Career Exploration
Career exploration is not just something you do in college. Throughout your professional life, it will serve you well to understand your transferrable skills, to know how to pivot, and to reflect on how your interests and abilities intersect. Whether you are just getting started in your exploration, or you are staying up to date on trends and techniques, you can use generative AI to help.
Example Prompts:
- What careers blend ________ and ________? For example, what careers blend political science and human rights activism?
- What is the typical career path of a ________? For example, what is the typical career path of an architect?
- What are some entry-level positions for ________ concentrators/majors? For example, what are some entry-level positions for neuroscience concentrators?
- What skills are required for a ________ on a day-to-day basis? For example, what skills are required for a community programs manager on a day-to-day basis?
- What are some entry-level positions in the ________ industry? For example, what are some entry-level positions in the fashion industry?
- Which ________ companies have the best track record for ________? For example, which engineering companies have the best track record for promoting women and minorities?
- I want you to act as a career counselor. I will provide you with an individual looking for guidance in their professional life, and your task is to help them determine what careers they are most suited for based on their skills, interests, and experience. You should also conduct research into the various options available, explain the job market trends in different industries, and which qualifications would be beneficial for pursuing particular fields. My first request is “I want to advise someone who wants to pursue 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 at Sotheby’s. (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 particular 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
One helpful way you can leverage generative AI is using it to develop a targeted list of potential career opportunities or organizations based on your field of interest, study, location, etc. From this list, you can continue your research and follow organizations that interest you on LinkedIn. We also recommend using the “favorite” option in Crimson Careers and other job boards, and customizing your career center email content preferences to improve your personalized recommendations. Remember that generative AI can hallucinate, or generate factually incorrect information. This is why it is best to conduct follow up research from trusted sources.
Example Prompts:
- List the top ten Series A startups focused on healthcare in the San Francisco Bay area.
- I am a first-year undergraduate student interested in computer science. Please identify tech internships specifically for first-years.
- I am interested in climate change and sustainability careers. Please list 20 organizations in this field that offer summer internships.
- Tell me about [insert company name]. Provide details on their mission, vision, values, products, services, key executives, etc. (Source)
- How does [insert company name] compare to their top competitors [insert company names] on key metrics like growth, profitability, innovation, culture, etc.? (Source)
Networking & Informational Interviews
Generative AI can assist you in crafting outreach messages, brainstorming questions to ask during informational interviews, and developing thank-you notes or other follow-up communications. For example, you could ask ChatGPT for suggestions on phrasing a cold outreach email, or a follow up email with someone you have already met. Use this alongside career center tools to Expand Your Network.
Example Prompts:
- Provide insights into local networking groups or clubs that facilitate in-person connections within [insert industry] in the [insert location] area.
- I am interviewing with a screenwriter who has been in the film industry for 5 years. Analyze their LinkedIn profile [insert text of LinkedIn profile] and come up with three questions I can ask during an informational interview.
- Create a 30-second elevator pitch for a junior studying economics and global health who has prior summer internship experience working for the federal government and a small health-tech startup [insert text of resume].
- I met with an alumna who is VP of Sustainability at a mid-sized energy company. We talked about ________ during our meeting. Draft a potential follow-up email based on our conversation.
