There’s a lot of fear about Open AI’s new chatbot called ChatGPT in academia and even outside of academia. That’s understandable. People have always feared new technologies because – well – it’s new. If used correctly, AI can be useful in your day to day. AI tools can certainly assist you in making small tasks more efficient. But can AI help you in an important part of your life like your career pivot? I would argue, yes.
Below are a few examples of how you can use ChatGPT to assist you in the next steps of your career.
Note: Don’t fully rely on the tools. Use and verify.
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Create Outlines For Informational Interviews
The first way AI can help your career pivot is by formulating questions to ask people you want to interview. Below are the top five questions from ChatGPT. They’re honestly good questions. While you do not have to use the questions word for word, you can edit the responses to fit your situation.
- Can you tell me about your current role and how you got there?
- What skills or experiences from your past career have you found most transferable to your current role?
- What was your biggest challenge in making the career pivot and how did you overcome it?
- Can you share any resources or networks that were particularly helpful during your career transition?
- What advice would you give to someone considering a similar career pivot?
Generate Career Path Ideas
Secondly, AI can also help you brainstorm new career paths. Below are the top ten questions from ChatGPT based on my question, “What are the top 10 jobs for PhDs in English?”. Again, solid responses that can give you some type of inspiration. Albeit, they are only surface level.
- College/University Professor
- Research Scientist
- Technical Writer
- Editor/Proofreader
- Content Strategist
- High School Teacher
- Librarian
- Marketing/Communications Specialist
- Copywriter
- Digital Humanities Specialist
Write Email Templates
If you want to reach people, emailing them is a straightforward way to make a good first impression. Below is the response from ChatGPT. I asked, “Can you write an email template. I want to schedule an informational interview with a SEO director named Sarah.”
The response is generally okay, but it definitely needs more style and personality.
Subject: Request for an Informational Interview with Sarah
Dear Sarah,
I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name] and I am a [Your Title/Occupation]. I am reaching out to you because I am interested in learning more about the field of SEO and I believe you would be an excellent resource for me.
I came across your profile online and was impressed by your experience and success in the field. I would be honored if you would be willing to grant me some of your time for an informational interview. I understand that you are busy, so I would be happy to arrange a time and place that is convenient for you.
During the informational interview, I would love to learn about your experience in the field of SEO, your career journey, and any advice you may have for someone just starting out. I am particularly interested in understanding the key skills and qualities that have contributed to your success and how you stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the industry.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the opportunity to learn from you.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
After Your PhD
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