beyond the webinar

Beyond the Webinar: Virtual Career Workshops

Hello!I am

Nicolle Merrill

I am here because I love international students and giving

presentations.

You can find me at:

@pdxnicolle

A Quick Overview

◎ Mini-case on building virtual workshops◎ Post-it parking lot discussion◎ DIY Virtual Workshops Framework

INNOVATION

“Talking about innovation is kind of annoying.

EXPERIMENTCHANGEHOPEGUESSADAPTPLAY

Hello, Post-It Notes

Post-it Parking LotWhat is your favorite job-related idea from this past year?

If you could teach international students one thing before they arrived what would it be?

A Challenge

All good career office stories start this way.

◎ One-year program ◎ 63 students◎ 25-40 years old◎ 2-15 years work

experience◎ Post-MBA and

concurrent MBA students

◎ 30+ countries

Master of Advanced Management

MAM Timeline

Mid-AugustArrival and Orientation

September Applications

open

Networkingbegins

OctoberInterviews

begin

“MAM students arrived on campus unprepared

resulting in frustration and distrust.

““I didn’t know. Nobody told us that.”

Reflect

What isn’t working?

AskStudents for feedback

ExamineStudent communication tools

UnderstandStudent experience

(MOST) WEBINARS SUCK

Millennials expect interactive virtual experiences

◎ Two-way◎ Visual cues◎ Chat enabled◎ Seamless

Innovate

Also known as change, hope, guess, experiment, play

Reevaluate

Knowledge

Learning objectives

Communication style and tools

All the ideas in one giant plan

Knowledge

◎ Employer expectations

◎ OCR vs. Self-directed search

◎ American-style Networking

◎ Fall timeline◎ Cultural

challenges◎ Visa limitations

Learning Objectives◎ Use LinkedIn to

research companies in two target countries and build a 50-company strong target list

◎ Understand the visa process and limitations

◎ Build a Yale SOM resume before arrival

Communication Style and Tools◎ Flipped classroom◎ Experiential

learning◎ MOOCs

Zoom Video Conferencing

◎ Mobile friendly◎ Seamless sign on◎ Chat enabled◎ Two way video

“A 2 month virtual career workshop series using

updated technology, with a focus on active learning with purposeful interactivity.

Deliver

Nothing ever goes as planned.

Many moving parts

Setting the tone and logistics

Discussing company research assignment

Dealing with surprises

Results

Students wanted more. We learned a lot.

4 SessionsAcross June and July

1,000%*Increase in email volume

40%Overall participation rate

*dramatization but it felt like it.

UnexpectedResults◎ Student engagement

before sessions◎ Continuous Q&A ◎ 300+ company

interest list ◎ Community building:

Everyone’s favorite music video

◎ 63 new relationships

““The MAM job search session prepared us for the self-directed search, which I think is a key approach to recruiting.”

““Actually knowing every aspect of what to do or what not to do when approaching an employer gave me a glimpse on how to communicate with employers and what aspects they take into account.”

““Everything around how to get a visa in the US was very helpful.”

““I believe in at least 3 one-on-one sessions prior to us going here, to ramp up our efforts with the pace of the 2nd year MBA's. The context-specific consultation sessions really helped a lot in correcting my resume and aligning my professional goals.”

““Provide more job information in advance and let them know how important it is.”

““Give some articles related to the main topic of the session. So as to ask more questions”

Learnings

◎ Virtual presenting is a skill.◎ Content shifts depending on student interest and

questions.◎ Assignments work but students don’t read

everything.◎ Nothing goes as planned but keep going anyway.◎ Time zones are tricky. Don’t make sessions

mandatory.◎ There’s value in just answering questions.

Key Takeaways

Reflect

Don’t be afraid to ask your team “what isn’t working?” Then ask why.

Practice

Virtual presentations take energy, enthusiasm and practice.

Collaborate

Don’t go at this alone. Create a team of enthusiastic, motivated people.

Adapt

Take what isn’t working and change it. Use feedback to improve. Experiment again.

Your thoughts?

Your Turn

◎ What would you like to teach students before they arrive on your campus?

◎ What are you doing to engage students before they arrive? What is working? What isn’t working?

Build Your Own Virtual Workshops

Identify the need

Design the structure

Select the technology

Practice

Identify the need

● Review and reflect on past activities: What worked and why? ● Host a team reflection session: What isn’t working? ● Ask current international students: What do you need? What would

help you?● Identify and create dedicated team of motivated workshop produce

Design the structure

● Set learning objectives● Outline your content● Identify materials to support learning objectives (videos, infographics,

tutorials)● Get feedback

Select technology

Practice

● Evaluate options based on audience size, cost (Google Hangouts, Crowdcast.io, Zoom)

● Show your face and embrace chat ● Accept that technological mishaps may happen● Get outside your comfort zone

● Deliver content in person to team first ● Practice and record a virtual mini-session using platform with team

members ● Practice using chat and advancing slides while staying engaged ● Revise energy level, tone, and delivery accordingly after recording

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Build Your Own Virtual Career Workshops

Thanks!ANY

QUESTIONS?

You can find me at:@pdxnicolle

nicolle.merrill@yale.edu