Networking at Events
You arrive at a career fair where you do not know anyone. Name one strong opening question you could use to begin a conversation.
Acceptable responses:
“What brought you to today’s event?”
“What kind of work does your organization do?”
“What advice would you give a first-year student interested in your field?”
Name one campus employee, besides a professor, who could become part of your professional network.
Academic adviser, career counselor, librarian, residence hall director, student activities staff member, coach, program director, or alumni relations staff member.
Typing an entire professional email in this style can make it appear that you are shouting.
Using all capital letters
A team member who records assignments, deadlines, and decisions is helping the group avoid this common problem.
Confusion, miscommunication, or lack of accountability
Unscramble this soft skill:
YLTBIIIAERL
Reliability
This short introduction usually includes your name, what you study, an interest or goal, and a question for the other person.
Elevator Pitch
This campus office can help with résumés, internships, interviews, career exploration, and employer connections.
Career and Professional Development office
Put these email elements in the best order: closing, greeting, purpose, request.
Greeting, purpose, request, closing
Name one responsibility every team member has, even when they are not the official leader.
Communicating, meeting deadlines, contributing ideas, asking questions, supporting teammates, and taking responsibility.
Unscramble this skill:
TIADPAILABTY
Adaptability
You have been talking to someone for several minutes, but other people are waiting. Give a professional way to end the conversation without making it awkward.
Acceptable Responses:
“It was great speaking with you. May I connect with you on LinkedIn?”
“I’ll let you meet some other students, but I’d love to stay in touch.”
You enjoyed a professor’s class and want to build a connection. What is a better first step than asking, “Can you get me an internship?”
Attend office hours, discuss the course, ask about their field, and seek advice before requesting an opportunity.
Rewrite this message professionally:
“Yo professor my fault, I missed class. Did I miss anything important, also can you send me the syllabus?”
Possible answer:
“Hello Professor Smith, I was unable to attend class today. Could you let me know what material or assignments I should review in the syllabus? Thank you.”
A group has six people, but two students are doing nearly all the work. What system could make responsibilities more visible?
A task tracker, shared document, role chart, meeting notes, or written division of responsibilities.
Name the soft skill: You receive critical feedback, ask clarifying questions, and use it to improve instead of becoming defensive.
Coachability, emotional intelligence, or a growth mindset.
You met an employer on Wednesday afternoon. By when should you ideally send a follow-up message, and what should it mention?
Within 24 to 48 hours, mentioning something specific from the conversation and thanking them for their time. (Latest Friday, before the weekend)
Name three things a student should do before attending a professor’s office hours.
Review the syllabus, prepare specific questions, bring relevant work, arrive on time, and know what help they are requesting.
During a disagreement, this communication technique involves summarizing the other person’s point before responding.
Active listening or Reflective listening
Your team has two strong ideas and cannot agree. Name a fair method for reaching a decision besides “the loudest person wins.”
Vote, test both ideas, establish criteria, combine the strongest parts, consult evidence, or ask a neutral person (professor) for feedback.
You have an exam, a work shift, a club event, and a paper due during the same week. Name the skill involved and two tools you could use.
Time management or prioritization. Tools may include a calendar, planner, task list, time blocking, reminders, or breaking assignments into smaller steps.
One student plays a nervous freshman standing alone at a professional reception. Another plays a representative from an organization. A third student must enter the conversation, introduce themselves, include the nervous student, ask a meaningful question, and exit professionally.
Scoring:
A student wants to enter a competitive field but has no connections. Act out a conversation with a professor, adviser, club leader, or campus employee. The student must explain their interest, ask a thoughtful question, and request a realistic next step without directly asking for a job.
Strong next steps:
Perform the wrong version and then the improved version of this situation:
A student believes a group member has not completed their share of a project. The student must address the issue without insulting them, accusing them, or taking over the entire assignment.
Full-credit response should include:
Scenario: Act out a team meeting held 24 hours before a major presentation. One person has disappeared, one person wants complete control, and one person is overwhelmed. The team must reorganize the work and leave with a realistic plan.
Scoring:
Possible skills: Accountability, adaptability, professionalism, confidence, empathy, active listening, problem-solving, and emotional regulation.