Using AI In Your Career Development
Artificial Intelligence & Career Development at HWS
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing how we learn, work, communicate, and pursue career opportunities. From exploring career paths to preparing application materials and developing technical skills, AI tools can be valuable resources throughout your professional journey.
At Hobart and William Smith, we encourage students to approach AI thoughtfully and strategically. While AI can help generate ideas, organize information, and improve efficiency, career development remains a deeply personal process. Understanding your strengths, interests, values, and experiences and learning how to communicate them authentically is something no technology can do for you.
The Salisbury Center is here to help you navigate both the opportunities and challenges AI presents as you prepare for internships, research opportunities, graduate school, and your future career.
AI can help generate ideas, identify possibilities, and organize information. Your experiences, values, goals, and authentic voice are what ultimately make your career story unique. At HWS, we encourage students to use AI as a tool—not a substitute for reflection, learning, and personal growth.
Unsure where to start? Get personalized guidance with AI Search
AI CAN HELP YOU START.
You Finish the Story.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems designed to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as analyzing information, recognizing patterns, solving problems, generating content, and making predictions.
One area students are likely to encounter most frequently is Generative AI, which includes tools that can create text, images, code, presentations, and other content based on user prompts.
Popular AI tools include:
- ChatGPT
- Gemini
- Claude
- Microsoft Copilot
- Perplexity
As these tools continue to evolve, many employers now expect graduates to understand how to use AI effectively, responsibly, and ethically.
AI can be a helpful partner throughout the career development process when used thoughtfully.
Use AI to:
- Explore career options connected to your major
- Learn about industries and career fields
- Identify transferable skills
- Understand emerging career trends
- Generate ideas for internships, research opportunities, and experiential learning
Example Prompt:
What careers combine environmental science, GIS, and sustainability?
AI can help:
- Brainstorm accomplishment statements
- Translate research or academic experiences into resume language
- Identify transferable skills
- Suggest stronger action verbs
- Improve formatting and organization
Example Prompt:
Help me turn my summer research experience into resume bullet points.
Remember: Employers want to understand your experiences and accomplishments. Always review, edit, and personalize AI-generated content.
AI can assist with:
- Organizing ideas
- Identifying themes from job descriptions
- Creating first drafts
- Improving clarity and structure
However, cover letters should reflect your genuine interest, experiences, and voice.
Example Prompt:
Help me identify how my leadership experiences connect to this internship description.
Interview Preparation
AI can be an excellent practice partner.
Use AI to:
- Conduct mock interviews
- Generate common interview questions
- Practice behavioral interviewing
- Refine STAR method responses
- Build confidence before interviews
Example Prompt:
Conduct a mock interview for a data analyst internship and provide feedback on my responses.
AI can help students:
- Draft outreach messages
- Prepare informational interview questions
- Research organizations
- Learn networking best practices
Example Prompt:
Help me draft a LinkedIn message to an HWS alumnus working in biotechnology.
LinkedIn & Personal Branding
Use AI to:
- Brainstorm LinkedIn headlines
- Develop profile summaries
- Highlight transferable skills
- Generate ideas for professional posts
Remember that authenticity matters. Your LinkedIn profile should sound like you, not a chatbot.
Best Practices for Using AI
Use AI as a Starting Point
AI works best when it helps generate ideas, organize thoughts, or create a first draft.
Your final work should reflect your experiences, goals, and personality.
Fact-Check Information
AI can occasionally generate inaccurate or misleading information.
Always verify:
- Employer information
- Salary data
- Job requirements
- Industry trends
- Graduate school information
Use reputable sources and conduct your own research.
Personalize Everything
Employers can often recognize generic or overly polished AI-generated content.
Edit all AI-generated materials to ensure they accurately reflect:
- Your experiences
- Your accomplishments
- Your communication style
- Your motivations
Understand Employer Policies
Some employers, graduate schools, fellowships, and scholarship programs may limit or prohibit AI-generated application materials.
Always review application guidelines before submitting materials.
Protect Your Privacy
Never upload:
- Personal identifying information
- Sensitive data
- Proprietary research
- Confidential employer information
- Protected academic materials
Review privacy policies before using any AI platform.
Career Exploration
- What careers align with a psychology major interested in healthcare and research?
- What jobs combine environmental science and technology?
- What industries hire mathematics graduates?
Resume & Cover Letter Support
- Help me identify transferable skills from my campus leadership experience.
- What accomplishments should I highlight from my internship?
- How can I better describe my research experience?
Interview Preparation
- Ask me behavioral interview questions for a healthcare internship.
- Help me practice answering “Tell me about yourself.”
- Evaluate my STAR response.
Networking
- Create questions I can ask an HWS alumnus during an informational interview.
- Help me prepare for a networking event.
- Draft a thank-you message after a career fair conversation.
Networking
- Create questions I can ask an HWS alumnus during an informational interview.
- Help me prepare for a networking event.
- Draft a thank-you message after a career fair conversation.
Graduate School Exploration
- Compare master’s programs in public health and health administration.
- What questions should I ask graduate school admissions representatives?
- Help me organize my graduate school search.
AI in the Workplace
AI is becoming increasingly integrated into many industries, including:
- Healthcare
- Biotechnology
- Finance
- Education
- Environmental Science
- Marketing
- Government
- Manufacturing
- Technology
- Research
Regardless of your major, developing AI literacy can help you better understand how technology is changing the future of work.
Employers are increasingly seeking graduates who can:
- Evaluate information critically
- Use technology responsibly
- Solve problems creatively
- Communicate effectively
- Adapt to new tools and systems
These human-centered skills remain valuable even as technology evolves.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Technology that enables computers to perform tasks associated with human intelligence.
Generative AI
AI systems that create new content such as text, images, code, presentations, or videos.
Large Language Model (LLM)
A type of AI system trained on large amounts of text to understand and generate human language.
Machine Learning
A branch of AI that enables systems to learn from data and improve over time.
Prompt
The question, instruction, or information provided to an AI system.
Hallucination
When an AI system presents incorrect or fabricated information as fact.
Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
Software used by employers to collect, organize, and review job applications.
Additional Learning Resources
AI Learning Platforms
- ChatGPT
- Gemini
- Claude
- Perplexity
- Microsoft Copilot
Build Your Skills
- Coursera
- LinkedIn Learning
- IBM SkillsBuild
- Google Career Certificates
- Microsoft Learn
Explore Careers
- Career Dreamer
- O*NET
- HWS Career Network
- Handshake
Questions About AI?
The Salisbury Center for Career, Professional and Experiential Education can help you:
- Explore careers using AI tools
- Strengthen resumes and cover letters
- Prepare for interviews
- Build your LinkedIn profile
- Develop networking strategies
- Understand AI’s role in the workplace
- Evaluate AI-generated content critically
Schedule an appointment with a Career Coach to discuss how AI can support your career development while helping you build the confidence and skills employers value most.