Governor's School for Entrepreneurs

Join Our Team

GSE hires annually for the Summer Startup program. We search for people with all types of backgrounds and experience who are passionate about what they do. GSE team members have the opportunity to observe and learn from the speakers and materials presented throughout the program. GSE is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability.

About the Governor's School for Entrepreneurs

The Governor's School for Entrepreneurs (GSE) identifies, inspires, and empowers Kentucky’s future innovators and business leaders. Our three-week Summer Startup program immerses high school students in a fast-paced entrepreneurial experience, from selecting a startup idea, to creating a prototype, to pitching their business plan. Since 2013 we have impacted the lives of more than 1,400 high school students. Summer Startup participants are eligible for scholarships at many Kentucky universities. Our Collegiate Pitch program is Kentucky’s largest intercollegiate pitch competition and provides access to thousands of dollars in funding. GSE’s newest initiative is our growing alumni program, The Ecosystem. We are an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3). Our alums have launched more than 100 businesses in Kentucky. We have reached a powerful stage of growth in GSE’s evolution as we execute our second decade of fostering creative and collaborative learning, along with economic development. We aim to serve the entire state of Kentucky through our programming.

Open Positions

Resident Advisor

Position Overview

Job Description

Each Resident Advisor is responsible for supervising the residential life of approximately 12-18 high school age entrepreneurs. Every Resident Advisor is on-duty daily, including during weekends, with one day off per week. The most concentrated time for duty will be late afternoon, evenings and early morning. RAs are “on call” throughout the night. RAs will be required to work no less than 40 and up to 60 hours a week. Resident Advisors will be provided a room and all meals for the duration of their employment.

Responsibilities

Assist in providing for the safety and well-being of entrepreneurs while under the care and/or supervision of the residential program.
Prioritize the quality of the student experience and what is best for them socially and emotionally.
Be a contributing and communicating member of the staff team always focusing on the wider community’s role and goals. Remain prompt, tidy, and respectful of others.
Plan and execute residential life events for the students in coordination with the residential life team and the Resident Directors.
In cooperation with the GSE Leadership Team, provide supervision for all GSE field trips, assist with additional summer program preparations as needed, cooperate and work in coordination with the Summer Program Counselors in support of students as needed.
Enforce and abide by rules, regulations and procedures for community living as published in the GSE Staff Handbook.
Effectively balance between authority figure and mentor with entrepreneurs by being approachable but setting boundaries where needed; professionalism is expected at all times.

Requirements

Proven leadership ability. Superior interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution.
Valid driver’s license.
Experience in residential educational programs and camps.
Self-starter, must be able to work alone with a minimum amount of supervision.
Live in-residence during the summer program and training week, in the host campus dormitory.
Bachelor’s Degree or pursuit of degree; at least one year of college or equivalent required to apply

How to Apply

Head Resident Advisor

Position Overview

Job Description

The Head Residential Advisor (Head RA) plays a dual role:

Residential Leader: Like other Resident Advisors, the Head RA will supervise and mentor a group of high school entrepreneurs in the residence halls, ensuring their safety, well-being, and positive residential experience.
Staff Advocate & Leader: In addition, the Head RA serves as the primary advocate and resource for all Resident Advisors, providing guidance, support, and leadership to ensure smooth residential operations and a strong sense of community.

This position requires excellent organizational skills, proactive communication, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, residential program setting.

Responsibilities

Residential Responsibilities (Same as Resident Advisors):

Supervise the residential life of approximately 12–18 high school entrepreneurs, ensuring safety and well-being.
Prioritize the quality of the student experience socially and emotionally.
Plan and execute residential life events in coordination with the residential life team and Resident Directors.
Be “on duty” daily, including evenings and weekends, with one day off per week; remain on call overnight.
Provide supervision during field trips and assist with additional summer program preparations as needed.
Enforce and abide by rules and procedures for community living as outlined in the GSE Staff Handbook.
Maintain professionalism while balancing approachability and authority.

