Design Thinking Action Lab

Assignment > Prototype and Test

A. La Fond

August 19, 2013

https://novoed.com/designthinking

PROTOTYPE IDEAS

1. Task Rabbit for Internships (Web site)

Task Rabbit is a US-based online service that

matches people who need small or odd jobs done

with people willing to do those jobs for a small

fee. The Task Rabbit model could be adapted for

internships, instead of the model for full-time

employees. This could help shift the perception of

internships from first jobs in desired fields to

exploratory assignments that may or may not

reflect deeper interests.

2. Work Diaries from Alumni or Coworkers (Web site)

My interview subject said that one of the most

helpful things was watching people work and

learning about what they did. Schools or

companies could create a library of day-in-the-

life, multimedia diaries from people in a wide

range of different jobs. Students could view the

diaries online to get a sense for what kinds of daily

tasks and environments seem the most interesting

to them. The diaries would be created by

volunteers using simple web and phone-based

tools like video, photos, voice notes, and so forth.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Ben, a recent college graduate in his early 20s, who is

starting a career as a knowledge professional,

needs a way to freely try many different kinds of work,

because a fulfilling career is found rather than chosen.

TASK RABBIT FOR INTERNSHIPS (Renamed “Instant Intern”)

Page 1 of 2: Browse or post an internship project

TASK RABBIT FOR INTERNSHIPS

Page 2 of 2: Project detail page

+ What Worked

Project-based approach appeals to students and recent

grads. You get a more cohesive internship. You know

what you’ll be doing. You get to see a project through

versus doing odds and ends.

A project is a clear way to get exposure to a certain

type of job.

Picking on or more topical areas, so interns can pick a

project related to a direction they want to explore.

FEEDBACK ON TASK RABBIT FOR INTERNSHIPS / INSTANT INTERN

Δ What Could Be Improved

Don’t want it to be like a craigslist ad; just another job

posting.

Play up the mentorship part. Make it more personal

between the intern and the hiring manager

• Enable a 1 on 1 sit down to discuss questions, so

interns can find out if it will be valuable experience

• Go out to lunch, like a blind date

• Come in an shadow for a day

! Ideas

Make the internship at least a month, maybe 3 weeks –

enough time to get some experience and exposure to a

job. Other you won’t get as much as you need. A week

is maybe not as valuable

? Questions

It seems pretty clear

WORK DIARIES

Page 1 of 1: Overview of a diary subject and their timeline of content

+ What Worked

Like the idea of it being formatted like Facebook, with a

timeline including video, photo, and text entries.

Lets you see what people do, so you wouldn’t have to

get an internship if you’re not interested in the day-by-

day work.

It’s like an informational interview but formatted for

social media.

FEEDBACK ON WORK DIARIES

Δ What Could Be Improved

Add ability to follow subjects and their diaries over time

Want to see or read about the good and the bad. Tell ,e

what you don’t like. Want the truth. How do you get

people to be candid and open?

! Ideas

Have diary subjects explain how they got from an entry

point in their career to where they are now. How did the

get there? What path did they take? What steps on the

path can others follow?

Use diaries for similar positions at different companies

as a way to understand the culture of a company.

? Questions

How would you get people to be consistent and

committed to posting entries?

How do you get high-quality, thoughtful entries?

What the total time period –

days, weeks, months, years?