Employment-ready graduates with polished professional profiles
Resume · Cover Letter · LinkedIn · GitHub · Elevator Pitch · Interview Prep
Azari AI · GitHub Pages · Google Docs · LinkedIn · Calendly · Google Drive
📅 Daily Schedule Constants
(1 hr)
(15 min)
(15 min)
These apply to every class day.
Not repeated in weekly schedules.
Not repeated in weekly schedules.
Weekly Curriculum
WEEK 01
Orientation & Account Setup Day
Setting the foundation — who you are becoming professionally
Course Introduction ~1 hr
- Welcome & course overview — what this PD class is and why it matters for employment
- Walk through the full program: resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn, GitHub, elevator pitches, interview prep
- Introduce the Class Excel Tracker — students submit all deliverable links here: 📊 Class Tracker Sheet ← add your link
- Set expectations: every assignment directly supports their real job search
Introduction to Azari AI — Per Scholas AI System ~30 min
- What is Azari AI? Azari AI is Per Scholas's integrated AI assistant — a tool built to support students throughout the program with writing, research, and career prep tasks
- How it works at a high level: Azari AI is a chat-based AI — you type instructions (called "prompts") and it generates text responses. Think of it as a knowledgeable assistant that can draft, rewrite, explain, and brainstorm on demand
- What students will use it for in this class: rewriting resumes, drafting cover letters, generating their GitHub portfolio page HTML, and preparing interview answers
- What it is NOT: Azari AI is not a search engine, it doesn't browse the internet in real time, and it is not a replacement for the student's own voice, judgment, or experience — everything it produces must be reviewed and personalized
- Access: Teacher walks students through logging into Azari AI and navigating the interface — confirm every student can access it before the session ends
- First prompt exercise: Have each student type: "Hello, I am a Cybersecurity AI student at Per Scholas. In one paragraph, describe what a SOC Analyst does." — this introduces the prompt concept and sparks discussion about the output quality
💡 Teacher Talking Point Frame Azari AI as a professional tool — the same way a doctor uses software or a designer uses Photoshop. It doesn't do the job for you; it makes you faster and better at the job. Students who learn to use AI well will have a real advantage in the job market. Students who let it think for them entirely will be caught unprepared in interviews.
📌 Note for Teacher If students will not use Azari AI until Week 2, this session is still valuable as orientation — they will know what to expect and won't lose time troubleshooting access next class. Make sure every student has their Azari AI login confirmed today.
Account Setup Lab ~3 hrs
- GitHub: Create account with a professional username, fill out bio, upload headshot; intro to GitHub Pages concept
- LinkedIn: Create or claim account; upload headshot, write headline, set location and "Open to Work"
- Google Drive Access: Confirm all students can open the class shared folder — 📁 Class Drive Folder ← add your link
- Open the tracker and have each student submit their name + LinkedIn URL to confirm access
🔧 Teacher Tip Pre-load a Google Doc with step-by-step screenshots for each platform so students can self-pace. Circulate to help anyone stuck on email verification.
Original Resume Upload ~30 min
- Students upload their current resume to the class Google Drive folder and paste the link into the tracker under "Original Resume"
- Students with no resume complete the intake form instead — share the link verbally and in class chat:
📋 Using Google Forms (Recommended) You created a unique Google Form for this cohort during setup. Share that link here — it goes only to your account and cannot be accessed by other teachers or cohorts.Your Cohort's Intake Form Link → 📝 No-Resume Intake Form ← paste your Google Form link hereNot set up yet? See the Teacher Setup Guide → Step 3 at the bottom of this document for full instructions.Alternative — Open Reference Form (local use only)View only — not for collecting submissions
- Form captures: full name, work history, education, certifications, and top skills. Teacher uses responses to help build a first draft in Week 2.
Wrap-Up & Homework ~30 min
📋 Homework — Due Before Week 2
Research and choose 3 career paths in that interest you. For each, write 2–3 sentences: what the role does, average salary, and why it appeals to you. Submit in the tracker under "3 Career Paths."
WEEK 02
AI-Powered Resume + Cover Letter + GitHub Portfolio
Using AI as a career collaborator — not a shortcut
AI Prompt Instruction — Azari AI ~1.5 hrs
- Introduce Azari AI — show the interface, explain the chat-based prompt model
- Teach effective prompt structure: Role + Task + Context + Format
- Explain ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems): keyword matching, formatting do's and don'ts
- Demo live: paste a sample resume, show a weak vs. strong prompt and compare outputs side by side
"You are a professional resume writer who specializes in tech and cybersecurity roles. I am a student who just completed a Cybersecurity AI program at Per Scholas. I want to apply for a [SOC Analyst / IT Support / Cybersecurity Analyst] position. Here is my current resume: [paste full resume text]. Please rewrite it to be ATS-friendly with strong action verbs, measurable results where possible, and keywords that match the job title I mentioned. Keep the format clean — no tables, no columns, no graphics. Return only the updated resume text."
