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1. Self-direction

Employers are looking for people who know what they need to get their job done. Typical training isn’t an option now with many jobs functioning virtually. 

How You Can Build Self-directional Skills

Some ways to show self-direction are starting your own business, starting up a club or research project, or taking on a job/internship where you have to work independently. Any of these will demonstrate that you’re capable of finding the right resources and putting plans into action. 

 

2. Digital capabilities

With many workplaces operating virtually, you’re going to have to be able to use a computer and software. 

How You Can Build Digital Skills

If you’ve ever learned how to use a software on your own, like Adobe Acrobat, you should be fine learning how to use other software programs you might need for work. By the way, you should get Adobe Acrobat. It’s free for Dartmouth students, and I’ve used it in both of my internships! For more digital discussion, see point 4 on Communication Management.

 

3. Empathy

People have problems, and we need to be understanding, especially during a time of intense political division and a pandemic.

How You Can Build Empathy

Being a decent human being really isn't that hard. Some ways you can practice empathy are by being kind because you don’t know what everyone is going through and being understanding when someone can’t meet a deadline, needs to change meeting dates, etc. Put yourself in their shoes, and treat others how you want to be treated.

4. Communication Management

Always in demand, communication skills are important. Now more than ever, communication skills across a variety of platforms is important.

How You Can Build Communication Skills

Some platforms I’ve encountered at internships are GoogleMeet, Zoom, Instagram, Facebook and of course, email. It’s a good idea to get familiar with using GoogleMeet and Zoom, and it’s especially important to be comfortable with email. 

I suggest getting an online job; for me, online internships give me practice writing business emails, but more importantly, they give me a space to focus on brevity and clarity in my writing. Another great way to build communication skills is as a club executive! You will have options to communicate via email, slack/groupme, and make presentations for meetings. 

Once you know the ins-and-outs of various platforms, you can become a more effective communicator by deciding which platform is best for the communication you need. I would stick to emails for quick questions and updates, and I recommend zooming for presentations or anything requiring teamwork while looking at the same screen/document/whatever. 

 

5. Adaptability

As workplaces consider changes in operation models, adaptability becomes a key skill they look for in employees. 

How You Can Build Adaptability

If you’ve adjusted to taking classes over zoom or from an in-person to an online job, you’ve already shown adaptability. Some other ways to show adaptability are simply trying new things and taking on challenges with unexpected obstacles you have to overcome.

 

6. Motivation

Motivation is essential for making critical decisions in the face of uncertainty. Employers are looking for people with the ability to self-motivate and to inspire others.

How You Can Build Motivational Skills

Much like self-direction, some ways to show motivation are to start a small business or a new club. You can also launch an initiative at work or for a club that you’re already in. Leadership roles are a great way to learn what works and what doesn’t work when motivating others. You can practice motivating others with group projects, any sort of work where you’re leading or teaching others, and with your clubs and activities!

Adapted from https://www.fastcompany.com/90568262/6-skills-employees-will-need-in-the-post-pandemic-workplace

I’m sure by now you know that college comes with a lot of rejections. We get rejected applying to colleges, to clubs at college, to leadership positions, to the job at Boloco, to the fancy finance internship --  you name it. Here are some tips that might make rejection easier to bounce back from.

     1. Remember, it’s usually not personal.

A rejection doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not qualified or worthy. Sometimes we just aren’t a good fit for the place we’re applying to. Think about it, would you want to work with people you don’t fit in with?  

     2.  It’s okay to feel sad, upset, or however else you feel! Your feelings are valid!

You put time and effort into your application. It’s perfectly reasonable to have grief over the rejection. Something that makes me feel better is thinking about the time I spent on an application as a proportion of my life thus far. For example, three hours spent on an application is less than 0.00002% of my life. It isn’t the end of the world!

     3. On a similar note, give yourself time to process your emotions.

If you need to cry, then cry. If you need to slap around a punching bag, do that (only literal punching bags please). Do whatever helps you process your emotions, so you can release them and focus your energy on things that bring you joy!

     4. Avoid comparing yourself to others.

Okay, so Sally from Harvard got the job, but you didn’t. Who cares what Sally’s doing? You’re the most important person in your life. Your life isn’t about the job and who they did or didn’t take, your life is about you! Focus on yourself!

     5. Figure out what skills might give you an edge.

If you keep getting rejections from the same industry and feel underqualified, it’s time to change that! Find people at the companies you want to work for on LinkedIn, network and ask them what skills you should build to put you on track for a job there! If you’re new to networking, log into Dartboard (google dartboard dartmouth, and click the first link), scroll to “Resource library,” and find their resource titled “Networking Guide.”

If you got rejected from a place like Target, it’s probably less because of skills and more because you applied for departments they didn’t need people in; don’t take it to heart. 

     6. When one door closes, another opens! 

Now that you won’t be busy with your next club officer position or internship, you’ll have time for other stuff! Step back and enjoy life, work on building skills, build your network and relationships, apply for another position if you want! The possibilities are endless!

     7. Know you aren’t alone.

Maybe you were the only applicant to get rejected from this particular club or internship, but you’re still not alone! There are plenty of other people around the world getting rejections too, and there are plenty who are the only applicants rejected from their opportunities as well! The bottom line is, you aren’t alone. There are many people in the same boat, and you’re all going to arrive safely onshore one day! 

At the end of every term, the Tutor Clearinghouse sends out a feedback form to all tutees, asking for feedback on their academic mentors. In 17F, Kensington Cochran '20, PSYC 6 tutor and study group leader, and Henry Burns '19, MATH 8 and MATH 13 tutor, received overwhelmingly positive feedback from their tutees. We wanted to share what their tutees had to say about them, as well as their thoughts on what makes their relationship with their tutees so positive and successful.

Photo of Henry Burns '19
Henry Burns, Peer Tutor, Tutor Clearinghouse

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Henry's says about tutoring:

"Tutoring is without a doubt the best job I've ever had. I love getting to work directly with other students to help them with subjects I'm passionate about. The students I tutor are incredibly hardworking, and it's always great to see the progress they make throughout the term. Also, I often find that I understand a subject better myself when I teach it to others."

What Henry's tutees had to say about him: 

"He worked with me every step of a problem and never once made me feel as though I wasn't capable of figuring it out." 

"He would always take time to slow things down for me and offer helpful tips and tricks."

Thanks, Henry!

Photo of Kensington Cochran
Kensington Cochran, Peer Tutor and Study Group Leader, Tutor Clearinghouse

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Kensington says about tutoring:

"I think the reason tutoring through the Tutor Clearinghouse is so successful is that every tutee really wants to learn the material, and that creates a positive, enjoyable, and productive learning environment."

What Kensington's tutees say about her:

"She was literally amazing, super flexible with meeting me and went above and beyond with providing resources."

"She's so great at explaining concepts and visual conceptualizations."

Thanks, Kensington!

Henry and Kensington continue to be a great help to the Tutor Clearinghouse as academic mentors. We are so lucky to have them!

For questions, please email tutor.clearinghouse@dartmouth.edu

You can read more about tutoring, tutor applications and requests, as well as other services on our website: dartgo.org/tutorclearinghouse