Empathize & Define

Assignment

Empathy Work

For this assignment I prepared a list of questions for an interview with students about the transition process from college to work and how it impacted their lives.

(Note: The students were from Mexico City)

The main topics for the questions were job seeking, job interviews and the experience from student to worker.

The objective of this interview is to observe the needs and problems students have in this transition process and use this data to make an Empathy Map and craft a problem statement.

Empathy Map

Sections: Say Do Think and Feel

Empathy Map: Say

“Have resume ready.”

“Have good English level.”

“Job Interviews have English conversations.”

“Asked teachers for support with class schedules.”

“Online Job Applications are helpful.”

“First I considered distance and time.”

“Have interest and commitment.”

“It’s hard when you don’t know anyone at work.”

“Had several interviews before getting a job.”

“Knowing nothing at first is normal.”

“There are few job opportunities for students”

“Most jobs ask for previous experience”

Empathy Map: Do

He did the TOEIC exam in college before applying for a job. This was really helpful for his resume and job interviews.

He looked for jobs near his home or school.

He assisted to a course in college concerning to job interviews and resume tips.

He was punctual in all his job interviews and went well-dressed.

Having some courses or information about job seeking is very helpful to succeed in this process.

It’s necessary to know the actual needs and skills job seekers consider to work on them and be well prepared.

Some students give up when they don’t get a job after several interviews, but in this process it’s necessary to be committed and keep trying.

Schools should have more flexible class schedules for students who want or need to work.

Companies and schools should work together to give students the chance to acquire experience for jobs through specific activities.

Empathy Map: Think

There should be more job opportunities for students.

Afraid of not being prepared for a job (knowledge and skills).

Been organized and motivated can make the difference between

getting a job or not.

Uncertain of being in a workplace (new experiences and people).

Wants to learn.

Empathy Map: Feel

Problem Statement

Stakeholder: His name is Mario, he is a college student from Mexico City who is studying the last semester of his career and needs to find a job related to it.

Problem/Need: He needs a way to find a job in which he can gain professional experience and necessary skills in the work environment and combine his studies and job without neglecting any of these.

Insight: Some companies offer the chance to start working in the last semester of the career as a trainee or internship. Previous working experience is not required, they have flexible schedules and sometimes even agreements with universities.