💡 For Non-Tech-Savvy Teachers Think of Azari AI like a knowledgeable assistant. The prompt above is just instructions written in plain English. Fill in the blanks highlighted in orange, paste the student's resume, and hit send. You don't need to know anything about coding. Read the result and ask it to make changes, just like giving feedback to a person.
⚠️ Key Teaching Point AI drafts are a starting point, not a final product. Students must review, personalize, and fact-check every output — employers will ask about everything on the resume in interviews.
Resume Workshop Lab ~2 hrs
- Students open Azari AI and paste their original resume + one of their 3 chosen program career paths as context
- Craft a tailored prompt to rewrite the resume for that role — ATS-optimized, strong action verbs, quantified achievements
- Students with no prior resume use their intake form responses as input — teacher helps them build the prompt
- Save polished resume as a Google Doc; paste link into the tracker under "Updated Resume"
Cover Letter with AI ~1 hr
- Students use AI to generate a cover letter — prompt must include: target role, company type, 2–3 specific skills, and personal "why"
- Edit for authenticity — it should sound like them, not a robot
- Save as Google Doc; submit link to tracker under "Cover Letter"
AI-Generated GitHub Portfolio Page ~1–1.5 hrs
- Intro to GitHub Pages — free portfolio hosting tied to their GitHub account; students create a repo named exactly
username.github.io - Students use any AI tool of their choice (Azari AI, ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, etc.) to generate a complete, styled
index.htmlportfolio page — no coding knowledge required
🎓 Example Portfolios from Previous Cohorts
Share 2–3 live GitHub Pages links from past students who gave permission. Show them side by side to demonstrate what a strong portfolio looks like.
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
⚠️ Only share portfolios from students who have explicitly given written or verbal permission. Ask at the end of each cohort.
AI Personalization — Color & Style Choices
- Before prompting, have students decide: What colors represent them professionally? (e.g. navy & gold, dark green & white, charcoal & orange). This goes into the prompt.
- Teach students to describe the vibe they want: "clean and minimal," "bold and modern," "professional and dark" — the AI will match it
"Generate a complete, professional single-page HTML portfolio for a Cybersecurity AI student. Include:
1. An About Me section with name, background, and career goal
2. A Packet Tracer project showcase titled '[project name]' — describe what it is, what technologies were used, what the student built and learned
3. A section showing a screenshot of the project (the image will be added separately — use a placeholder <img> tag with src='packet_tracer_screenshot.png')
4. A skills section listing: [student's skills]
5. Links to LinkedIn: [URL] and GitHub: [URL]
Use a [color scheme e.g. dark navy background with teal accents and white text] color scheme.
All CSS inside a <style> tag — no external files or frameworks. Return only the complete HTML."
How to Upload Packet Tracer Screenshots
- Take the screenshot: In Packet Tracer, use File → Export Image, or use your computer's screenshot tool (Windows: Snipping Tool, Mac: Cmd+Shift+4). Save as PNG.
- Name the file clearly: e.g.
network_topology.pngorfirstname_PacketTracer.png - Upload to GitHub: In the repository, click "Add file → Upload files" → drag in the screenshot → commit. The image is now hosted at
https://username.github.io/filename.png - Reference in the HTML: Update the
<img src="packet_tracer_screenshot.png">tag to match the uploaded filename - Add a caption/description: Below the image, students write 2–3 sentences: what the topology shows, what protocols were configured, and what they learned from building it. This is what employers actually read.
Independent Work Time (~1 hr)
- Students prompt their AI tool of choice, paste the output into
index.htmlin their GitHub repo, and push - Upload Packet Tracer screenshot to the repo and update the image tag
- Review live page at
https://username.github.io— make at least one personalization edit (change a color, update the bio wording, add a second skill) - Teacher circulates (or drops into Zoom rooms) to check that pages are live and help with any errors
- Submit GitHub Pages URL in the tracker under "GitHub Portfolio"
🔧 Teacher Demo (do this before lab time) Spend 5–7 minutes live: open Azari AI → paste a sample prompt with a color choice and project name → copy the output → create index.html in a demo GitHub repo → push → show the live URL. Students need to see the whole loop once before they start.