Leadership & Advocacy Responsibilities:

Serve as the first point of contact for Resident Advisors regarding questions, challenges, and resource needs.
Provide mentorship and guidance to Resident Advisors, helping them navigate residential issues and program expectations.
Facilitate daily check-ins and help lead weekly RA meetings to share updates, provide feedback, and foster team cohesion.
Act as liaison between Resident Advisors, the Resident Directors, and the GSE Leadership Team to ensure smooth operations.
Communicate logistics for residential activities, field trips, and special events clearly and promptly.
Assist with scheduling and coordination of RA responsibilities.
Help resolve escalated conflicts or emergencies within residence halls in collaboration with the Summer Program Counselor and Resident Directors.
Model professionalism and effective leadership for Resident Advisors and students.

Requirements

Prior experience in leadership roles within residential or educational programs.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to mediate and resolve conflicts effectively.
Valid driver’s license.
Bachelor’s degree or pursuit of degree; at least two years of college or equivalent experience required.
Ability to live in-residence during the summer program and training week in the host campus dormitory.
Self-starter with excellent organizational skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

How to Apply

Team Leader

Position Overview

Job Description

Team Leaders work directly with the Team Director and Instructional Coaches to help guide the student teams through the process of their product/service design, development, and through the components of a business model. Team Leaders should be good at motivating students, spotting and addressing conflict early, and keeping teams on task. Upper level undergraduate students, graduate students and teachers make great Team Leaders. Prior knowledge of business models and business startups is a huge plus, but not required. A room and all meals are provided at no cost. Team Leaders are expected to participate in a living-learning/working situation with students that will require 40-50 hours a week. However, Team Leaders are welcome to commute to campus/program activities if preferred. Team leaders will accompany our entrepreneurs on field trips, site visits, recreational outings, and help manage the day to day activities of the GSE Summer Startup program.

Responsibilities

Plan and execute classroom activities that will help facilitate an environment for student autonomous learning in conjunction with GSE instructional coaches.
Attend and actively engage in all instructional coach and guest entrepreneur sessions, including field trips.
Supervise up to 25 high school entrepreneurs daily to ensure all students are learning in a safe and productive environment.
Motivate and encourage entrepreneurs while also helping teams address and resolve conflict quickly with help from Summer Program Counselor when needed.
Maintain close communication with instructional coaches and work with them to help guide the student teams through the process of their product/service design, development, and through the components of a business model.
Assist in providing for the safety and well-being of entrepreneurs while under the care and/or supervision of the residential program.
Prioritize the quality of the student experience and what is best for them socially and emotionally.
Ensure your classroom is clean and orderly.
Be a contributing and communicating member of the staff team always focusing on the wider community’s role and goals. Remain prompt, tidy, and respectful of others.
In cooperation with the GSE Leadership Team, provide supervision for all GSE field trips, assist with additional summer program preparations as needed, cooperate and work in coordination with Summer Program Counselor in support of students as needed.
Available during meals and during other non-instructional daytime hours for program planning, evaluation, scheduling and student issues as needed.
Serve as liaison between residence life and instructional coaches communicating logistics for daily activities with particular attention to field trips and Pitch Fest.
Maintain close communication on a frequent basis with the GSE Leadership Team, including attendance at Team Leader meetings.
Enforce and abide by rules, regulations and procedures for community living as published in the GSE Staff Handbook.
Effectively balance between authority figure and mentor with entrepreneurs by being approachable but setting boundaries where needed; professionalism is expected at all times.

Requirements

Prior knowledge of business models and business startups is a huge plus, but not required.
Proven leadership ability. Superior interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution.
Valid driver’s license.
Experience in residential educational programs and camps.
Self-starter, must be able to work alone with a minimum amount of supervision.
Live in-residence during the summer program and training week during June and July, in the host campus dormitory.
Bachelor’s Degree or pursuit of degree; at least two years of college or equivalent required to apply

How to Apply

Head Team Leader

Position Overview

Job Description

The Head Team Leader plays a dual role:

Classroom Leader: Like other Team Leaders, the Head Team Leader will guide a team of high school entrepreneurs through the process of product/service design, development, and business modeling.
Staff Advocate & Leader: In addition, the Head Team Leader serves as the primary advocate and resource for all Team Leaders, ensuring they have the tools, guidance, and support needed to succeed. This position bridges communication between Team Leaders, Instructional Coaches, and Team Director while maintaining a strong focus on the quality of the student experience.
This role requires exceptional organizational skills, proactive communication, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, residential program setting.

