You can assume that everything that can go wrong, will, and still be an optimist. Trust me, I'm a pro at it. Flash back a few years ago to early 2014. At work, my division was growing like wildfire. Like a thorny weed. Like bunny rabbits. Heck it was growing so fast we couldn't remember... Continue Reading →
It’s not all Online – Trends to Watch in Higher Education 2015
Across the country, universities are feeling a pinch. The cost of operating a university is rising, and increases in tuition can't keep up. Across the country, students are also feeling a pinch. Tuition is rising, and the long-promised value of a higher degree is becoming more and more dubious. To combat these issues, universities and third party... Continue Reading →
How I Make Big Life Decisions
If you've read my blog you understand I love self-help advice. Giving and receiving it. One of my favorite types of self-help advice is around decision making. For years I have used a tool to help make big life decisions and shared it with all my friends. Yesterday my girlfriend and I were on the phone... Continue Reading →
Internal Ventures…..What’s That?
"You run new ventures....so what does that mean??" This is a question I receive almost every time I tell anyone what I do. I stepped into a role at General Assembly as Head of New Ventures 5 months ago and have quickly realized the role is not just rare, but that many have no idea what... Continue Reading →
Designing for Exponential Impact in Diversity
I've been meaning to post this blog for several months....I first started writing it in late 2013 as we worked behind the scenes to launch the Opportunity Fund. We launched the Opportunity Fund at GA in April 2014 and now, 6 months later, our first round of fellows have graduated with several more in class and ready to... Continue Reading →
Corporate to Startup – Tips for Making the Jump
I moderated a panel a few days ago called “The Corporate Escape” in which four panelists and I discussed how we made the transition from traditional corporate jobs at Fortune 500 companies to small tech startups. A lot of knowledge was dropped for the attendees from the Suits to Silicon Alley meetup group and I wanted... Continue Reading →
The Importance of Documenting Your Vision
Something I never really thought about until it I heard myself uttering these words at work "Yeah, I thought about that before.....": if you are leading a team, accountable for direction and implementation, or in any way want to be recognized for a vision you're working toward, it is non negotiable that you document your... Continue Reading →
Interview with Course Report on WDI
I got to speak with the folks at Course Report about where GA is going and what we're doing with WDI (Web Development Immersive) - check it out! https://www.coursereport.com/blog/q-a-with-mercedes-bent-head-of-web-development-immersives-for-general-assembly
Impostor Syndrome & Dev Schools
Something I hear from a lot of students when they first enter the Web Development Immersive program at GA is they feel as thought their particular background does not lend to success in this environment they've found themselves in. Students know that the environment they are entering is grueling and that the learning experience will... Continue Reading →
Framing Goals
After joining General Assembly, I realized I'd not only entered the tech industry, I'd also entered the education industry. And so far, I've learned a TON about the world of teachers and learning. For all the educators out there this post is going to seem really obvious. But for all of you that are like me,... Continue Reading →
