App Week: Stepping Into Your Power

TL;DR

Learn how to regain power and agency during the application process and explore the impact of personal narratives and self-awareness.

Transcript

[MUSIC] Welcome. My name is Wil Torres, director of Outreach here at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, and today's topic is stepping into your power. And I think this is something that as we approach the application process or any application process, even when you're applying to jobs, sometimes it can feel like you're putting something out... Read More

Key Insights

• 🎮 The application process can often make us feel powerless, but it is important to regain control and understand that we have agency in shaping our experiences.
• 🥹 The narratives we tell ourselves about ourselves are powerful and can either empower or hold us back. It is crucial to challenge any negative self-perceptions.
• 🧑‍🏭 Social cognitive theory provides valuable insights into human behavior, emphasizing the roles of cognitive, behavioral, and environmental factors.
• 🌱 There is no one-size-fits-all approach to conveying goals and aspirations in the application. Be authentic and honest about your ambitions, while also considering the steps you have taken or plan to take towards them.
• 👋 Connecting all experiences in the application is not necessary. Choose the experiences that best showcase your skills, values, and personal growth.
• 🤳 Showcasing self-awareness and emotional intelligence can be done through specific examples that demonstrate reflection, growth, and impact.
• 🆘 Seek out support systems and communities that can help empower you and provide guidance throughout the application process.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can I overcome feelings of powerlessness during the application process?

Recognize that you have agency and control over your own journey. Explore the narratives you tell yourself and challenge any negative self-perceptions. Seek out support and communities that can help empower you.

Q: How do I balance conveying aspirational goals with feasibility in my application?

There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Be honest about your goals and aspirations, but also consider the steps you have taken or plan to take to work towards them. Highlight your growth mindset and willingness to learn.

Q: Should I try to connect all my experiences to tell a cohesive story in my application?

It is not necessary to connect all your experiences. Choose the experiences that best showcase your skills, values, and personal growth. Focus on demonstrating your impact and why these experiences are important to you.

Q: How can I showcase self-awareness and emotional intelligence in my application?

Share specific examples of times when you demonstrated self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Reflect on your actions and the impact they had. Use storytelling techniques to provide context and showcase your growth.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The application process can often feel overwhelming and lead to feelings of powerlessness. This session focuses on regaining control and understanding how your own stories and self-perceptions shape your experiences.

• The speaker discusses the importance of self-awareness and the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves. These narratives can either empower or hold us back.

• The session introduces an adapted model of social cognitive theory to understand human behavior and motivation. It emphasizes the roles of cognitive, behavioral, and environmental factors in shaping our actions and beliefs.