By: Dev Iyer (Pre-College Program participant, 2022)
My time at Columbia University in the Pre-College Program was a pivotal experience that shaped my future and set me on a path requiring effort, determination, and resilience. It refined my character and instilled in me the skills and confidence to pursue ambitious goals.
I vividly remember my first day at Uris Hall 411, where I stepped into the course Changing the World Via Social Entrepreneurship, taught by Dr. Jack McGourty and supported by my teaching assistant, Daniel Hiterer. The course was built on identifying a purpose-driven problem, breaking it down into actionable components, and designing a venture that aligned with consumer values and achieved product-market fit.
The rigorous curriculum required deliverables such as problem statements, consumer analysis, competitor analysis, minimum viable product (MVP) designs, and financial projections. As a team leader, I managed our venture, which proposed athletic technology leveraging virtual simulations. The goal was to enable consumers to track their progress and access professional advice at an affordable rate, catering particularly to aspiring athletes. This experience honed my critical thinking, leadership, and problem-solving skills while helping me identify and address personal resource management and communication weaknesses.
The course was immensely rewarding, but my interactions with Dr. McGourty and Daniel extended beyond the classroom. After the program, I reached out to them for insights on an article I was publishing in my school journal about my Columbia experience. Their guidance not only enhanced the article but also led to further opportunities.
Daniel invited me to participate in a research project investigating student motivations and methods for studying entrepreneurship. I designed interview frameworks featuring open-ended questions to conduct “deep thinking” interviews, uncovering why students pursue entrepreneurship education. My findings revealed that students often view entrepreneurship as a pathway to freedom, contrasting with the constraints of a traditional “9-to-5” job. They sought education to mitigate risks and increase their chances of success. I presented my insights to Daniel, highlighting strategies to target the ideal consumer base for Columbia’s Social Venture course. This project deepened my understanding of consumer discovery and the steps required to achieve product-market fit.
While I was working on the research project, Daniel introduced me to Anita Weiss and Michelle Guaman, heads of the Columbia Pre-College Global Student Ambassadorship program. They recognized my passion for the program and offered me the opportunity to join as a Global Student Ambassador. Working remotely from Dubai, I collaborated with ambassadors from around the world—spanning countries such as the USA, Spain, and Korea. Together, we built a strong community, served as global panelists in information sessions, and contributed to marketing efforts for the Pre-College Program.
The opportunities Columbia Pre-College provided were unplanned but incredibly rewarding. They taught me the value of investing genuine passion and time into my projects, which naturally opened doors to growth. These experiences contributed to my success in Columbia’s Model Entrepreneur Competition, where my team’s venture, Sign Spark—an online ecosystem for sign language education—placed in the top 10 globally. They also inspired me to pursue my undergraduate degree in economics and data science at New York University.
In hindsight, Columbia University didn’t just provide me with educational opportunities—it shaped my perspective on leadership, problem-solving, and seizing new challenges. The lessons I learned continue to guide me as I carve out my path.