Survey of Students in the 2020 Hacking For Defense class

1. Hacking for Defense (H4D)
MS&E 297 | Stanford University
Student Feedback

2. How has H4D Impacted You? (1)
This will 100% be a hallmark of my time at Stanford. Courses like these, in my opinion, is what
separates Stanford from other schools. I am unbelievably grateful to have had the chance to take
and work my hardest in this course. Undergraduate, Bioengineering
I feel that this course has made me want to serve our country in a new way. I am now hyperaware of
the disconnect which exists between the private and public sectors when it comes to innovation.
Undergraduate, Engineering
This course has shown me that innovation should not be a contract between the DoD and a
technology or industrial company, innovation should be pragmatically and culturally embedded
within the defense space. In the future, I don't want to make the DoD more efficient or effective at
out-sourcing, I am going to work to make innovation an in-house competitive advantage, not an out-
sourced contract.
We need our nation's best and brightest to serve directly. Not just working in the private sector and
developing tools or technologies which down the road may be used by USG.
Undergraduate, Engineering

3. How has H4D Impacted You? (2)
The Lean Startup methodology has shown me that "luck" is much less of an element in early
startup success than many think. As a hopeful future entrepreneur, this is incredibly
encouraging.
MBA Candidate, Graduate School of
Business
Having focused much more on public service when I was younger, and then slowly drifted
away as my business career began, this was exactly the wake-up call I needed to focus on
what is important, more than business for the sake of business.
MBA Candidate, Graduate School of
Business
I learned a great deal about what public service can look like, and this was mostly through
the senior guest lecturers. I really appreciate this new learning, and it has both inspired me
and helped me to understand the pathways to work in public service in the future.

4. Perceptions of the DoD (1)
My perception of the military significantly improved as I understood why DoD/IC people do what they do at a
deeper level than portrayed by media. I came to really respect the mission-driven, collaborative culture of the
DoD and the people that comprise it. Undergraduate, Computer Science
The people I spoke with were incredibly kind, helpful, and motivated by a spirit of service and giving. Though the
organization as a whole can - and occasionally does - make mistakes, there is no doubt in my mind that the
people that compose the organization are well-intentioned, honourable, kind people.
Masters Student, Computer Science
I met a lot of people in the DOD who were super earnest about what they are doing and had great outlooks on
the impact of the organization. I felt that people care about the stuff they are doing, which is awesome.
Undergraduate, Mechanical Engineering
My perception of the DoD/IC as an organization has increased throughout the quarter. Beforehand, I tended to
view the DoD as a monolith. I tended to have a stereotyped view of the military and IC and did not have a great
understanding of the different groups within the DoD/IC. I realize now how dedicated these institutions are to
keeping our country safe and have more respect for all the actions they are taking that go unnoticed and do not
make the headlines. Undergraduate, International Relations

5. Perceptions of the DoD (2)
There are a ton of smart people in the military that want to fix things.
Undergraduate, Computer Science
Speaking to members of the military revealed the deep expertise each of them have in their roles as
well as their fundamental commitment to liberty and justice as a motivating factor.
Undergraduate, Computer Science
I didn't have much interaction with these organizations before. But based on interviews with these
individuals, I've come to truly respect their accomplishments, attitudes, and perspectives on everything
from innovation to ordinary life. It has been a real pleasure to talk to the members of the DoD and
military, and is probably one of the biggest takeaways of this course for me personally.
Undergraduate
The amount of intelligent, capable, passionate, men and women we spoke with from the DoD, military
and IC was extremely motivating and inspiring to see. Undergraduate, Bioengineering
I was highly impressed with many of the military individuals I spoke with. They were well-spoken, a lot
smarter than I thought, and surprisingly willing to talk to our team and give us some help.
Undergrad, Computer Science

6. What did you like about H4D? (1)
• I liked the fast pace pushed by the teaching team and the large amount of feedback. I
also liked feeling patriotic that we were working on a problem that could have impact.
Masters, Humanities and Sciences
• We got pushed really hard and got to interact with some of the finest, most accomplished
people at DOD, we learned so much in 10 weeks and became experts in our problem
Undergrad, Mechanical Engineering
• Speaking to end users about their problems and brainstorming with them what sort of
tools would be most helpful. Amazed by the power of the H4D brand and network to help
us connect with people. Law School
• Interacting with real stakeholders on a real problem, getting extremely helpful feedback
from the teaching team, and learning a great deal from the mentors and teaching team.
• I enjoyed the connections I was able to make with so many amazing people throughout
the defense industry Graduate School of Business
• Speaking with individuals at all levels of the DoD; our interviewees were so friendly, open,
helpful, positive, and downright intelligent. Masters, Mechanical Engineering
• Learning about DoD acquisitions and funding opportunities Masters, Computer Science

7. What did you like about H4D? (2)
Being able to speak to experts and professionals who we really had no business engaging with in the
first place. Through 100+ interviews, we not only became experts on our own problem, but I feel
more confident in any interview setting moving forward. I know how to better prepare for
interviews, engage with interviewees, and humbly compose myself in front of someone who knows
so much more than myself. H4D teaches more than just how to approach problem solving - there are
countless life skills which come out of this multifaceted course.
The most rewarding part of the experience has been conducting interviews throughout the quarter.
Before I came to Stanford I used to make documentaries and wanted to be a journalist. In college, I
have largely put my interest in filmmaking on hold in order to focus on international security. But the
parts of the documentary filmmaking process I found the most fulfilling— delving deeply into a
problem, speaking to individuals on the frontlines of an issue, learning to understand others’
perspectives, working closely with a team—were core features of the H4D interviewing experience
as well. Additionally, there has been a subtle transition throughout the course from doing interviews
in which we were learning about the problem, to interviews in which we were discussing our own
ideas and opinions. I have gained a lot of confidence from this process.

8. Beneficiary Discovery
‘This is where the magic happens. This is where we learn, make mistakes, are proven correct, and form our
narrative. Undergraduate, Engineering
I will never forget the ability to learn by following the beneficiary discovery and interview process. A must-learn
lesson for any prospective entrepreneur. GSB
Getting out of the building. I've never done it before, but I would certainly do it again after learning all of the
lessons from "face-to-face" conversations with beneficiaries in performing customer discovery. Letting us as a
team discover our own beneficiaries and their pain points was the most insightful way of learning info in this
course. Undergraduate
Beneficiary discovery/interviews define the course. It feels amazing to look back and see the hundreds of
people we've talked to. Immensely valuable soft skills gained as well. Undergraduate, International Relations

9. H4D Teaching and Mentoring
World-class teaching team. Exactly the mix of startup and military expertise the class needs. Incredibly
helpful in connecting us with others. GSB
Never before have I been part of a course in which there are so many people dedicated to helping their
students succeed. It has been amazing! Undergraduate, International Relations
Our mentor was absolutely brilliant, personable, and got along with our team very well. They were
thoughtful, understanding, gave critical feedback when necessary, and incredibly supportive. Graduate
Student
Our military liaisons were absolute champions. They really got us started with our initial interview
'rolodex,' and they would drop everything to meet with us and answer any questions we had. I absolutely
loved them. I hope we stay friends forever. Masters student, School of Humanities and Sciences