MOJO Maker for Womxn in Tech

Episode #25: The Student Becomes the Teacher with Kaylie Pykkonen

December 18, 2020
MOJO Maker for Womxn in Tech
Episode #25: The Student Becomes the Teacher with Kaylie Pykkonen
Show Notes

Episode 25: Show Notes.

It is no exaggeration to say that a great teacher can change a student’s life, but have you ever heard the phrase, “A great teacher learns from their students?” Karen had this experience over the past few months with her intern from the University of Colorado, who brought her energetic perspective as a Gen Z’er. Kaylie Pykkonen spent the last semester with the MOJO Maker for Women in Tech team and, in this episode, she shares some of the lessons she learned from her time with the MOJO Maker team, including the ability to forge her own path and the value of perseverance, promoting diversity, and empathy. She also explains what she learned from a mural that said, “After the Plague came the Renaissance,” and the potential lessons she believes people from all generations can learn from the pandemic. Hear her unique perspective and find out about her passion for photojournalism, as well as a bit more about her experience of the internship at MOJO Maker. All this and more in today’s episode, so make sure not to miss it!

Key Points From This Episode:

  • Kaylie explains what she learned from her time with the MOJO Maker team.
  • A lesson that stood out to Kaylie was the ability to trust in herself to forge her own path.
  • Making the best out of a difficult situation is a lesson that has been relevant during COVID.
  • The role reversal between teacher and student: What Kaylie taught Karen about tech.
  • Closing the gap between generations and the value in acknowledging differing perspectives.
  • The importance of diversity, inclusion, and learning to listen.
  • Kaylie shares a bit about her focus and interest in her pursuit of becoming a photojournalist.
  • One of the key takeaways from hearing other people’s stories is developing empathy.
  • How the pandemic has created a disconnect between people in some instances, rather than the expected unity.
  • What the quote, “After the Plague came the Renaissance” taught Kaylie about progress.
  • The potential lessons all generations can learn through our experience of the pandemic.
  • The subject matter Kaylie is researching, writing about, and photographing for her thesis.
  • How we can experience joy through our bodies rather than punishing them.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Kaylie Pykkonen on LinkedIn

Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés

The Dangerous Old Woman

Karen Worstell

MOJO Maker

Flameproof: How to Flameproof Your Career and Your Life and Handle Adversity Like a Boss

MOJO Maker for Womxn in Tech on Facebook

MOJO Maker for Womxn in Tech on Instagram

MOJO Maker for Womxn in Tech on LinkedIn