AI Skills in the Workplace

Meeting the Challenge of an AI-Infused Job Market

Artificial Intelligence has impacted almost every industry and professional field, especially entry-level jobs that represent the gateway to desirable careers. As baseline tasks are handed over to AI tools, entry-level roles escalate into more complex responsibilities requiring critical thinking, ethical judgement, and strategic decision making. That means the foundational skills developed through a college education will play a more prominent role in the early stages of your career.
 

What AI skills do employers seek?

As employers’ expectations around AI skills continue to evolve, job seekers should consider ways to demonstrate AI competencies. In general, employers want candidates to have:

• A basic understanding of how AI functions
• Fundamental knowledge of AI ethics and governance considerations
• Examples of utilizing AI tools to increase productivity, capacity, or creativity

How do I acquire knowledge of AI?

GW offers a number of opportunities to learn fundamental AI tools.

• Credit-Bearing Courses

  The University lists many courses that address AI topics. Some are open students from any major. 

   

• Workshops

  GW Libraries offer weekly workshops on AI that address appropriate use and impactful applications.

   

• LinkedIn Learning Courses

  GW students have free access to LinkedIn Learning’s wide array of tutorials. Students can choose from introductory to experienced-level courses. The Center for Career Services has created a curated learning pathway that imparts fundamental principles of AI.

How do I demonstrate proficiency with AI skills?

• Coursework - Most majors have dedicated courses or modules that teach discipline-relevant AI skills, ranging from the impact of AI on society to algorithms and effective tool use.

  Faculty may allow or encourage use of AI tools to complete parts of some class projects. These can be documented and included on your resume. Always include the context of the project, how AI tools were used, outcomes of the project, and what was learned.

   

• Activities and Events - Some GW student organizations organize activities and events related to AI topics, including GeorgeHacks, GW AI Policy Accelerator, GW Law AI Forum, GW Coders.

   

• Forage: AI Projects - Forage provides self-paced job simulations designed by major companies. Most take 2–10 hours to complete. Explore AI-focused projects curated for George Washington University students.

   

• Handshake AI Skills Studio - In September 2026, Handshake will launch an AI Skills Studio(PDF) within the regular user interface that provides hands-on, project-based AI training tailored to specific career interest areas. Most projects can be completed within one hour.

How do I demonstrate proficiency with durable skills?

Because of the high volume of applications employers receive, candidates that have rounded out their experiences with additional training and simulated projects have a better chance of standing out. In addition to internships or research projects, consider these options:

• Forage

  The Forage system hosts over 250 job simulation projects of 2-10 hours in duration that were developed in partnership with brand-name corporations. Projects focus on roles across a broad range of fields including consulting, data and analytics, health care, human resources, law, and marketing. Access the full set of Forage simulations.

• LinkedIn Learning

  The Rev Up Your Skills Series curated by the Center for Career Services clusters selected LinkedIn Learning courses around the Career Readiness competencies defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. These include critical thinking, equity and inclusion, leadership, professionalism, technology and data, and teamwork.

• Micro-internships

  Micro-internships offer short-term, paid professional assignments. The GW Center for Career Services has partnered with ​Parker Dewey to facilitate the micro-internship platform connecting GW students and recent graduates with companies in need of support. These paid, short-term opportunities offer professional experience within a limed set of hours.

• On- and Off-Campus Student Employment

  Student employment positions with on-campus departments and selected off-campus employers offer a convenient way to acquire marketable skills in addition to earning part-time income. All student positions have been classified according to the skills utilized in the role. Consider pursing a student job that will accentuate your other core skills.

• Volunteer Experiences

  GW’s Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service integrates community service into the educational experience. The Center provides hundreds of volunteer opportunities that not only contribute to community well-being but also impart practical skills such as problem solving, communication, and organization.

• Student Leadership Roles

  Serving on a student organization executive board is a great way to acquire leadership abilities and demonstrate organizational, communication, and managerial skills. Employers place significant value on experiences that involve responsibility for a group.

Employers are using AI to screen candidates—how do I increase my chances for success?

• Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

  Most large employers use ATS to conduct an initial screening of resumes, primarily matching keywords from the job description with applicants’ materials. Make certain your resume and cover letter explicitly connect your background and interests to the job. Cover letters should be tailored to each organization and address why you have an interest in them in particular. Use SkillsFirst to evaluate how closely your resume aligns with a position you are pursuing.

• Connect Before Applying

  Amplify your visibility by connecting with the employer before you become a candidate. Networking conversations with people who work for the employer provide insights that may not be evident from the job description or website. Referencing those conversations in your application shows you’ve taken extra effort and a have connection to their work, and that people on the inside already know you. Tap the network in GW Career Connect to find alumni connected with employers on your hit list.

How can AI help in my job search?

• Career Exploration

  AI tools like Microsoft Copilot can jump start career exploration by broadening the pathways you might consider, and by directing you to additional sources of information.

• Interview Prep

  Use AI to challenge your thinking: Does this story about an experience from my background convey my skills effectively? What examples from my background make me stand out? Or, use AI to anticipate questions you are likely to field during an interview.

When should I avoid using AI tools?

• Your Work, Your Voice

  Components of the job search that should reflect your own voice or capabilities should not be passed off to AI. You can use AI for feedback on your cover letter, but you shouldn’t simply instruct AI to write a cover letter for you. [Note: Many employers report receiving multiple applications with identical cover letters they recognize were generated by AI—and none of those are ever considered for interviews.]

• Authenticity

  Never use AI during an interview to tell you how to answer a question. This approach leads to failure, usually during the interview. Employers can tell when the answers aren’t really yours.