Our ProTip series is designed to help Professionals on CareerVillage.org create advice that will become the best answer for any student looking for the answer to a question.
Introducing ProTip Five:
“Recommend specific, concrete actions a student can take to accomplish their goal.”
Giving students tangible next step recommendations gives them a clear idea of what to do next. Oftentimes even the best advice can leave students feeling like they aren’t sure what exactly they should do if they aren’t explicitly told, so tell them!
Here’s a list of example “next steps”:
- Call a local accounting company to ask them if they take summer interns.
- Add one new piece to your portfolio.
- Apply for three scholarships.
- Join an afterschool club that teaches coding.
- Update your resume to use “action verbs”.
- Ask your favorite teacher if s/he knows a judge you can do an “informational interview” with.
- Etc…
Why?
Big accomplishments often have small beginnings; every small step a student volunteer takes can change their perspective and help them in their career journey. Students are hoping to replicate the steps you took to get where you are.
How do you know it when you see it?
Usually a list of bullet points or detailed steps on what steps to take.
Examples From the Village
Steven lays out steps to help Fikret increase his GPA:
“First, seek out… Now you have to establish… Your specific process will need…”
Jared gives a step by step guide to Shruthi on how to gain job experience:
“Step 1: Get experience even if it isn’t “work” experience… Step 2: Do things to stand out when you apply… Step 3: Know when not to waste your time…”
What’s next?
- To see the next ProTip, head over to ProTip #6: Cite your source or head back to ProTip #4: Tell a Personal Story.
- Share your thoughts with us by emailing us (hello@careervillage.org) or in the comments below!