The document discusses prototypes created to help Sachin, a software engineering graduate student, start his career. The first prototype involves role-playing a job interview to help Sachin practice common interview questions. Feedback notes it's important to involve real hiring managers. The second prototype has Sachin role-play networking at a professional meet-up to learn how to effectively connect with others in the industry and align his needs. Feedback recommends continuing to attend relevant meetups and events to expand Sachin's network.
2. Problem Statement & selected ideas from previous sessions
Problem Statement: Sachin who is smart, personable, outspoken, detail-oriented
software engineering graduate student, needs to start his career as software engineer
because he wants to be able to payback his student loan and establish himself
financially to open his own company in future.
1. Get internship quickly Network with professionals
in S/W industry
2. Network with professionals in S/W industry
3. Take courses aligned to S/W application
development
3. 1. Prototype: Get internship
Rapid prototyping technique used : Skits
1. Student Sam (who provided problem set) participated in interview
as student who needs a internship
2. I played a role of hiring manager
3. In the skit many questions were asked such as : tech related, long
term goals, value of internship, why a particular company ?
4. We repeated same questions with Sam’s friend and make notes
4. Feedback
+
• Many questions were asked as real
interview
• Questions were real as collected from
senior students already secured I’ship
• Many new areas were unfolded where
question may be asked.
We need more people to test prototype,
especially when you are prototyping
service.
?
• Are we prototyping a product ?
• Are we giving enough time required
for prototyping service?
• How can we benchmark this?
!
• Record the video and show some real
hiring managers and ask
Good questions are being asked?
would they hire Sam ?
5. Reflection
• What you leaned by testing prototypes?
Prototyping service is much more difficult than product.
Prototyping needs motivation, patience and right stakeholders
Prototyping unfolds many avenues which we might completely miss without
prototyping
Prototyping is not a guarantee of success but one step forward toward that
• What we would do next if you were to continue
working on the project?
Involve some hiring manager to supervise the service/process.
Test this prototype with more students.
6. Rapid prototyping technique used : Role-playing
1. Student Sam (who provided problem set) participated in a meet-up
session where I played role of new graduate
2. In the role play I tried to network professional unknown to me
before and shown how to align needs vs. supply.
3. We repeated networking session in college job fair.
2. Prototype: Network with professionals in S/W industry
7. Feedback
+
• Great sessions with great people.
• Need to break the ice and rest is
smooth
• Be yourself, do not shy
• Reach out, the worst is people may
discard you but usually rare in
professional world.
• Do not copy, take inspirations
• Should print business cards
• Have online presence
• Start some volunteer work
?
• Do all people do this who get
internships?
!
• List more meet-ups and attend
relevant to S/W development.
8. Reflection
• What you leaned by testing prototypes?
Professional networking works.
Not as difficult as it looked initially.
Professionals are there to hire people
Prove your viability and get the assignment
• What we would do next if you were to continue
working on the project?
Involve more students and go to networking events regularly
Participate in public Hackathons organized by S/W companies