⚠️ If the Page Shows Blank or 404 Add a file named
.nojekyll (empty, no content) to the repository. This tells GitHub to skip its Jekyll build and serve HTML directly. Full instructions are in the Teacher Setup Guide at the bottom of this document.End-of-Week Check + Calendly Announcement ~30 min
- All three deliverables (Updated Resume, Cover Letter, GitHub URL) in the tracker by end of this week
- Announce 1:1 sign-ups: "I'll be doing individual resume reviews during Week 3. Use my scheduling link to grab a -minute slot — link is in the class chat."
WEEK 03
Elevator Pitches, GitHub Polish & 1:1 Resume Reviews
Your story in 60 seconds — and the portfolio to back it up
~1 hr
Instruction Elevator Pitch Formula — Who you are → What you do → What you want. Common mistakes. Students draft individually.
🤖 How to Build Your Pitch Using Your Resume + AI
Students don't need to write their pitch from scratch. Walk them through this 3-step process:
- Pull your highlights from your resume: Look at your top 2–3 skills, your most relevant experience or project, and the role you're targeting. These are your raw ingredients.
- Feed it to AI: Open Azari AI (or any AI tool) and use the prompt below to generate a first draft.
- Personalize it: Read the output out loud. Edit anything that doesn't sound like you — swap in your real words, add your genuine reason for going into this field, and cut anything that feels generic.
EXAMPLE PROMPT — ELEVATOR PITCH FROM RESUME
"I'm a [Cybersecurity AI] student at Per Scholas about to graduate. Here is a summary of my background: [paste your resume summary or top 3–4 bullet points]. I am targeting roles as a [SOC Analyst / IT Support Specialist / Cybersecurity Analyst]. Write me a professional 30–60 second elevator pitch. Keep it natural and conversational — it should sound like a person speaking, not a formal cover letter. End with a clear statement of what I'm looking for."
💡 Tip: Run the prompt twice and compare the two drafts. Have students take the best parts from each and combine them into their final pitch.
~1 hr
Instruction Teacher Lecture — Pitch Delivery & Body Language: How to open strong (name, role, goal — not "Um, so I'm…"), managing nerves, pace and pausing for effect, eye contact on camera vs. in person, how to close with a clear ask. Teacher models a strong pitch and a weak pitch back-to-back — class identifies what made the difference.
~1 hr
Lab Pitch Practice Session — Teacher selects the format that best fits the class:
📌 Teacher: Choose Your Session Format
Option A — Full Class Session
Volunteers deliver their pitch in front of the full group. Teacher and class give structured feedback after each. Best for building confidence and modeling high-quality pitches. Works well with smaller cohorts or highly engaged classes.
Volunteers deliver their pitch in front of the full group. Teacher and class give structured feedback after each. Best for building confidence and modeling high-quality pitches. Works well with smaller cohorts or highly engaged classes.
Option B — Small Group Session
Break into groups of 3–5. Each student pitches once; the group gives one-line feedback (one strength, one improvement). Teacher rotates between groups. Good for lower-pressure reps and getting everyone a turn.
Break into groups of 3–5. Each student pitches once; the group gives one-line feedback (one strength, one improvement). Teacher rotates between groups. Good for lower-pressure reps and getting everyone a turn.
Option C — Self-Led (Record & Review)
Students record their pitch on their phone or computer (Loom, phone camera, or Zoom self-recording), watch it back, and note 1 thing to improve. Submit the recording link in the tracker. Teacher watches asynchronously and leaves a short comment. Best when 1:1 time is limited.
Students record their pitch on their phone or computer (Loom, phone camera, or Zoom self-recording), watch it back, and note 1 thing to improve. Submit the recording link in the tracker. Teacher watches asynchronously and leaves a short comment. Best when 1:1 time is limited.
Option D — 1:1 Peer-to-Peer
Students pair up. Each partner delivers their pitch while the other uses the feedback guide (clarity, confidence, timing, clear ask). Then switch. Teacher circulates for spot checks. Frees up all teacher time for 1:1 resume reviews while students stay engaged and productive.
Students pair up. Each partner delivers their pitch while the other uses the feedback guide (clarity, confidence, timing, clear ask). Then switch. Teacher circulates for spot checks. Frees up all teacher time for 1:1 resume reviews while students stay engaged and productive.
💡 Option D is recommended when you have a full 1:1 review queue — it keeps the class working independently while you focus on individual feedback.
~1 hr
Lab GitHub update: add "About Me" with elevator pitch, improve Packet Tracer page, add a second project if available
~3 hrs
1:1 Reviews Teacher pulls students one at a time for Resume & cover letter reviews via Calendly sign-up (duration per teacher's setting). Class works independently on pitch practice or GitHub updates.
📅 1:1 Scheduling Students should have already signed up via Calendly. If anyone didn't, have them book on the spot. Keep reviews focused: resume relevance, ATS keywords, cover letter voice. Students take notes and update docs during the session.