Responsibilities

Classroom Responsibilities (Same as Team Leaders):

Plan and execute classroom activities that facilitate autonomous student learning in conjunction with GSE instructional coaches.
Attend and actively engage in all instructional sessions, guest entrepreneur talks, and field trips.
Supervise and mentor up to 25 high school entrepreneurs daily, ensuring a safe and productive environment.
Motivate and encourage entrepreneurs while helping teams resolve conflict quickly with support from the Summer Program Counselors.
Maintain close communication with instructional coaches to guide student teams through product/service design and business model development.
Assist in providing for the safety and well-being of entrepreneurs during all program activities.
Ensure classroom cleanliness and orderliness.
Serve as liaison between residence life and instructional coaches for daily logistics.
Enforce and abide by rules and procedures outlined in the GSE Staff Handbook.

Leadership & Advocacy Responsibilities:

Serve as the first point of contact for Team Leaders regarding questions, challenges, and resource needs.
Provide guidance and mentorship to Team Leaders, helping them navigate team dynamics and program expectations.
Co-facilitate daily Team Leader meetings with the Team Director to share updates, provide feedback, and foster team cohesion.
Act as liaison between Team Leaders, Instructional Coaches, and Team Director to ensure smooth operations and alignment on program goals.
Communicate logistics for daily activities, field trips, and Pitch Fest clearly and promptly.
Assist with scheduling and coordination of Team Leader responsibilities.
Help resolve escalated conflicts within student teams or among staff, in collaboration with the Summer Program Counselor and/or the GSE Leadership Team, when needed.
Offer constructive feedback and coaching to Team Leaders throughout the program.
Model professionalism and effective leadership for Team Leaders and students.

Requirements

Prior experience in leadership roles within educational or residential programs.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to mediate and resolve conflicts effectively.
Knowledge of business models and startups is a plus, but not required.
Valid driver’s license.
Bachelor’s degree or pursuit of degree; at least two years of college or equivalent experience required.
Ability to live in-residence during the summer program and training week in the host campus dormitory.
Self-starter with excellent organizational skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

How to Apply

Digital Storyteller

Position Overview

Job Description

The Digital Storyteller (DS) will create and publish digital content from the GSE Summer program. This position creates and maintains an archive of digital images, videos, and other content. The Digital Storyteller will be responsible for maintaining GSE’s social media, paying close attention to brand guidelines and voice. DSs are expected to have knowledge in both videography and photography. A great candidate for this position is someone who is studying digital media and is looking for a fast-paced environment to gain a wealth of media experience over the summer. The DS is on-duty daily, including during weekends, with one day off per week. DSs will be expected to work no less than 40 and up to 60 hours a week. They will be provided a room and all meals for the duration of their employment.

Responsibilities

Capture and convey the spirit and accomplishments of the GSE program, students, and staff via photography, videography, and storytelling.
Create digital projects from the media captured during the program for online distribution.
Update social media accounts 4 times a week with current and relevant photos and videos from GSE activities and events.
Organize digital images and videos for storage.
Create content not only for GSE promotional materials but also for documentation purposes.
Edit photos and videos quickly with precision and ease.
Ability to meet multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Be a contributing and communicating member of the staff team always focusing on the wider community’s role and goals. Remain prompt, tidy, and respectful of others.
Enforce and abide by rules, regulations and procedures for community living as published in the GSE Staff Handbook.
Effectively balance between authority figure and mentor with entrepreneurs by being approachable but setting boundaries where needed; professionalism is expected at all times.

Requirements

Digital media experience is required.
Strong verbal and written communication skills required.
Proven leadership ability.
Valid driver’s license.
Experience in residential educational programs and camps.
Self-starter, must be able to work alone with a minimum amount of supervision.
Live in-residence during the summer program and training week during June and July, in the host campus dormitory.
Bachelor’s Degree or pursuit of degree; at least two years of college or equivalent to apply

How to Apply

Resident Director

Position Overview

Job Description

The Resident Directors (RDs) are responsible for overseeing all aspects of residential life during the GSE Summer Startup program. There will be two Resident Directors working together as a leadership team to ensure the safety, well-being, and positive experience of all students living on campus. Together, they will supervise the residential staff, manage dormitory operations, and cultivate a strong sense of community among students and staff.

