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Are you using generative artificial intelligence (AI) to support your career development? On a new episode of the HigherEdJobs Podcast, Evan Walsh, a higher ed career advisor, shared an in-depth look at how students and other job seekers can effectively and ethically use artificial intelligence (AI) in their higher ed job search.
Normalizing the Use of AI
It’s no secret that the use of AI is controversial. Some people strictly advise against it (labeling it as cheating), while others appreciate and advocate for ethical use of the tool. Still, there are others who are either on the fence or are late to the game in figuring out how to make use of AI tools like ChatGPT.
Walsh admited that he was “very apprehensive to start using AI when it first came out,” but he has since embraced it and, in fact, uses AI every day — and encourages his students to use it as well. Though, he cautioned that AI is a “collaborative tool” and it’s important to set ethical boundaries for yourself.
“It is not a shortcut,” he stressed. “I tell my students/job seekers ‘you’re not using AI to copy and paste what it says.'”
He also warned that it is not right all the time (so fact-checking is a must) and that responses can be biased. So whether you are using AI to draft a networking email or enhance your resume, it requires critical thinking and reflection on the chatbot’s output.
“It supports creativity and productivity, but it’s not there to replace genuine effort or critical thinking or who you are as a person in the way that you think,” he said.
Instead, he coaches job seekers to be a “prompt engineer” when using AI. The better prompts you can provide to ChatGPT, Gemini, etc., the better output you will get.
While Walsh acknowledges that everyone has a choice in whether or not to use it, he thinks the technology is here to stay.
“I do think that AI is going to only continue to get more normalized, continue to impact all industries and all jobs [and …] we’re going to be probably forced to use it in some capacity.”
He said that tools like ChatGPT have helped him to “work smarter, not harder” and to personalize his career advising.
Becoming a “Prompt Engineer”
Andrew Hibel, co-host of the podcast, asked Walsh to share some of the “prompts” job seekers can give AI in order to support their career development. The tool can be used for a wide range of applications, including drafting LinkedIn invitations to connect with people, exploring your career options, or drafting application documents.
Walsh said there is a little bit of science in how to prompt AI to get what you need and says you may not always get it right the first time but not to be discouraged — you can keep asking questions.
When you provide a prompt, it’s important to explain who you are, what you’re looking to do, and how you would AI to think/act.
An example might be: I have been working in student affairs. I’m looking to reach out to an academic affairs professional to request an informational interview to learn more about their job and what transferable skills I might have. Acting as my career advisor, use my LinkedIn profile to draft a brief email asking for an informational interview.
“It’s really all about setting the context, the stage, and the foundation to be a prompt engineer to get what you want [out of AI],” Walsh explained.
Being Your Authentic Self
There’s a lot of fear that comes with the use of AI, including concerns from employers and job seekers alike about losing our unique voices and applications all coming out sounding robotic and impersonal. So, co-host Kelly Cherwin, asked Walsh a great question: “How can you ensure your authentic self is still front and center when using AI?”
Walsh reassured listeners that using ChatGPT can actually bring them closer to their authentic selves if used correctly. “It’s a brainstorming tool that’s going to give you the ability to reflect on what it’s saying, what resonates with you, what doesn’t resonate with you,” he said. “It helps you think about new things in a different way related to yourself in your career.”
That’s why the reflective piece is so important if you use generative AI. Walsh encourages listeners not to take the first prompt as the best one. “Continue to ask questions and [ChatGPT] will continue to remember. You can take bits and pieces from different answers and put it together for what resonates with you the best.”
AI Won’t Replace Us
Hibel asked Walsh to close the podcast episode out on a positive note. “[So that we don’t] end the podcast like every bad 1950s sci-fi movie where robots take over the world, Evan, please tell us what’s still important for the job search process that we humans can only do.”
“What we have that generative AI does not have is the human experience,” he reminded listeners. “We have our experiences and our ability to relate and empathize with other people. And the job search process is very dehumanizing. It tests your ego, it tests your self-esteem, your self-worth, your self-confidence. Generative AI can help you stay motivated because you’re working smart, not hard… you use AI to set up an informational interview, but [AI is] not going to be in that informational interview, right? You’re in that informational interview with another human being and you’re making those connections. And that’s what’s still powerful about this process.”
If you’re interested in learning more, Walsh’s institution, Harvard University, offers a comprehensive guide on using AI for professional development and exploration.
Listen to the full podcast for more specific advice from Walsh on prompting AI to support your job search or career advancement or transition.
