at Edpuzzle is "being able to connect with people and get the ship moving in the same direction" within a remote work setting, requiring exceptionally clear communication and alignment across teams and leadership. This challenge, however, has forced development of stronger communication skills, leading to more impactful presentations and writing.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Education Technology Industry as a Strategy Lead
Kelsey, a Strategy Lead at Edpuzzle in the EdTech industry, enjoys the "tension and challenge" of using technology to improve education effectively. This work allows Kelsey to leverage problem-solving skills while collaborating with educators passionate about improving the educational experience.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The EdTech Industry, According To A Strategy Lead At Edpuzzle
The EdTech industry is diverse, needing "content developers," "specialists who've worked in the education space," and various other roles beyond typical tech backgrounds. A common thread among those who thrive, however, is a passion for education and a desire to "improve or help think about what the future state of education could look like."
What A Strategy Lead At Edpuzzle Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Ed Tech Industry
Kelsey, a Strategy Lead at Edpuzzle, advises aspiring EdTech professionals to understand the "rapid" evolution of technology must be reconciled with the slower pace of educational systems; keeping "empathy in mind" is crucial for developing technology that meaningfully integrates into the education space.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Customer Success and Sales
Kelsey, a Strategy Lead at Edpuzzle, suggests entry-level customer success or sales associate roles as excellent starting points in EdTech for undergraduate students, emphasizing that these "front lines" positions offer rapid learning about product impact and customer needs. These roles provide valuable experience and pathways for career advancement within a company's sales or customer success function, or even laterally into other departments.
Significant Career Lesson From A Strategy Lead At Edpuzzle
Kelsey, a Strategy Lead at Edpuzzle, emphasizes the importance of building strong connections throughout one's career, stating that "knowing how to connect with people, knowing how to network...how to get people's trust and their buy-in" is crucial for success, regardless of one's role or industry, particularly in the close-knit EdTech community. This skillset, applicable from entry-level positions to C-suite roles, is a key ingredient for effective project execution and career advancement.
College experiences that helped a Strategy Lead at Edpuzzle succeed
While initially intending to be a teacher, Kelsey's undergraduate experience at UCLA unexpectedly shaped their career trajectory by emphasizing strong relationships; Kelsey advises, "don't discount the power of that community," highlighting the importance of early networking and maintaining connections, which have significantly contributed to every position they've held.
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