Resident Directors will co-lead the residential program, share on-duty responsibilities, and collaborate closely to address student needs and emergencies. This role requires excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work effectively as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

Collaborative Leadership:

Work in partnership with the other Resident Director to organize and administer the residential program, including dormitory life, non-instructional social and recreational activities, safety, hygiene, and supervision of residential staff.
Share on-duty responsibilities daily, including evenings and weekends, with one day off per week; remain on call overnight.
Co-manage GSE student move-in and move-out processes, including inventory and equipment logistics.

Staff Supervision & Training:

Establish and supervise duties and daily schedules for Resident Advisors (RAs).
Provide mentorship and guidance to RAs, ensuring they implement residential life systems effectively.
Assist with staff training in cooperation with GSE Admin and the Summer Program Counselor.

Student Safety & Well-being:

Prioritize the quality of the student experience socially and emotionally.
Respond promptly to emergencies or escalated issues in collaboration with the other RD and Summer Program Counselor, bringing in the the GSE Leadership team when needed.
Maintain a safe environment for all students.

Program Support & Communication:

Maintain close communication with the GSE Leadership team regarding residential life, staff performance, and student concerns.
Participate in planning sessions ahead of the summer program as needed.
Provide supervision during field trips and assist with additional program preparations.

Professionalism & Community Building:

Serve as role models, mentors, and ambassadors at all times by exemplifying maturity and professionalism.
Enforce and abide by rules and procedures for community living as outlined in the GSE Staff Handbook.
Foster a collaborative and respectful environment among staff and students.

Requirements

Proven leadership ability and strong interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution.
Experience in residential educational programs or camps.
Valid driver’s license.
Bachelor’s degree or pursuit of degree; at least two years of college or equivalent experience required.
Ability to live in-residence during the summer program and training week in the host campus dormitory.
Self-starter with excellent organizational skills and ability to work independently and collaboratively.

How to Apply

Team Director

Position Overview

Reports to: Program Director

Employment Dates:June 13 - July 11, 2026 (Includes mandatory training June 13 - June 18, 2027)

Location: University of Kentucky (Lexington, Kentucky)

Pay: $7,500 - This is a temporary contractual position with summer work hours typically 50-55 hours per week, plus bi-weekly 1-hour planning video-calls beginning in mid-March as well as a one in-person Leadership Retreat in May.

Job Description

The Team Director (TD) will be responsible for supervising team leader staff and cultivating community amongst the team leaders. The TD will oversee all instructional time systems to create a safe environment for the students while ensuring that every team leader is implementing them effectively. The TD is on-duty daily, including during weekends, with one day off per week. The TD will be expected to work no less than 40 and up to 60 hours a week. The most concentrated time for duty will be during instructional time between the hours of 9:00 am - 6:00 pm with the occasional evening shift from 7:00-10:00 pm. The TD will be provided a room and all meals and will be required to live on campus for the duration of their employment.

Responsibilities

Supports Instructional Coaches in organizing and administering the instructional side of the program for the students at the Governor's School for Entrepreneurs, including team time, instructional activities, guest entrepreneur visits, safety, and supervision of the team leader staff.
Establish and supervise duties and daily schedule of the Team Leaders during GSE.
Serve as liaison between Resident Directors and Team Leaders and between Team Leaders and Instructional Coaches.
Provide administrative support to Instructional Coaches whenever needed (organizing online documents, running errands, etc.).
Co-manages with the Residential Directors, GSE student move-in and move-off campus, including taking inventory of supplies, loading and moving equipment.
Prioritize the quality of the student experience and what is best for them socially and emotionally.
Serve as role models, mentors, and ambassadors at all times by exemplifying maturity even in intense circumstances.
Be a contributing and communicating member of the staff team always focusing on the wider community’s role and goals. Remain prompt, tidy, and respectful of others.
In cooperation with the GSE Leadership Team, provide supervision for all GSE field trips, assist with additional summer program preparations as needed, cooperate and work in coordination with Summer Program Counselor in support of students as needed.
In cooperation with GSE Leadership Team and Summer Program Counselors, assist with the staff training at the host campus.
As needed, participate in planning sessions ahead of the summer program with the GSE Leadership Team and Summer Program Counselor.
Enforce and abide by rules, regulations and procedures for community living as published in the GSE Staff Handbook.
Effectively balance between authority figure and mentor with entrepreneurs by being approachable but setting boundaries where needed; professionalism is expected at all times.

