✨ Activity: Exploring My Community Resource Map
| Site: | RRU Open Educational Resources |
| Course: | Career Management Resources for Professionals |
| Book: | ✨ Activity: Exploring My Community Resource Map |
| Printed by: | Guest user |
| Date: | Tuesday, 1 July 2025, 1:17 AM |
Resource Map
You can Click on any of the shapes in the Map to read more information about each topic.
We encourage you to start at the bottom of the interactive resource map with Exploring My Community (above You Are Here). Then work your way up to the top, and from left to right. There is a logical sequence of activities as you work through them in this way.
Alternately, you can select any of the topics directly in the table of contents to the right.
When you're ready to move on from Exploring My Community Resource Map, continue to Foundation: Exploring My Community - Social Media Guide
Exploring My Community
We focus on three areas for this module:
As you explore this module keep in mind, "Be open" and "Be helpful." As you move forward, ponder the notion of integrating this approach, and ask yourself: how might I bring value to someone?
Play to Your Strengths
Leverage your strengths and preferences to grow your network. Try one approach, reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and adjust accordingly.
To do this well, you need to know your strengths, values, interests, and career goals so you can clearly communicate what makes you unique when meeting others.
Before starting this module, reflect on your past contributions and the impact you’ve made in previous roles.
If you're unsure how to describe your strengths or unique qualities, consider completing the Determining Direction unit.
Become Memorable
Reflect on this quote by Steve Jobs:
“This is a very complicated world, it’s a very noisy world. And we’re not going to get the chance to get people to remember much about us…. So we have to be really clear on what we want them to know about us.” — Steve Jobs (via Garr Reynolds on Twitter)
Reflection Questions:
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What do you typically share about yourself at professional events?
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What do you want people to know about your career and impact?
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What results or successes have you achieved—through roles, team efforts, or projects?
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Are these stories memorable?
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If you’re early in your career, what contributions do you hope to make?
To be memorable, highlight what makes you unique—your strengths, values, interests, and goals.
If you’ve already completed the Personal Assets module in the Determining Direction unit, continue here. Otherwise, consider starting with that module or using the RRU Professional Assets Inventory Workbook (PDF).
Strengths
Use the provided Exploring My Community Worksheet (PDF) to complete the following activity. You could also start your own learning journal, or take notes on your computer.
Activity: List your top 5 Strengths.
Choose one of your strengths and write a short story that portrays this strength.
Story Tips
- What was the situation or challenge you faced?
- What did you do?
- What was the result?
Reflection questions
- What are your strengths that could be of benefit to others?
- How might your strengths help you build your community? (e.g., writing skills, social skills, sense of humour, positive)
- How do you prefer to connect with people? (e.g., 1-1 meetings, large gatherings, online or offline)
Values
Activity: List your top 5 core values. Choose one and write a short story showing how you relied on it.
Example: If applying to Royal Roads—known for caring, creativity, and courage—share a story from school or work that highlights one or more of these values.
These stories will support your job search and networking efforts.
Story Tip:
Keep it simple: beginning, middle, and end.
Reflection Questions:
- How do your values shape how you build community?
- Who in your network shares your values?
- What organizations reflect your values?
- How do you handle value differences?
- Which values matter most in your work life?
Need help identifying values? Review the Personal Assets module in Determining Direction.
Interests
Activity: List your top 5 professional development interests. Choose one and write a brief story that highlights it.
Note: Personal interests often influence career paths.
Examples:
- A golfer pursuing accounting may network through golf.
- A leader interested in gardening might consider working at Lee Valley.
- A policy analyst passionate about mental health could explore roles in healthcare.
Story Tip: What sparked your interest?
Reflection Questions:
- Are there interests you haven’t explored yet? Where can you connect with others who share them?
- Are there workshops, webinars, or activities you’d like to try (e.g., creative writing, public speaking, paragliding)?
Career Goals
Activity: List your top 5 career goals. Choose one and write a short story about why it matters to you, potential challenges, and how you might overcome them.
Story Tip: Express the passion and emotion behind your goal.
Reflection Questions:
- How is your Royal Roads program supporting your goals?
- What other opportunities at Royal Roads could help you reach them?
- What will success look like, and who in your community will benefit?
- Who in your network could help you move toward your goal?
Write a Summary
Create a brief, three to four sentence summary or bio that can be used on your LinkedIn profile, in a cover letter, or as a response in a job interview.
There are two main approaches you can take: look for common themes across your four stories, such as a core value like sustainability that appears repeatedly, or choose one story to refine and highlight. A well-crafted summary rooted in your own experiences is powerful because it’s unique, personal, and memorable.
Be Prepared
Before connecting with your community, take time to prepare.
Start with a professional email signature—it serves as your digital business card. Consider using social media, especially LinkedIn, to grow your network. With over 722 million members, LinkedIn is a powerful tool for building professional connections.
Refer to our Exploring My Community – