CareerVillage Articles

ProTip Two: Be Comprehensive

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 Two:

“A great answer answers the question comprehensively.”

This pro tip is about providing students with complete, detailed answers to their questions. If a student asks “What are three great things about being a programmer and why?” be sure that you list at least three things and specify why you selected them.

Why?

A comprehensive answer makes it easy for students to learn quickly, which makes them more willing to continue learning. Conversely, the harder it is to learn something, the less willing they are to keep on learning. Comprehensive answers also tend to help students discover new questions they might ask next.

How do you know it when you see it?

A comprehensive answer “covers all the bases” and gives details that expand upon the direct answer itself. Read the question carefully and ask “Did I answer each and every part of the student’s question?”

Examples From the Village

Brian goes into detail on how his path through summer school let him graduate in four years:

“Here’s how you figure it out…. The college I went to required 128 credits to graduate… So that means to stay on track you have to take … A typical college class is 3 to 4 credits…reviewing notes… meeting with study groups… or talking with your professor to get help…”

Ken gives a comprehensive list of options available to Mitra when looking for internships and networking:

“Here is a site that will help… Your school counselor can help you locate… Also the head of alumni relations at your school… The reference librarian at your local library can help you to locate…”

What’s next?

  1. To see the next ProTip, head over to ProTip #3: Use Facts or go back to ProTip #1: Be Direct.
  2. Share your thoughts with us by emailing us (hello@careervillage.org) or in the comments below!