Marlene Jia is an entrepreneur in the education technology space who has dedicated her career to expanding access to real professional experience. Her journey began in 2015 when she ran an AI strategy firm and witnessed the early signals of a technological shift that would reshape industries faster than previous revolutions. Even at that stage, she recognized that automation and artificial intelligence would transform the workforce at unprecedented speed.
Marlene Jia | Head of Marketing & Partnerships | Extern
Through conversations with researchers, hands-on projects, and emerging tools, she saw that society was not fully prepared. That realization moved her toward mission-driven work focused on helping people adapt through education. At EliteX, we are proud to have Marlene Jia as part of the edition: Visionary Women in EdTech, 2026.
Before formally entering EdTech, Marlene was already educating teams about AI and leading applied projects. She became increasingly concerned that when AI adoption accelerated, millions of workers and graduates would need reskilling. Education, in her view, has always been the foundation of a productive and fulfilled society. This belief led her to explore the education sector more intentionally and eventually join an apprenticeship company that supported recent graduates and career switchers. She saw firsthand how capable individuals struggled to enter the corporate world simply because they lacked early access or the right network.
When students learn by doing, confidence becomes their strongest qualification.
The experience reinforced a principle she deeply believes in – application is the best way to learn. Many students were intelligent and hardworking, yet they were locked out of opportunities because companies demanded experience for entry-level roles. The gap widened during COVID, and internship opportunities became even more limited. Marlene understood that the system was misaligned. Students needed experience, universities needed industry connections, and companies needed talent, yet these groups were not effectively connected.
This understanding led her to build Extern, a career launchpad designed to give students and young professionals guaranteed professional experience. Through structured externships that last eight to twelve weeks, participants work part time on real projects with major global brands. The model functions like a micro internship, allowing students to gain exposure to roles such as marketing analyst or consumer insights associate while continuing their studies or employment.
Extern’s mission is simple and deliberate – provide anyone, regardless of background, GPA, major, or network, with a genuine opportunity to prove they can do the work. Unlike simulations or theoretical coursework, the platform emphasizes real projects, live meetings, structured mentorship, and training in tools that employers currently demand. Artificial intelligence tools are heavily integrated because they are shaping modern work environments. Students learn not only concepts but also how to apply these tools in authentic professional contexts.
The future of education belongs to those who can prove their skills, not just list their credentials.
The problem Marlene set out to solve is one of scale and access. Millions of students seek internships each year, yet a large percentage cannot secure them. Listings have declined while competition has intensified, particularly in high-demand sectors such as technology. First-generation students and those without strong networks face even greater barriers. Research consistently shows that internship participation shapes career clarity and employment outcomes, yet traditional pathways reach only a fraction of those who need them.
Extern addresses this by democratizing professional exposure. For a low monthly membership, students can browse a marketplace of projects and select experiences aligned with their interests. Each project includes structured modules, live sessions with program managers, and feedback from employer partners. The design ensures that a student from a community college has access to the same caliber of opportunity as someone from a more privileged background. Inclusivity is embedded in the platform’s structure, not added as an afterthought.
Innovation plays a central role in Marlene’s work. She views technology as the enabler that makes scalable professional experience possible. The platform blends live instruction, self-paced modules, employer collaboration, and data insights to personalize learning at scale. Rather than framing AI as a threat, she encourages students to work alongside it and build confidence with emerging tools. In her view, mastering technology increases professional value rather than diminishing it.
Impact measurement is straightforward. The primary metric is job outcomes. A significant majority of externs who complete their programs secure internships or full-time roles within a year. For Marlene, that statistic is the north star. If students are not progressing in their careers, then the platform is not fulfilling its mission.
As a woman leader and mother in the startup ecosystem, Marlene has experienced the tension between leadership demands and family responsibilities. She speaks openly about the realities of balancing parenthood with building a company in a culture that often glorifies nonstop work. She believes the corporate and startup worlds must better accommodate the biological and emotional realities women face, especially after childbirth. Her perspective adds depth to her leadership style, which emphasizes empathy, resilience, mission focus, and intellectual humility.
Looking ahead, Marlene believes the future of education will be defined by relevance. Credentials alone will no longer signal readiness. Demonstrated skills, real projects, and continuous learning will matter more. She sees the boundary between learning and working dissolving, replaced by lifelong professional development integrated into daily careers. Through Extern, she is already building toward that future – one where access, experience, and opportunity are not privileges, but standard pathways available to all.
Real experience should not be a privilege reserved for the connected few.