beyond the webinar
TRANSCRIPT
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
