Tutor profile: Brianna T.

What is the value of networking and informational interviews?

Networking is a highly important activity that can set you up for success years before you know you need it. You always want to put your best foot forward, and starting with a friendly greeting and a firm handshake can work wonders for you future career. Networking can take many forms, like in-person events where you meet successful people from your field, online forums where you can chat or post a message for an individual you are interested in making a professional connection with, or even just cold-emailing someone and letting them. know who you are and what your interest in their work is. Networking can be a great practice that leads to informational interviews. Informational interviews are brief conversations with someone you are interesting in learning more about, be it their job, how they got there, or if they know of any available opportunities you may be able to take advantage of. The most important thing to know about informational interviews, is that though they may seem informal, you always want to act as though they are a real job interview, because you never know - they may just turn out to be one! If you have further questions about networking and informational interviews, or any other career prep, feel free to let me know and I will do what I can to set you up for success!

How can I improve my time-management and organization skills?

The best way to improve your time-management and organization skills is to write everything down (at least once!), and create a system that works best for you. This could mean using an agenda or planner, setting reminders on your phone or other electronic devices, or using a calendar (like Google Calendar or Outlook Calendar) to keep track of your schedule. Another way you can get and stay organized is to start a to-do list that lists everything you need to get done on one sheet of paper so you can see it all at once. Then, you can prioritize your list by subject, time-sensitive tasks, or any other way that makes you feel organized. When you feel organized, it is a lot easier to keep track of time and plan how best to use your time. Another time management tip is to always give yourself extra time before you need to be somewhere, whether that is work, class, or meeting up with friends and family. If you give yourself an extra 15 minutes, you leave time for something to go wrong, which is inevitable. Approaching your schedule this way can help alleviate some anxiety you may feel when you are running late or rushing from one task to the next! I am happy to chat more and help you find an organizational system that keeps you on track!

What are the most important factors in my college application?

Though the landscape of college applications is changing with the pandemic, grades, test scores, personal and diversity statements, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities are still the most important pieces of your college application. Admissions committees want to see a well-rounded individual who will be an asset and an ambassador for their institutions. The best way to achieve this is to start early, volunteer with organizations and clubs that interest you, and keep your grades as high as you can throughout high school. I am happy to offer this type of advice and more in a format that best suits your needs!