I’ve recently come to the conclusion that there’s no place in the world to work like Khan Academy.
Here are a few facts about Khan Academy:
- It operates like a lean tech start-up
- It’s working to solve a major world problem
- Salaries are competitive with Google and Facebook
- It’s prestigious on your resume
- It’s completely non-profit
None of the individual points above are too unique on their own. But how often do you find a place that has all of them? Yeah, I don’t think so.
Yesterday, we had the folks from Participant Media come and screen CBS’ upcoming television special, called TEACH. Sal and Khan Academy make an appearance in the film, and it was a testament to the impact and reach Khan Academy has been having in the past couple years.
Last week, Sal was on the cover of Costco Connection, reaching tiger moms everywhere.
Last month, Bill Gates visited our office, causing the interns to jump up and down, and reminding everyone that we have the most influential support system out there.
When we aren’t graced by the visit of an eminent supporter or by seeing Khan Academy in the news, we are hard at work building out the best learning experience in the world. It can be easy to get caught up in the glamour and press, and while the team here is totally inspired by the external goodwill and a mission that’s pie in the sky, it is also intensely focused on working on the next concrete steps to making that vision a reality. We know we’re only a fraction of the way there, so continually moving forward is the only option.
Various factors have come together to make Khan Academy so special. Some of it is circumstance and timing, and a lot of it is the genius and persistence of some amazing people. I’m so fortunate to have been able to spend a summer here to see it firsthand.