Marlene Jia
Marlene Jia is an entrepreneur in the education technology sector who is committed to expanding access to meaningful professional opportunities. Her interest in education and opportunity began long before her work in technology. Growing up in the public school system in the American Midwest, she witnessed how students from different socioeconomic backgrounds experienced education very differently.
Marlene Jia | Head of Marketing & Partnerships | Extern
Some classmates faced limitations due to lack of resources, family support, or exposure to career possibilities. These early observations shaped her understanding of privilege and access. Although her own family immigrated with limited financial means, her father’s strong academic background and deep respect for education gave her an important advantage. His influence instilled in her a strong belief that education can transform lives when the right support systems exist. At EliteX, we are proud to have Marlene Jia as part of the edition: Visionary Women in EdTech, 2026.
Years later, while running an AI strategy firm in 2015, Marlene gained deeper insight into how rapidly emerging technologies would reshape the global workforce. Through research projects, industry discussions, and early demonstrations of automation capabilities, she saw that artificial intelligence would accelerate changes in employment far faster than previous technological shifts. This realization reinforced her long-standing concern about access to education and career preparation. If technology was going to transform work at such a rapid pace, societies would need better systems to help people reskill and adapt. When she later had the opportunity to help run an apprenticeship company that supported recent graduates and career switchers from diverse backgrounds, including single parents, teachers, and former athletes, she immediately recognized the impact this type of work could have.
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 join the team at Extern, a career launchpad designed to give students and young professionals guaranteed professional experience. Through guided projects they call externships that last 8-12 weeks, participants work fully remotely and part time on real projects with major global brands like TikTok, Pfizer, and Canva. The model functions almost like a micro internship, allowing students and young professionals to gain exposure to a variety of fields like marketing, finance, data, cybersecurity, and more all 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.