WEEK 04
LinkedIn Optimization + Alumni Speaker
Building your professional network before you need it
~1 hr
Instruction LinkedIn Overview & AI Optimization: Why LinkedIn matters for job searching, how recruiters use it, and how to use AI to write a stronger profile. Teach the headline formula, summary (About) section, "Open to Work" settings, and skills/endorsements.
~45 min
AI Lab — Profile Optimization Students use Azari AI (or any AI tool) to rewrite their LinkedIn headline and About section. Sample prompt: "Act as a LinkedIn career coach. Rewrite my LinkedIn headline and About section for a Cybersecurity AI graduate looking for a SOC Analyst or IT Support role. My background: [paste resume summary]. Make it keyword-rich, professional, and under 200 words for the About section." Students paste output directly into LinkedIn and edit for their voice.
~45 min
Alumni Speaker Cybersecurity professional shares their job search journey, what employers look for, and tips for breaking in. Q&A session.
~45 min
Instruction LinkedIn Strategy — Presence, Engagement & Peer Network:
- Maintaining a professional presence through posting: Explain that recruiters look at activity, not just profiles. A student who posts once a week — sharing what they learned, a project update, or a relevant article — signals engagement, initiative, and growth mindset to any recruiter who visits their profile. Students don't need to go viral; they need to be consistently visible.
- Using LinkedIn "Schedule Later": Show students how to write a post → click the clock icon next to the Post button → select a future date and time → Schedule. This allows them to batch-create content in one sitting and have it publish throughout the week automatically. Recommended: 1–2 posts per week minimum while job searching.
🤖 Using AI for Batch Content Creation AI tools can be a practical asset when batch-creating LinkedIn posts — students can prompt a tool like Azari AI or ChatGPT to generate a week's worth of post drafts in one session, covering topics like what they're learning, a project milestone, or a reflection on breaking into the field. This is a legitimate and efficient use of AI in a professional context.
However, students must review and rewrite every AI-generated draft in their own voice before scheduling. AI outputs tend to follow predictable patterns — overly polished phrasing, generic enthusiasm, and sentence structures that experienced professionals recognize immediately as machine-generated. A post that reads as inauthentic can quietly undermine the credibility a student is working to build.
The standard to set: Every post should pass a simple read-aloud test — if a student reads it out loud and it doesn't sound like something they would actually say, it needs to be rewritten. The goal is content that reflects their real perspective, in their real voice, supported by AI — not replaced by it. - Strategic engagement on relevant content: Thoughtful comments on posts from industry professionals, potential employers, or cybersecurity thought leaders significantly increase profile visibility. Teach students that a well-crafted, substantive comment — adding perspective, asking a meaningful question, or sharing a relevant experience — can reach an entirely new audience and demonstrate professional communication skills to anyone who sees it.
- Connecting with class peers: Encourage students to connect with every classmate now. Their peers are their first professional network. Someone in this cohort may refer them to a job, co-sign a skill, or become a future colleague. A warm network built now is more valuable than cold outreach later.
- How LinkedIn Recommendations work: A Recommendation is a written endorsement that appears directly on a student's profile. It carries more weight than skill endorsements because it requires someone to write something personal and specific. Students can request a recommendation by going to a connection's profile → More → Recommend. They should give the person context: what project to mention, what skills to highlight. Encourage students to request at least one recommendation — from a peer, instructor, or manager — before graduation.
~1 hr
Lab Students complete and activate their profiles:
- Add GitHub Pages URL under Contact Info → Website, labeled "Portfolio"
- Add resume to Featured section as a Google Drive link
- Draft and schedule their first LinkedIn post using "Schedule Later" — topic: what they're learning in the program or why they chose cybersecurity
- Leave a thoughtful comment on at least one post in their feed from a professional or company in their target field
- Connect with every classmate in the cohort with a personalized note
- Request one recommendation from a peer or instructor — teacher models how to write the request message
🎓 Alumni Speaker Setup Coordinate with Per Scholas Workforce Development at least 2 weeks in advance. Ideal speaker: alumni who completed a cybersecurity program and is now employed. Format: 30-min talk + 30-min Q&A. Virtual via Zoom is fine.
💡 Posting Tip for Teacher If students struggle with what to post, suggest these starter formats: (1) "This week I learned how to [X] in my cybersecurity program — here's what surprised me." (2) "I just completed [project/lab] — here's what I built and what I'd do differently." (3) Share an article about a cybersecurity trend with a 2-sentence personal reaction. Any of these takes under 5 minutes to write and demonstrates active learning to recruiters.
