Using AI to Your Advantage
AI is here to stay, but it’s still the Wild Wild West!
That means there’s more that we don’t know than we know and the rules haven’t yet been defined. Exciting times for sure, but that also comes with a lot of risk!
Whether you’re applying for a job, a degree, running a business, or a household - AI is everywhere. Artificial Intelligence is a powerful tool, and like every powerful tool, it’s best to read the user’s manual before you do some serious damage, and to get the most out of it.
In this workshop, we’ll talk about some of the tools out there available to you, depending on your needs and goals. Just as important, we’ll talk about some of the associated risks
Finally, we’ll discuss how young people can and should position themselves today to be employable in the Era of AI.
Personal Branding: On Paper, in Person, in Pixels
This interactive, customizable workshop gets the audience thinking about just what personal branding is and how important it is to your success at work, at school, and in your personal life.
Once we agree on the definition of one's personal brand and why it matters big time, we’ll explore some of the main areas where one’s personal brand shines though (or doesn’t) and tackle some of the opportunities to boost one’s own personal brand. Whether the audience member is applying for school, a job, or internship, this highly developed conversation about personal branding raises self-awareness about how others may be perceiving them, whether they are being evaluated based on their CV or resumé, during an online interview, an in-person event, or simply by reviewing one's social media presence - yes, schools and companies are definitely Googling your name!
This program leaves the audience with many quick wins they can implement immediately along with adjustments they may want to consider and implement over time. Either way, the audience feeling more confident in how they present themselves as they take control over how the world perceives them and their potential for success.
Using LinkedIn Like a Pro
LinkedIn is more than just a catalogue of people you met one day while wearing a suit. Besides a great way to keep in touch with people that you want to keep among your professional contacts, it’s a fantastic place to research, to learn, and to project to the world what’s important to you and what you think about it.
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In this workshop, you'll walk away with 5 to 10 quick wins to transform your profile immediately!
For sure in some industries like nursing or landscaping, it’s not as essential to have a good profile as it is when you work in business, but if you’re applying for an MBA, Bachelor’s or pretty much any degree, LinkedIn will be one of your best friends throughout the admissions journey and beyond. Also, if you’re applying for any business or graduate degree, the AdComs will think it’s pretty weird that you don’t take advantage of this free, powerful online networking tool, the lack of which puts you at a massive disadvantage for securing post-degree employment - a serious reg flag for them!
If you’re not seeking a degree, you don’t want to wait until you urgently need to find a job before you begin growing your online network and boosting your online networking skills. Now is the time to invest in growing your network and building relationships with decision-makers and other people who will one day likely open doors for you.
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There's an old saying: "It's not what you know; it's who you know." While of course we need certain skills and experiences to get an interview and ultimately get hired, knowing people that will vouch for your character and professionalism, will send you light years beyond the competition. LinkedIn is the world's most efficient way to create and nurture that network, while learning new things every day and growing your personal brand.
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Throughout this workshop, we'll explore the many features of LinkedIn, many of which are not so obvious that will make your profile more attractive and functional so LinkedIn is working best for you. Depending on the audience needs, attendees can update many features of their profiles in real time and share on the screen for feedback in real time. Other features will take more time and reflection.
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Either way, this workshop will give you the edge to reach your goals.
Networking with Class / Networking with Ease
If networking makes you feel creepy or uncomfortable, you’re probably doing it wrong.
We’ve all heard the adage that your "Network is Your Net Worth."
That it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.
Of course, these tropes are only partially true, but what’s for sure is beyond having the right education, skills, and experiences, if people like and trust you, they are far more likely to recommend you or make that call or email to put you in touch with the opportunities you seek.
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The key to being comfortable with networking and good at it lies int he preparation. I've found that this is surprisingly not obvious to most people who either find they are super awkward or their efforts go unrewarded.
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In this workshop, we'll discuss several ways we can prepare and put ourselves at ease so that the next time we have a networking event on our calendars - or if we randomly meet someone interesting on the train or in a bar - we already know what we will say and how we'll say it. If the audience is comfortable, we can role play several scenarii you may encounter. Most groups find this a lot of fun, once we get past the nerves.
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Every day is an opportunity to newtork!
The 4 Axes of a CV / Resumé
The 4 Axes are the 4 main things that will influence the structure and content of what you include - and intentionally exclude - in your professional resumé or CV.
They are:
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Geography (region of the world)
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Industry (career field)
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Goal (applying for a job, degree, internship, scholarship, volonteer)
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Personality (make yourself stand out!)
Together, we’ll explore what these things are and how they can massively influence what your resumé looks like. Spoiler Alert: you’ll most likely have multiple versions and formats of your CV at different times in your life, especially if you’re applying to jobs and schools in different countries!
Once we define the 4 Axes, we’ll look at some examples of good and bad CVs, and then take a look at some CVs from the audience. Now armed with some critical assessment tools, we’ll collectively give feedback to
Nailing the Interview
You've been preselected, so you meet the criteria - congratulations! Now you need to sell yourself and seal the deal!
As a podcast host since 2021, I've interviewed hundreds of people, and I have a pretty good handle on what makes people look and sound their best, how to create a trust with an interviewer, build a rapport, and ultimately win them over. Working for many years in admissions at the MBA and undgraduate levels has taught me a lot as well.
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These days, most interviews are done online, so things have changed. My pre-interview coaching is all about how to prepare, and prepare deeply. So much of what makes an interview a success or a flop has to do with confidence, and the surefire way to grow your confidence is with preparation and practice. We'll also cover how, despite the fears of most people, you already know what they're going to ask you!
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During this highly interactive workshop, we'll cover many of the interviewing basics and do's & don'ts for nailing the interview and various contexts. We'll go through some examples as audience members call out what they find works well and doesn't. Finally (if desired) the audience will be grouped into threes to put what we've learned into practice and simulate an actual interview. Each person inthe triad will experience being the interviewer, the interviewee, and the observer.
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By the end of this workshop, participants will walk away feeling far more confident and comfortable, knowing that each of us has the tools and skills​ to great in almost any interview.​
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What I Wish I Knew 5 Years Ago
"Hindsight is always 20/20!"
If you're not familiar with the expression, it means that looking back in the past, the truth is clear and obvious.
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What small steps can you take today that will have a huge impact later?
This workshop is designed for younger audiences, usually university students in their early 20s, but can be adapted for high school, master's, or other levels. Meeting them where they are today, we'll explore various strategic decisions that would position them to be far more attractive to an admissions committee or future employer a few years from now.​
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When people are faced with the challenge of applying for a job at a prestigious company or a top-ranked MBA program, the pressure is on and we we start to realize, 'If only I had more time to do X....." Or, "I wish I did this or that a few years ago...." We often regret not having taken certain steps when we were younger, but we can only move ahead and hope for the best.
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While a time machine would be an ideal solution, something more realistic is having a Career Coach and Educational Consultant show you while you're still young the things "I wish I knew 5 years ago."
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Small steps now, big results later!
Eric Lucrezia has nearly 2 decades of experience speaking in front of large and small audiences, on a wide range of topics, group trainings, workshops, and short courses. Bring your event to life with a dynamic speaker that engages audiences.
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Eric is originally from New York, but has lived in Spain, Australia, and currently in France since 2010. As a binational and trilingual education professional, Eric connects with learners across cultures.
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