AI and Your Career Journey: Balancing Innovation with Integrity

Get started using AI tools ethically and effectively to explore careers, build job materials, and prepare for your future with confidence.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a bigger part of our everyday lives. According to a 2024 survey, 86% of students reported having used AI in their studies. AI use in the classroom is part of a march larger and evolving conversation about how to use AI ethically in academic settings, where understanding your instructors’ policies and developing your own critical thinking and writing skills are essential. But outside the classroom, AI is also becoming a key part of the workplace. As AI tools continue to grow and evolve, employers are increasingly looking for job candidates who are comfortable using these technologies thoughtfully and effectively. That’s why now is a great time to start building your knowledge of AI: not just how to use it, but how to use it responsibly. 

When it comes to your career development, using AI ethically means treating it as a support tool, not a shortcut. For example, it can be tempting to let AI write your resume or cover letter for you, but doing that misses the point. These materials are meant to reflect your unique experiences, voice, and contribution, and AI doesn’t know YOU. AI can help you brainstorm, organize your thoughts, or get past writer’s block, but the final product should be your own. 

Using AI responsibly also means thinking critically about the suggestions it gives you. If an AI tool recommends a certain phrasing or career path, take a moment to ask why. Do you agree with the statement? Does it reflect your values and goals? Does it make sense for your background and interests? AI can be a good conversation partner, but it’s not a substitute for your own judgement.  

While you should never use AI to do your work for you, it can help open you up to new ideas and possibilities. Imagine you are trying to understand whether a certain career path is right for you: you can use an AI tool to describe your strengths, values, and preferences, and ask it to help you understand your fit with various career paths. You can also use AI to research what different jobs actually involve, including summarizing job descriptions, comparing roles, or identifying common skills across fields. This kind of exploration can help you learn about new opportunities to research in order to make informed decisions about your future. 

There’s an important distinction between how you might use AI in your career planning versus in your academic work. In the classroom, your instructors may have specific rules about AI use, including when you should or shouldn’t use it. These policies are important safeguards to help you learn and make the most of your time in class. Even when using AI is allowed, the goal is to support your learning, not replace it. Overrelying on AI in your coursework can prevent you from developing the critical thinking and communication skills that are essential for academic and career success. Always check your course policies, and when in doubt, ask your teacher. Being transparent and intentional about how you use AI is part of being a responsible student. 

Ultimately, AI is just one tool in your career toolkit. It can help you explore, reflect, and prepare. But it’s YOUR curiosity, creativity, and effort that will shape your unique path. By learning how to use AI thoughtfully and ethically, you’ll not only be better prepared for your job search; you’ll also be developing the kind of digital literacy and integrity that employers value.  

Ready to learn more?  

• Start with the MLA Style Center’s Student Guide to AI Literacy. This document, which comes in a printable PDF format, will help you understand best practices in AI use for college students. 
• Watch this space! Future Career Journal articles will explore different AI tools and career-specific ways to use them. 
• Have questions? Contact us: careerservices@parkland.edu