Requirements

Proven leadership ability. Superior interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution.
Prior knowledge of business models and business startups is a huge plus, but not required.
Valid driver’s license.
Experience in residential educational programs and camps.
Self-starter, must be able to work alone with a minimum amount of supervision.
Live in-residence during the summer program and training week, in the host campus dormitory.
Bachelor’s Degree or pursuit of degree; at least four years of college or equivalent to apply

How to Apply

Instructional Coach

Position Overview

Reports to: Team Director

Employment Dates:June 13 - July 11, 2027 (Includes mandatory training June 13 - June 17, 2027)

Location: University of Kentucky (Lexington, Kentucky)

Salary: $7500 - This is a temporary contractual position with summer work hours typically 50-55 hours per week, plus bi-weekly 1-hour planning video-calls beginning in mid-March as well as a one in-person Leadership Retreat in May.

Job Description

The GSE Instructional Coach is a key player in our three-week, on-campus summer program for high school students. You’ll collaborate with a team that’s passionate about the power of entrepreneurship to transform lives and drive economic growth across Kentucky.

Our curriculum blends Lean Startup methodology for starting a venture with general leadership development. Student entrepreneurs (Es) learn by doing, through the framework of business model discovery and design-thinking. They use STEAM and design skills to build a prototype, along with research, marketing, and communications to create their business pitch. Activities include guest entrepreneurs, field trips to startup companies and large production facilities, team building exercises and recreational activities.

Required Qualifications:

Instructional Coaches expand the intellectual and creative horizons of GSE student entrepreneurs by providing leadership in ideation, product/service design and development, components of a business model and business pitches. Emphasis is placed on innovation, customer development (validation), and triple bottom line philosophy. Instructional Coaches must be willing and able to use non-traditional and participatory methods, with minimal lecturing. They must relate well and communicate effectively with students ages 14-18. They should be enthusiastic and flexible enough to keep pace with GSE’s intensive, ever-changing environment.

Responsibilities

Instructional Coaches are responsible for planning and delivering the learning content for GSE’s Summer Startup program and establishing an atmosphere of open discussion, interaction, creative thinking and collaboration.

Instructional Coaches work together collaboratively and are supported by staff members called Team Leaders.

Instructional Coaches are expected to:

Develop and maintain productive relationships with Es; initiate contacts, stimulate conversation and excitement among Es, and assist in the leadership of team sessions, activities and field trips.
Work with the other Instructional Coaches and the Program Director to plan and schedule session topics, guest entrepreneurs, field trips and other learning activities; sharing in responsibility for creating and implementing the core content of the program.
Coordinate and lead the Team Leaders in mentoring and coaching student teams to help them develop their ideas to the fullest potential and understand the components of a business model. This involves stimulating open, creative and divergent thinking among the Es and guiding them in their decision-making.
Together with the other Instructional Coach and Team Leaders, assess each E’s knowledge-base and understanding of the components of the business model and tailor the pace of the curriculum accordingly.
Coach and critique team pitches in preparation for the Pitch Fest Help manage the execution of Pitch Fest, including some on-stage interaction with the audience.
Document and critique curriculum and calendar strategies for future planning and

Requirements

How to Apply

Summer Program Counselor-in-Residence

Position Overview

Reports to: Program Director

Employment Dates: June 13 - July 11, 2026 (Includes mandatory training June 13 - July 11, 2027) University of Kentucky (Lexington, Kentucky)

Location: University of Kentucky (Lexington, Kentucky)

Pay: $6,000 (Includes room and meals) - This is a temporary contractual position with summer work hours typically 50-55 hours per week, plus bi-weekly 1-hour planning video-calls beginning in mid-March as well as a one in-person Leadership Retreat in May.

