Career Circle Program: 6-Week Mentorship for College Students
The Career Circle Program is a comprehensive 6-week mentorship program designed specifically for college juniors navigating the job search process. Each week focuses on a different aspect of career development, providing students with practical tools and strategies to succeed in landing their first job.
Throughout the program, mentors provide personalized guidance, share valuable experiences, and help students grow both personally and professionally. The curriculum builds progressively, taking students from self-assessment to job offer negotiation.
Introduction and Icebreakers
Get to know peers and mentors in a supportive environment.
Build Your Coat of Arms
Reflect on personal and professional journey through creative exercise.
Vulnerability and Trust
Explore Brené Brown's concepts to build authentic connections.
Week 1 focuses on building trust within the group and helping students craft personal narratives that connect their goals with their past experiences. This addresses the common challenge of poorly differentiated resumes due to limited work history. Facilitators model vulnerability, encourage reflection, and create a non-judgmental space for sharing.
Week 1 Agenda
1️⃣ Introductions and Icebreaker (15 minutes)
2️⃣ [Dare to Lead Brene Brown Interview]() & Discussion (15 minutes)
3️⃣ [Exercise: Build Your Coat of Arms]() & Discussion (20 minutes)
4️⃣ Close & Group Discussion (10 minutes)
Personal Purpose
Find Your Ikigai
Career Alignment
Matching values with opportunities
Company Research
Identifying Potential Employers
Week 2 helps students understand that their target job should align with their individual interests, creating a unique fit they can articulate in conversations and later use in crafting their resume. The concept of Ikigai is introduced to help define personal purpose by exploring the intersection of passion, skill, market demand, and societal need.
Students engage in a ChatGPT exercise to encourage exploration and learn about networking through LinkedIn Learning videos focused on connecting with hiring managers. This prepares them to identify and engage with key individuals who can help them access job opportunities.
Week 2 Agenda
1️⃣ Group Reflection (10 minutes)
2️⃣ Video: How To Find Your Purpose & Discussion (10 minutes)
3️⃣ Exercise: Brainstorm Career Path with ChatGPT & Discussion (20 minutes)
4️⃣ Video: Connect with hiring managers & Discussion (10 minutes)
5️⃣ Group Discussion (10 minutes)
Create a Base Resume
Develop a comprehensive record of all experiences as a foundation
Personalize for Target Roles
Tailor resume content to match specific job requirements
Optimize LinkedIn Profile
Align online presence with professional goals and resume content
Week 3 guides students in personalizing their resumes to better match target positions. Simon Sinek's "The Origin of Why" is introduced to emphasize that employers hire based on what they believe a candidate can contribute. The concept of a Base Resume helps students maintain a comprehensive record of experiences, making it easier to create tailored applications.
The week concludes with LinkedIn profile optimization, ensuring students present themselves effectively online and create consistency across all professional materials.
Week 3 Agenda
1️⃣ Group Reflection (10 minutes)
2️⃣ The Origin of Why & Discussion (15 minutes)
3️⃣ Build a Strong Base Resume & Discussion (15 minutes)
4️⃣ Build a LinkedIn Profile & Discussion (10 minutes)
5️⃣ Group Discussion (10 minutes)
Build Relationships
Connect with industry professionals
Identify Leaders
Find thought leaders in target fields
Engage Authentically
Create meaningful interactions
Work Out Loud
Share work and progress openly
Week 4 encourages students to start networking actively using John Stepper's "Work Out Loud" concept as a foundation for building professional relationships. By sharing their work and progress openly, students can attract opportunities and connections that align with their goals.
A ChatGPT exercise helps identify potential thought leaders and professionals who can help students network into target companies. The week concludes with social media best practices for maintaining an effective online presence for professional networking.
Week 4 Agenda
1️⃣ Group Reflection (10 minutes)
2️⃣ Working Out Loud with John Stepper (5 minutes)
3️⃣ 10 Ways To Contribute (10 minutes)
4️⃣ Exercise: ChatGPT Follow Leaders (15 minutes)
5️⃣ Branding Yourself Through Social Media (10 minutes)
6️⃣ Group Discussion (10 minutes)
Application Strategy
Balance quality vs. quantity
STAR Framework
Structure compelling stories
Lean Startup Approach
Treat each application as an experiment
Week 5 focuses on job application and interview best practices. Students reflect on whether to personalize each application or take a mass application approach, a concept explored in the "How Many Jobs" podcast. The STAR framework (Situation, Task, Action, Result) helps students craft compelling stories to communicate their experiences effectively during interviews.
The Lean Startup approach encourages students to view each job application and interview as an experiment, promoting learning from each experience and improving strategies over time to enhance future success.
Week 5 Agenda
1️⃣ Group Reflection (10 minutes)
2️⃣ How Many Jobs (15 minutes)
3️⃣ Storytelling During the Interview (15 minutes)
3️⃣ The Lean Startup Book Summary (10 minutes)
4️⃣ Group Discussion (10 minutes)
The final week emphasizes cultivating authentic relationships for long-term career success. Daniel Pink's "The Power of Regret" introduces four types of regret—foundation, boldness, moral, and connection—and how they influence decision-making. By reflecting on relationship regrets, students can make more intentional choices in their professional interactions.
While job searches often aim to avoid mistakes, setbacks and regrets serve as valuable learning opportunities, guiding students toward better decisions and stronger professional relationships.
Week 6 Agenda
1️⃣ Group Reflection (10 minutes)
2️⃣ Ultimate Guide to Following Up (15 minutes)
3️⃣ Daniel Pink on the Power of Regret (15 minutes)
4️⃣ Group Discussion (20 minutes)
Authentic Relationships
Focus on meaningful connections rather than transactional interactions for long-term career success.
The Power of Regret
Understand how foundation, boldness, moral, and connection regrets shape professional decision-making.
Learning from Setbacks
Transform mistakes and regrets into valuable learning opportunities that guide better future decisions.