WEEK 05
WFD Meeting + Interview Types + Practice + Breakout Rooms
Understanding the interview landscape — and surviving both kinds
Per Scholas Workforce Development Visit ~1.5 hrs
~1.5 hrs
WFD Meeting Per Scholas Workforce Development team presents: job placement support, active employer partners, upcoming hiring events, and how to engage with WFD post-graduation.
🏢 WFD Coordination Reach out to the Per Scholas WFD team at least 3 weeks before Week 5. Ask them to bring: a list of active employer partners, any upcoming job fairs or hiring events, and how students should contact them going forward.
Confirm backup availability at least 1 week before Week 5.
Job Tracker Intro ~30 min
- Introduce the pre-built Job Tracker Sheet — walk through every column: Company, Job Title, Date Applied, Application Link, Contact, Status, Follow-Up Date, Notes
- Share the link and have students enter 3 real job postings they found this week to start their tracker
📊 Example Job Tracker — exampleJobTracker
⬇ Download a Copy
📁 How to Save Your Own Copy — Do Not Edit the Original
- Click ⬇ Download a Copy above. The file will download to your computer as
exampleJobTracker.xlsx. - Open the downloaded file in Excel. ⚠️ Do not make any changes yet. The file is still the original — any edits here will overwrite it directly.
- Go to File → Save As and choose a new location on your computer or OneDrive.
- Rename the file for your cohort — e.g.
JobTracker_CyberAI_Spring2025.xlsx - Click Save. You are now working in your own copy — the original example file is untouched.
- Share your renamed copy with students via a new OneDrive or Google Drive link. Never share the original download link as the student submission tracker.
- When sharing with students: Instruct them to follow the same steps — click their link, use File → Save As immediately to save their own personal copy before entering any data. ⚠️ Students who skip this step and type directly into the shared link will overwrite the class copy for everyone.
🔒 Student Data & PII — Security Notice
Student job application data — including company names, contacts, application status, and follow-up notes — constitutes personally identifiable information (PII) in a professional context. To protect student privacy and limit your own data exposure:
- Students should maintain their own individual copy of the tracker — do not collect or store a version that contains all students' combined application data on your personal device.
- If you need to review a student's tracker, have them share their personal copy with you directly and revoke access after the review — do not save a local copy.
- The shared class tracker should be used for submission links and status confirmations only — not for detailed application data.
- When the cohort ends, remind students to set their shared tracker links back to private so their job search activity is not publicly accessible.
Teacher-Led: Regular vs. Tech Interviews ~1 hr
Short teacher-led session explaining the key differences so students know what to expect and how to prepare for each type.
✅ Regular / Behavioral Interview
- Focuses on soft skills, personality, and past experience
- Questions like: "Tell me about yourself," "Describe a challenge you overcame"
- Best answered with the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
- Goal: Can you work with people? Are you reliable? Do you fit the culture?
- Dress, eye contact, and body language matter a lot
- Every job has this type — it's always the first filter
💻 Technical Interview (Cybersecurity)
- Tests your actual knowledge and how you think through problems
- Questions like: "What is a firewall?" or "Walk me through how you'd respond to a phishing alert"
- You may be asked to explain a tool, a process, or a scenario in real time
- Goal: Do you know the material? Can you apply it under pressure?
- Thinking out loud is expected — silence is not. Say what you're considering.
- Your GitHub portfolio and resume projects may come up directly
💡 Teacher Talking Point Emphasize: most cybersecurity interviews have BOTH types — often on the same day. A phone screen might be behavioral, then an in-person or second round will test technical skills. Students need to prep for both. Being great with people won't save you if you can't answer what a VPN does — and knowing every tool won't help if you seem difficult to work with.
📚 Teacher Reference Materials — Interview Prep
Use these documents to prepare your lecture, pull example questions, and build your own interview question guide for students. Both are for teacher use — share selectively with students at your discretion.
The PDF covers 100+ technical cybersecurity questions with full answers across two chapters — use it to select questions for your class handout and to anticipate what students may face in real interviews. The Strategy Guide covers behavioral interview frameworks and preparation techniques.
Interview Q&A Practice — Full Class ~1 hr
- Teacher leads a full-class practice round: ask 3–4 questions from the Interview Question Guide (2 behavioral, 2 technical)
- Volunteers answer live — teacher models how to give constructive public feedback (what was strong, what to sharpen)
- Discuss the difference between a polished answer and an unprepared one using real examples from the room
- Students write down 2 behavioral and 2 technical answers in their notes before breakout rooms begin
📄 Interview Question Guide Prepare a handout (or Google Doc link) with 10 questions: 5 behavioral and 5 technical. Share with students before breakout rooms. Example behavioral: "Tell me about a time you had to learn something quickly." Example technical: "You notice unusual outbound traffic from a workstation at 2am — walk me through your response." Students use this as the interviewer script during breakout rooms.
