The document describes research conducted through student interviews about the challenges of transitioning from college to work. Key findings include: students find resume preparation, English skills, and prior job experience helpful for seeking work; balancing class schedules with job searching can be difficult; and more opportunities for students and collaboration between companies and schools would help. An empathy map is presented analyzing what students say, do, think and feel. The problem statement identifies the stakeholder as a college student seeking relevant work experience to combine with his studies without neglecting either.

1. Empathize & Define
Assignment

2. 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.

3. Empathy Map
 Sections:
 Say
 Do
 Think and Feel

4. 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”

5. 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.

6.  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

7.  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

8. 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.