Connecting Students to Dream Jobs Through AI-Powered Networking

Using AI to plan their career journeys is rapidly becoming a normalised part of student experience – but how can we use those tools well?

The most acceptable applications of AI according to students are email enquiries, writing thank you letters, and preparing for job interviews. Conversely, writing application essays and resumes is the least acceptable applications of AI among students.

AI-powered networking

AI and machine learning are pervading the enterprise network, freeing up mundane and time-consuming tasks, while automating labour as well. A world of fully automated zero-wait and zero-trouble networks may still be some ways off, but already, in many cases, AI tools can be used to automate a variety of networking functions, ranging from security duties, network configuration and optimisation to the identification and resolution of performance issues.

For instance, using a nonproduction test environment emulating the production environment, AI helps to detect network configuration changes that need to be scheduled in the production environment with the same determination and arrives at a conclusion prior to making the actual changes to the network. This enables a company to lower its IT risk, shorten time to market and reduce operating costs.

Another way AI provides support is by helping network engineers through multiple layers of network troubleshooting; by predictively collecting and analysing data over extended periods, it constantly monitors and reports anomalies. AI can also track down the root cause of a problem (that can lead to unplanned downtime) by correlating event data and sifting through tens of thousands of log files out of reams of cumulative data to solve issues faster and more reliably. Finally, AI can also help with campus fabrics in greenfield scenarios where it can be leveraged for automatically onboarding, deploying and rapidly troubleshooting campus fabrics, simplifying both Day 0 and Day 2 operations, and ensuring speed and accuracy.

AI-powered matching

When the software engineer Julian Joseph was laid off in July, he knew that finding a new job would entail another several months tending to his laptop, shoulders hunched forward and fingers poised on the keyboard as he filled out application after application, hurling each out into the ether. But Joseph decided that this time he would do it a little differently.

Rather than flooding the internet with spray applications, he now uses LazyApply, an AI-powered, automated applicant tool that blasts out a resume to thousands of jobs with one click.

So this tool is not meant to be a replacement for recruiters (just an extra set of hands who will help them in their endeavours), but will serve as a smart companion that greatly speeds up the screening process and tips them off to golden tickets or potential unicorns. It may have very well been your tech career Cupid, who matched applicants with job openings that will perfectly incubate their skills and help them reach their goals, which can also help remove the conscious and unconscious bias that can sometimes sneak into the hiring process. This is why artificial intelligence is the most likely candidate to give us the best shot at our dream jobs.

AI-powered mentorship

Available digital mentoring platforms facilitate the creation of an unscripted and natural mentoring relationship – vital for the development of key skills for mentees and mentors alike. However, we must remember that AI systems are just as tainted by the biases in the data they ingest, so diversity in the selection of data for use in an AI-based mentoring programme is crucial.

For instance, it could take the student through more challenging topics by breaking them down into small pieces, and then quiz the student on the material. Or it could also reiterate a concept and offer alternate explanations to students who struggle with the material. It could also provide additional reading material or Deepen and widen what they have been learning.

AI coaching can take this one step further with career advice such as recommending relevant networking events or jobs. It can also offer feedback in real time, to see if students are on the right track. For example, DeveloperCulture’s Preplaced long-term mentorship offering gives each student a dedicated industry expert to help them throughout their whole career. This could be helping them get recruited, preparing for interviews, and giving guidance on the subtleties of the industry. This can range from best practices to nuanced advice to directors that might be specific to students’ particular needs.

AI-powered job search

AI tools can help jobseekers identify suitable jobs using their skill and interests, write a professional resume and cover letter, track vacancies, and keep track of the applications and outcomes – and, for the longer-term, learn about trends in the labour market and to assist with career planning.

Machine learning and semantic search let advanced AI tools match a job seeker’s search terms to context and nuance, letting them pull up more meaningful listings A candidate will receive nudges any time a position matching their search criteria is added to a job board.

The second is that AI offers to identify upcoming industry events and conferences in the role area and that the candidate might like to attend, based on the career goals that the candidate specified in her profile (an important part of the process). These events can be powerful ways in which to network and develop sustained connections in your field of endeavour. Thirdly, ChatGPT and other programmes can help candidates to develop copy for a professional email or LinkedIn message to one of the network contacts. The programme can create a message that will be substantially more likely to elicit a reply from the contact – a hugely significant advantage in landing a job.