Experimenting with ChatGPT
Recently I attended (virtually) a panel presented by my high school's alumni association (shout out to St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Viriginia). Moderated by a bright and engaging faculty member, the panel included SSSAS alumni and parents whose professional work is related to AI. The panelists focused on both the upsides (the promise) and the downsides (the perils) of AI. One of my takeaways: we need to test AI out ourselves, play around in ChatGPT, try different prompts, and learn by doing.
With that encouragement, I spent some time on OpenAI's ChatGPT. I chose a job opening at my former employer and alma mater — Bowdoin College — and used it to study two things: interview preparation and enriched knowledge of the company (or college, in this case). Here's what I did and what I learned.
ChatGPT can help you identify potential interview questions.
My prompt: “I am preparing for a job interview for this position. Give me 10 possible interview questions.” The position is an Assistant Director at the Bowdoin Outing Club, and I pasted the job description into the prompt.
Output: 10 questions grouped by topics.
Leadership and Mentorship
1. How have you successfully mentored students or peers in developing leadership skills in an outdoor setting? Can you provide a specific example?
2. Describe a time when you had to manage a challenging situation or conflict within a group during an outdoor trip. How did you handle it?
3. What strategies do you use to create an inclusive and supportive environment for students with varying levels of outdoor experience?
Outdoor and Technical Expertise
1. What outdoor activities are you most proficient in, and how do you maintain your technical skills across multiple disciplines?
2. Can you share an example of how you’ve applied risk management principles during an outdoor trip? What was the outcome?
Program Development and Implementation
1. What experience do you have in developing or improving outdoor programs, and how did you measure their success?
2. The Bowdoin Outing Club emphasizes accessibility to the outdoors. What initiatives or ideas would you propose to expand access and opportunity for students from diverse backgrounds?
Logistics and Administration
1. How do you manage the logistics of planning multi-day trips, including transportation, equipment, and contingency planning?
2. Describe your approach to balancing administrative responsibilities with hands-on field instruction. How do you prioritize tasks?
Personal Qualities and Fit
1. Why are you interested in working for the Bowdoin Outing Club specifically, and how do you see your skills and experience contributing to its mission?
What to remember: Use these suggestions in conjunction with your own ideas about what you might get asked and what story you will be telling. If you have a gap on your resume, you might get asked about that, for example. Always use your own good judgment in conjunction with whatever ChatGPT suggests.
ChatGPT can broaden your knowledge of the company. One key is to use sequential prompts.
My prompt: I'm applying for this job at Bowdoin College. What are the greatest challenges facing the College right now? I inserted the job description again.
Output:
Bowdoin College is currently navigating several significant challenges:
1. Increasing Student Diversity and Inclusion: Bowdoin has made strides in diversifying its student body, with students of color comprising over 31% of recent classes. However, fostering an inclusive environment remains an ongoing effort. The Bowdoin Outing Club (BOC), as the largest student organization, plays a pivotal role in this initiative. The BOC has actively worked to dispel misconceptions that may deter some students from participating in outdoor activities. By offering a variety of expeditions tailored to different experience levels and eliminating annual dues, the BOC aims to make the outdoors accessible to all students.
2. Managing Growth and Resource Allocation: The BOC has experienced a substantial increase in membership, growing from approximately 400 members in previous years to 1,517 students in the autumn of 2021. This surge necessitates careful management of resources, including equipment, trip availability, and staff support, to maintain the quality of experiences offered.
3. Financial Sustainability and Accessibility: Ensuring financial aid resources meet the needs of a diverse student body is a priority for Bowdoin. The college has launched initiatives like the First Promise Challenge and its sequel, aiming to bolster endowed scholarship funds. These efforts are crucial in maintaining the college's commitment to accessibility and supporting students from various socioeconomic backgrounds.
4. Adapting to Post-Pandemic Realities: The COVID-19 pandemic has had lasting impacts on higher education institutions, including Bowdoin. Adapting to new health guidelines, addressing the mental health needs of students, and integrating lessons learned during the pandemic into future planning are ongoing challenges. The BOC, in particular, has had to modify its operations to ensure safety during outings and maintain engagement among students.
As the Assistant Director for the Bowdoin Outing Club, addressing these challenges involves promoting inclusivity in outdoor activities, effectively managing the club's growth, ensuring financial accessibility for all students, and adapting programs to align with post-pandemic realities.
I responded: Say more about how BOC manages growth.
Second Output:
The Bowdoin Outing Club (BOC) has employed several strategies to manage its significant growth while maintaining its core mission of connecting students to the outdoors. Here are some key approaches:
1. Expanding Accessibility and Engagement
• Membership Model: The BOC transitioned to a no-dues membership model to ensure financial accessibility for all students. This inclusive policy helps reduce barriers to entry, encouraging broader participation.
• Gear Loan Program: To accommodate growing demand, the BOC offers a robust gear loan program, ensuring that all students, regardless of financial background, have access to high-quality outdoor equipment for trips and activities.
• Tailored Programming: The BOC has diversified its offerings to meet the interests and experience levels of a larger student base. This includes activities ranging from beginner-friendly outings to more advanced expeditions.
2. Building Leadership Capacity
• Leader Training Program: The BOC’s semester-long leader training program equips students with technical, leadership, and risk management skills to guide their peers on wilderness trips. Expanding this program helps ensure that there are enough qualified leaders to manage the increased number of trips.
• Peer Mentorship: Experienced student leaders often mentor new leaders, creating a cascading system of knowledge and skills transfer. This approach leverages the club's internal talent to support its growing membership.
3. Resource Management
• Infrastructure Investments: The BOC continually updates and expands its gear inventory and facilities to support more frequent and larger trips. The organization ensures that all equipment is safe, well-maintained, and suited for various outdoor disciplines.
• Staffing and Support: The addition of roles like the Assistant Director helps distribute responsibilities, allowing the team to manage logistics, develop new programs, and maintain high-quality experiences for students.
4. Partnerships and Collaboration
• External Partnerships: Collaborating with local outdoor organizations and guides allows the BOC to enhance its offerings and share resources, such as specialized training or access to unique outdoor spaces.
• Campus Integration: By working closely with other departments and student organizations, the BOC ensures alignment with Bowdoin’s broader mission of inclusivity and sustainability.
5. Emphasizing Inclusivity
• The BOC has taken intentional steps to make its programs welcoming to students from all backgrounds, including those who may not have prior outdoor experience. Initiatives such as introductory trips, outreach to underrepresented groups, and tailored activities aim to make the outdoors more accessible and appealing to the entire student body.
By blending strategic resource allocation, leadership development, and inclusive programming, the BOC has successfully navigated its rapid growth while maintaining its commitment to providing transformative outdoor experiences.
What to remember: Having a conversation with ChatGPT will draw more useful information. Use prompts to narrow down broader questions.
As with the interview question suggestions, it’s important to use any output in conjunction with your own assessments of a company based on what you learn or already know about the company. To me, ChatGPT is always a “both/and” tool and is not something you should use without all of your good judgment and strong analytical skills.