Job Description

Attending GSE can be an intense experience for students as they adjust to new surroundings, face a rigorous schedule, and engage with a supportive, diverse community of entrepreneurs. Students are challenged to grow and expand their horizons, embrace failure, and work through conflict with their team which can lead to both exciting opportunities and intimidating challenges. To fully support GSE students’ emotional, social, and mental health during the summer program, an experienced, reliable, and accessible counselor is a vital member of the summer program leadership team.

The GSE Counselor is an independent contractor who serves the following roles:

Advises GSE Leadership Team, Instructional Coaches, and Staff on a wide range of issues related to social, emotional, and mental health. This includes developing plans of action in response to student issues, and directly responding to those issues when/as necessary.

Leads training for GSE Staff about supporting the emotional/social/mental health needs of students.

Responsibilities

The above roles can generally be broken down into the following responsibilities:

Pre-Program (March – June)

As needed, consult with the GSE Leadership Team on student policies, staff training design, etc.
Attend a leadership meeting with the GSE Leadership Team, Directors and Instructional Coaches in early May.
Have a significant presence during staff training week; this includes leading training sessions for residential life staff and team leaders on topics such as responding to student emotional/social/mental health needs (homesickness, anxiety, etc.), self-care, setting boundaries, etc.

Summer Program

Live in-residence at host campus. Room and board are provided. Applicants who live near GSE host campus and would prefer to live off campus will be considered.
Provide 24-hour consultant and counseling services for the duration of the program. This can include response to emergency situations.
Attend daily leadership meetings to review student needs/issues, develop action plans in consultation with administration, and respond to student needs in a contextualized and timely manner.
As needed, provide one-on-one consultation with individual staff members, students, and student guardians.
Set up meetings with each student team at the beginning of the program to explain the role of Counselor to students.
Provide open workshops to students and staff throughout the program about mental/social/emotional health (i.e. how to deal with public speaking anxiety, how to destress and relax, etc.).

As mentioned above, the Counselor attends a leadership meeting in early May, staff training, and the entirety of the summer program.

Students are often working with their teams from 9:00 a.m. until as late as 9:00 p.m., meaning some student interaction takes place at mealtimes or in the evening. The GSE program operates seven days a week, although the GSE Program Director will work with the Counselor to determine their own plan for rest and self-care.

Requirements

Position requirements:

Master’s Degree in Psychology, Counseling or Social Work (or related field)
Experience in counseling and mentoring youth
Experience in crisis intervention or grief counseling

Desired experience and qualities include:

Knowledge or experience with programs for gifted and talented students
Experience working with high school students
Superior interpersonal and verbal communication skills
Background and/or appreciation of entrepreneurship
Understanding of adolescent development
Knowledge of common psychological disorders and appropriate treatments

How to Apply

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability.

To apply:

The link to apply for all open positions is at the top of this page. In addition to completing the online application, please also submit a resume and reference list to GSE's Program Director, Erica Rust Pennington at [email protected].

For additional information on the position, please email [email protected].

Questions About Employment?

Contact our team with any questions about open positions or joining the GSE team.

Join Our Team

About the Governor's School for Entrepreneurs

Open Positions

Resident Advisor

Position Overview

Job Description

Responsibilities

Requirements

How to Apply

Head Resident Advisor

Position Overview

Job Description

Responsibilities

Requirements

How to Apply

Team Leader

Position Overview

Job Description

Responsibilities

Requirements

How to Apply

Head Team Leader

Position Overview

Job Description

Responsibilities

Requirements

How to Apply

Digital Storyteller

Position Overview

Job Description

Responsibilities

Requirements

How to Apply

Resident Director

Position Overview

Job Description

Responsibilities

Requirements

How to Apply

Team Director

Position Overview

Job Description

Responsibilities

Requirements

How to Apply

Instructional Coach

Position Overview

Job Description

Responsibilities

Requirements

How to Apply

Summer Program Counselor-in-Residence

Position Overview

Job Description

Responsibilities

Requirements

How to Apply

Questions About Employment?

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