A possible framework for how to think about one's desired impact in education technology, relative to the various entities in the space -- and some basic career advice. Shared with Berkeley Haas MBAs in Nov. 2013.

1. Making an Impact in Edtech: A Framework
Autonomy / Entrepreneurial ability
Teaching
Startup
Education nonprofit
CMO
App Development
EDU-focused company
High-Touch
High-Scale
VC
Foundation
Publisher
Non-EDU-focused
small/medium company
District
Education consulting
Cog in wheel
Higher Ed institution
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Non-EDU-focused
large public company
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2. Future of Edtech: Higher Ed*
*Horizon Report, 2013
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3. Getting into Edtech: Unsolicited Advice
 This is a dynamic space. Stay hungry, stay plugged in, stay
current, stay connected.
 Make yourself an expert. Get steeped in the customer / market.
It will help you adapt, find opportunities, and amplify your voice.
 Don’t discount substantive ‘traditional’ education experience.
People value it.
 Education can seem like a cult. But it’s permeable. One way in:
Develop (or leverage a pre-existing) knowledge base / skill set.
 Culture matters.
 So does your team (and manager).
 So does YOUR education. Seek opportunities to learn and
grow.
 Think about where you want to be on the two axes of the
‘Impact’ spectrum. This may change over time.
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4. www.linkedin.com/in/ogarriott
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