📄 Interview Question Guide ← add your link
📄 Interview Question Guide ← add your link
Zoom Breakout Room Practice ~45 min
- Teacher assigns students to groups of 3–4 and opens Zoom breakout rooms
- One student acts as interviewer using the Question Guide; others answer one at a time
- Rotate once so at least two students get a turn as interviewer
- After each answer: one strength, one improvement — keep feedback tight
🖥️ Zoom Breakout Setup Pre-assign rooms in the Participants panel. Aim for groups of 3–4. Set a timer — Zoom will broadcast the countdown. Use "Broadcast message" for check-ins without entering every room.
Debrief & Homework ~1 hr
- Full class debrief: What felt hard? What surprised you? What will you do differently?
- Teacher highlights 2–3 standout moments from breakout rooms (positive examples)
📹 Homework — Elevator Pitch Video — Due Before Week 6
Record yourself delivering your elevator pitch. Target: under 1 minute (a maximum of 2 minutes is allowed). Film on your phone or computer camera — find a quiet spot with good lighting, dress professionally, look at the camera. You may do as many takes as you like, but submit your best one. Upload your video using the secure link below and paste the shareable link into the Class Tracker under "Elevator Pitch Video."
Secure Upload Options (see Teacher Notes below for setup):
🎥 Video Upload Folder ← add your link
Secure Upload Options (see Teacher Notes below for setup):
🎥 Video Upload Folder ← add your link
📹 Secure Video Upload — Options for Teachers
🔒 Privacy Note Whichever platform you choose, remind students their video is only shared with you (the teacher) — it will not be posted publicly or shared without their permission. Google Drive Contributor access means students cannot see each other's uploads. Loom unlisted links are not searchable on the internet.
WEEK 06
Technical Interview Prep + Alumni Panel
Thinking out loud in a technical interview — it's a skill, not a test
~30 min
Video Review Teacher plays 2–3 volunteer elevator pitch videos from the HW. Class gives structured feedback: clarity, confidence, timing, eye contact.
~1.5 hrs
Instruction Advanced technical interview prep: scenario-based questions, how to handle questions you don't know, using your GitHub projects as proof of skill
~1 hr
Lab Students write out answers to 5 technical Cybersecurity questions. Peer review: partner reads and gives feedback on clarity and completeness.
~1.5 hrs
Alumni Panel 2–3 alumni working in Cybersecurity/IT answer student questions live. Focus: what the real interview process was like and what they wish they knew.
~1 hr
Job Tracker Students update Job Tracker with new applications, follow-ups, and status changes. Teacher reviews tracker progress.
~1.5 hrs
Lab Final resume & LinkedIn polish before mock interviews next week. Peer review both before class ends.
🎓 Alumni Panel Tips Aim for 2–3 panelists with different roles. Brief them: 5-minute intro each, then open Q&A. Post a student question-collection Google Doc the day before so students come prepared with questions.
WEEK 07
Recruiter Speaker + Mock Interviews + Job Search Strategy
Hear it from someone who hires — then practice like it's real
~30 min
Briefing Mock interview format: 15-min rounds, professional dress encouraged, camera on. Feedback rubric distributed to all students via Zoom chat.
~1.5 hrs
Recruiter / Alumni Speaker Guest speaker joins via Zoom — a recruiter who hires in cybersecurity and/or a Per Scholas alumni working in the field. Topics: what recruiters actually look for, resume red flags, what to say and avoid in interviews, how they found their role. Live Q&A with students.
~45–60 min
Mock Interviews Zoom breakout rooms: paired mock interviews using the Question Guide. Rotate roles once. Written peer feedback after each round. Teacher drops into rooms to observe.
~1 hr
Debrief Full class debrief: what the speaker shared that surprised you, common struggles from mock interviews, standout moments, teacher tips.
~1 hr
Lab Job search strategy: where to find Cybersecurity jobs (LinkedIn, Indeed, Dice, CyberSN, USAJobs), how to read a job posting, how and when to follow up after applying.
🎙️ Week 7 Speaker Coordination Aim to invite at least one recruiter who actively hires in cybersecurity or IT, plus optionally a Per Scholas alumni currently working in the field. Having both gives students the employer's perspective AND the "someone who was just where I am" perspective — which is extremely motivating this close to graduation. Reach out at least 3 weeks in advance. Format: ~20-min talk + ~25-min live Q&A via Zoom. Ask the recruiter to cover: what they look for in a resume in the first 10 seconds, most common interview mistakes, and one tip they wish every candidate knew.
WEEK 08
Capstone Presentations + Celebration
You are ready. This is the proof.
~30 min
Briefing Capstone format: each student delivers elevator pitch, walks through GitHub portfolio, and answers 2 interview questions from the teacher or panel.
