Park Cofield , Cohort 4
Bio: Park Cofield (he/him/his) is a consultant for social enterprises, start-ups, and nonprofits. He excels at guiding people and teams through the transition from analog to digital connection. Park is currently prototyping Social Age, a program of empathy based technology training for older adults, and serving as the Program Lead for the Social Venture Coaching Competition.
Current city: Los Angeles, CA
I am passionate about...
intergenerational connection, creative aging, and human centered design.
What led you to USC and specifically the MSSE program?
I spent many years in the arts non-profit sector and found myself seeking solutions to sustainability. I wanted to learn how to do impactful work on a larger scale and loved the idea of surrounding myself with change-makers and business leaders.
What personal or professional experiences do you believe helped shape your values and worldview?
My values and worldview have been shaped by hundreds of interactions with artists and creative entrepreneurs who have applied for programs, grants, and competitions that I have managed. My commitment to co-creation and collaboration (two of the most important things you need to start a business or launch a new project) is a direct result of working in community and listening deeply to the needs and wants of a particular individual, group, or organization.
What lessons and experiences at USC and the MSSE program helped build the foundation for your career today?
I traveled to Peru with a group of MSSE peers to live and study with Llama Pack Project. This experience deepened my understanding of reciprocity in a deep and profound way and challenged me in physical and mental ways that I was not expecting.
What advice do you have for current students?
Spend time with your MSSE colleagues outside of the classroom and nurture these relationships (go on hikes, call each other up to talk about non-school stuff, and celebrate each other's birthdays). It's also essential to seek out experts from other schools to support your ideas and ventures--- attend events in other departments, sign up for email newsletters for clubs, and introduce yourself to other Trojans online.
