Career Exploration
Career exploration is a lifelong process that will extend well beyond college. Throughout your professional journey, it is essential to understand your transferable skills, adapt to change, and reflect on the intersection of your interests and abilities. Whether you are just beginning to explore career options or staying current with evolving trends and strategies, generative AI can be a valuable tool to support your efforts.
Example Prompts:
- What careers combine ________ and ________?
For example: What careers combine environmental science and artificial intelligence? - What is the typical career path of a ________?
For example: What is the typical career path of a public policy analyst? - What are some entry-level roles for ________ concentrations or graduates?
For example: What are some entry-level roles for Psychology concentrations? - What skills are essential for a ________ in their day-to-day work?
For example: What skills are essential for a noprofit program coordinator in their day-to-day work? - What are some entry-level opportunities in the ________ sector?
For example: What are some entry-level opportunities in the sports industry? - Which ________ companies are recognized for their commitment to ________?
For example: Which financial services companies are recognized for their commitment to sustainability and ESG practices? - Act as a career advisor. I will describe an individual seeking guidance in their professional path. Your task is to suggest career options based on their skills, interests, and background. Include current industry trends, job outlook, and recommended qualifications.
My request: “I want to advise someone interested in a potential career in data analytics.” - I am a sophomore in college about to have an informational interview. Suggest some questions for an informational interview with an Associate Consultant at Bain & Company. (Source)
Remember, generative AI should not replace guidance from human professionals. The MCS advising team collectively has many years of experience to offer students, in addition to knowledge of Harvard and its expansive alumni network. Meet with an MCS career advisor to brainstorm ways to explore various career paths.
Identifying and Researching Opportunities and Organizations
Generative AI can be a valuable tool in helping you explore and refine career opportunities to create a targeted list of organizations or roles aligned with your academic background, professional interests, or geographic preferences. This list can serve as a starting point for deeper research such as following organizations on LinkedIn or other professional platforms to stay informed about news, opportunities, and industry developments.
To further streamline your search, be sure to use features like the “favorite” or “save” option in Crimson Careers and other job platforms. Customizing your email preferences on the MCS website can also improve the relevance of job alerts and resources you receive.
Remember, it’s important to critically evaluate the output of generative AI tools. They can occasionally produce inaccurate or outdated information (“hallucinations”). Always verify key facts through reputable sources such as company websites, news outlets, and professional databases.
Example Prompts:
- List the top 10 Series A startups focused on healthcare innovation in the San Francisco Bay Area.
- I’m a first-year Harvard undergraduate studying computer science. What internships are typically available specifically for first-year students in the tech sector for the summer?
- I’m interested in climate change and sustainability. Please list 20 organizations offering summer internships in this field, with a focus on policy, research, or innovation.
- Tell me about [insert company name]. Include details about their mission, vision, core values, products/services, leadership team, and recent news. (Source)
- Compare [insert company name] with its key competitors [insert company names] based on metrics such as growth, innovation, workplace culture, and sustainability performance. (Source)
Networking & Informational Interviews
Generative AI can be a powerful support tool in building and maintaining your professional network. It can help you draft tailored outreach messages, prepare thoughtful questions for informational interviews, and craft professional follow-up communications such as thank-you emails. For instance, you might use ChatGPT to refine a cold outreach message to a professional in your field, or to generate ideas for a personalized follow-up email after a meeting.
When used in combination with resources such as Crimson Careers, Harvard alumni databases including Firsthand Advisors, and industry networking events, AI can help you expand your network with clarity and confidence. Review Expand Your Network on the MCS website to get started.
As always, ensure that AI-generated content is thoughtfully reviewed and adapted to reflect your authentic voice and specific context.
Example Prompts:
- Identify local networking events, industry associations, or professional clubs in the [insert location] area that support college students and early-career professionals in [insert industry].
- I’m preparing for an informational interview with a screenwriter who has five years of experience in film and television. Based on their LinkedIn summary [insert text of their profile], please generate three meaningful questions I could ask based on my interests of [insert key components important to you]
- Create a thirty-second elevator pitch for a Harvard junior concentrating in Economics and Global Health, with past internship experience at a federal agency and a health-tech startup. Resume excerpt: [insert text].
- Draft a professional follow-up email to an alumna I met with who is the VP of Sustainability at a mid-sized energy company. We discussed corporate responsibility, international energy policy, and my interest in environmental economics.