~3 hrs
Capstone Students present one at a time (~8–10 min each). Audience gives written affirmations. Teacher gives final verbal feedback to each student.
~1 hr
WFD Check-In Per Scholas Workforce Development joins — reviews job tracker progress, connects active job seekers to employer pipelines, answers post-graduation questions.
~1 hr
Final Submissions All tracker links due: final resume, cover letter, GitHub URL, LinkedIn URL, Elevator Pitch Video, Job Tracker with at least 5 entries.
~1.5 hrs
Celebration Recognize milestones, share next steps (WFD check-ins, alumni network), group photo, closing words.
🏆 Capstone Invite Consider inviting the Per Scholas site director, main course instructor, and 1–2 alumni to observe. Coordinate at least 2 weeks in advance.
Platform & Tools Reference
📋
Job Tracker Sheet
Pre-built Excel sheet for tracking applications from Week 5 onward.
← Add your link1:1 Scheduling — Tool Recommendation
📅 Recommended: Calendly for Student 1:1 Booking
Students self-schedule resume review slots for Week 3 (duration set by teacher). The right tool shows your real availability, lets students book instantly, and auto-adds to your calendar with no back-and-forth.
Calendly ⭐ Recommended
Create a free "15-Min Resume Review" event, set available windows during Week 3, share the link. Students pick a slot — confirmation auto-emails both of you and adds to your calendar. No app needed for students.
Free tier · calendly.com
Microsoft Bookings
Good if your school uses Microsoft 365. Syncs with Outlook. Solid for institutional environments.
Included with M365 · bookings.microsoft.com
Google Appointment Scheduling
Built into Google Calendar (Workspace). Share a booking link; students pick open slots. Auto-added to Google Calendar.
Free with Google Workspace
Doodle
Better for group time-polling than individual booking. Less automated — you'd still create calendar events manually.
Free tier · doodle.com
🎯 How to Roll It Out End of Week 2: "Sign up for your 1:1 slot using this link — [Calendly URL]. Pick any open slot within the duration set by your instructor. You'll get a confirmation email. Come with your resume pulled up." Write the link on the board and post it in the class chat.
File Naming & Submission Standards
Teacher Setup Guide — Before Week 1
📊 How to Set Up Google Drive, Class Tracker, Intake Form & Job Tracker
1
Create the Class Shared Folder Go to drive.google.com → New → Folder → name it "Per Scholas PD — [Cohort Name] — [Your Name]" (e.g. "Per Scholas PD — CyberAI Spring 2025 — J. Rivera"). Right-click → Share → "Anyone with the link can edit" → copy the link. This is your Google Drive Folder link. The cohort name in the folder title keeps it separate from every other teacher's folder.
2
Create the Class Excel Tracker Inside the folder, click New → Google Sheets. Name it "Class Submission Tracker — [Cohort Name]." Add column headers: Student Name, LinkedIn URL, Original Resume, Updated Resume, Cover Letter, GitHub Portfolio, 3 Career Paths, Elevator Pitch Video, Job Tracker Link. Share with "Anyone with link can edit" → copy link. This is your Class Tracker link.
3
Create the No-Resume Intake Form (one per cohort — private to you)
This form is unique to your cohort. Because it lives in your Google account and only you receive the responses, students from other classes cannot submit to it, and other teachers cannot see your submissions.
How to build it:
This form is unique to your cohort. Because it lives in your Google account and only you receive the responses, students from other classes cannot submit to it, and other teachers cannot see your submissions.
How to build it:
- Go to forms.google.com → click the + to create a new blank form
- Title it: "No-Resume Intake — [Cohort Name] — [Your Name]" — e.g. "No-Resume Intake — CyberAI Spring 2025 — J. Rivera." This title is private; students only see the form, not the title on the backend.
- Add the following questions using the field types shown:
Add these fields in order:
Full Name Short answer · Mark required Email Address Short answer · Mark required Phone Number Short answer City & State Short answer What type of role are you looking for? Dropdown · Mark required Previous Work Experience Paragraph — include job title, employer, dates, duties Education Paragraph — school, degree/diploma, year Certifications or Courses Completed Paragraph Top 5 Skills Paragraph Anything else we should know? Paragraph — languages, projects, awards, military - Click the Send button (top right) → select the link icon → check "Shorten URL" → click Copy. This is your No-Resume Form link — unique to your cohort. Paste it in your class chat on Day 1.
- To view responses: click the Responses tab at the top of your form → click the green Sheets icon to open them in Google Sheets. Only you can see this sheet unless you share it with someone. Responses are stored in your Google account permanently.
- Paste the form link into the red placeholder in this plan under Week 1 → Original Resume Upload section.
