Loading...Activity Overview – Cover Letters and AI
Create three cover letters: AI, Blended, and Human. Have students read through each example, and then vote on which they think is which.
Background
This activity was developed by one of our student workers while we were exploring the use of ChatGPT to develop professional application materials like a cover letter. This activity is fun, engaging, and insightful. Typically, the audience can easily identify the AI created cover letter, but then have trouble choosing which cover letter is Blended with AI and which is Human. This activity showcases the limits of AI, while encouraging its ethical use. It also highlights how one can prompt LLMs effectively.
Activity Setup
- Create a cover letter by prompting ChatGPT once. Make sure to use a good prompt to create a convincing cover letter!
- This is your AI cover letter.
- Create a second cover letter by using both your own words and ChatGPT. Prompt the LLM as many times as you want, and choose what advice you use and don’t use. Think of this as your best effort at utilizing AI to help you write a cover letter.
- This is your Blended cover letter
- Create a third cover letter without the use of any AI
- This is your Human cover letter
- Decide on a method to share the cover letters during class, and a method to allow students to vote.
Conducting Cover Letter Activity In-Class
Show your students each cover letter example and explain there were three methods used to create them, AI, Blended, and Human. Have students vote on which cover letter they think is which. After all votes are collected, share the results, and then share the truth about each cover letter. Lead into a brief discussion about the practicality, and limits, of using AI to create a cover letter.
AI Tools Used
Large Language Model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Gemini
Prep Time Needed
15-30 minutes
Classroom Time Needed
5-10 minutes
Faculty Learning Outcomes
- Learn about best practices related to prompting and re-editing responses from LLMs like ChatGPT and how they can be used to help students with career decisions.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Learn about best practices related to prompting re-editing responses from LLMs like ChatGPT
- Learn how to use an LLM to help you craft an effective cover letter
- Gain a deeper understanding of professionalism, as well as how to use AI ethically to assist with your own career development
Assessment Considerations
None other than requiring participation
Recommended Course Size
Any class size
Student Roles
Vote on which cover letter is which
Instructor Role
Share the cover letters and provide a way for students to vote
Career Services and AI
Career Services is excited to work with university faculty and staff to incorporate career into students’ academic journeys, especially related to AI. We have an AI working group that is centered on the ways AI is impacting student careers, and we’ve hosted workshops, written articles, explored AI tools, and developed several AI CUBT articles. If you are interested in partnering with us on AI, please reach out at Jedamusd@colorado.edu
Check Out Career Services AI Resource Guide!
https://www.colorado.edu/career/job-searching/ai-resource-guide
Coco – Handshake’s AI Career-Copilot
Handshake created Coco, an AI chatbot integrated in the Handshake platform, to help students navigate job searches, profile creation, and all aspects of the platform. Handshake is being beta tested at CU Boulder, which means students have access to the tool.
Read more about Coco here: https://support.joinhandshake.com/hc/en-us/articles/17467074261783-Meet-Coco-Your-AI-Assisted-Career-Guide
Recent AI Career Services CUBT Articles
How Grad Students Can Use AI in the Job Search Process https://www.colorado.edu/career/2023/11/01/how-grad-students-can-use-ai-job-search-process
4 Ways to Use AI in Your Job Search https://www.colorado.edu/career/2023/11/01/4-ways-use-ai-your-job-search