🔒 Why This is Secure
Each teacher creates their own form from their own Google account. The form link is unique — it cannot be guessed and is not connected to any other teacher's form. Responses go only to the form owner's account. Students from other cohorts cannot accidentally submit to your form unless you share your specific link with them. No cross-contamination between classes or teachers.
4
Create the Job Tracker Sheet Create another Google Sheet named "Job Application Tracker — [Cohort Name]." Add headers: Company Name, Job Title, Job Posting URL, Date Applied, Contact Name/Email, Status (Applied / Phone Screen / Interview / Offer / Rejected), Follow-Up Date, Notes. Share with edit access → copy link. This is your Job Tracker link — share with students in Week 5.
5
Create the Video Upload Folder Inside your class Drive folder, click New → Folder → name it "Elevator Pitch Videos." Right-click → Share → "Anyone with the link" → set role to Contributor (students can upload but cannot see each other's files) → copy link. This is your Video Upload link — share it as the Week 5 homework submission link.
6
Update All Placeholders in This Document Replace every red placeholder button in this plan with your real links: Class Tracker, Drive Folder, No-Resume Form (your cohort's unique Google Form link), Job Tracker, Video Upload Folder, and Interview Question Guide. You're done with Google setup.
💼 LinkedIn Setup — Student Guidance Cheat Sheet
1
Create or Log In Go to linkedin.com → click "Join now." Use a personal email that won't expire. If they already have an account, log in and review it.
2
Upload a Professional Photo Click the profile picture circle → upload a clear headshot (face visible, neutral background, business casual). No selfies, group photos, or blurry images.
3
Write a Strong Headline Format: Role You Want | Key Skill | "Open to Opportunities". Example: "Aspiring SOC Analyst | Network Security | Cybersecurity AI Graduate | Open to Opportunities."
4
Set "Open to Work" Click "Open to" under your photo → "Finding a new job" → add job titles (SOC Analyst, IT Support, Cybersecurity Analyst) → set to "All LinkedIn Members."
5
Fill Out the Summary (About) 3–4 sentences: who you are, what you studied, key skills, what you're looking for. Students can use AI to draft this from their resume.
6
Add Experience, Education & Skills Mirror their updated resume. Add Per Scholas under education and the Cybersecurity AI program. Add at least 10 skills — these are searchable by recruiters.
7
Add GitHub Portfolio Link Go to Contact info → Edit → Add website → paste their GitHub Pages URL. Label it "Portfolio."
🐙 GitHub & GitHub Pages — Step-by-Step Setup
1
Create a GitHub Account Go to github.com → click "Sign up." Choose a professional username — it appears in the portfolio URL. Example: JaneDoe-Cyber or johnsmith-it. Use a personal email.
2
Fill Out the Profile Click profile icon → "Your profile" → "Edit profile." Add name, bio ("Cybersecurity AI graduate | Network Security | Per Scholas"), location, and LinkedIn URL.
3
Create the Portfolio Repository Click the + icon → "New repository." Name it exactly:
yourusername.github.io (must match the GitHub username exactly). Set to Public. Check "Add a README file." Click "Create repository."4
Add the AI-Generated HTML File Inside the repository, click "Add file → Create new file." Name it
index.html. Paste the AI-generated code into the editor. Scroll down → "Commit changes" → "Commit directly to main branch" → "Commit changes."5
Enable GitHub Pages In the repository, click "Settings" → scroll to "Pages" in the left sidebar → under Source, select "Deploy from a branch" → choose main → click Save. Wait 1–2 minutes. The live URL appears at the top of the Pages settings.
6
Page Not Showing? Add a .nojekyll File If the GitHub Pages site shows a blank page or a 404 error instead of the portfolio, it's because GitHub's default build system (called Jekyll) is interfering with plain HTML files. The fix is simple: add an empty file named
How to add it: Inside the repository on github.com, click Add file → Create new file. In the filename box, type exactly:
What it does: The
.nojekyll to the repository.How to add it: Inside the repository on github.com, click Add file → Create new file. In the filename box, type exactly:
.nojekyll (with the dot at the start, no extension). Leave the file content completely blank. Scroll down → click Commit changes → Commit directly to main branch → Commit changes.What it does: The
.nojekyll file tells GitHub Pages to skip the Jekyll build process and serve the files exactly as uploaded. Without it, GitHub may ignore or misprocess files and folders whose names start with an underscore, which can cause the page to appear broken or blank. Once the file is added, wait 1–2 minutes and reload the live URL — the portfolio should appear.7
Submit the Live URL Copy the live URL (https://username.github.io) and paste into the Class Tracker under "GitHub Portfolio." Test it in a browser first to confirm it's working.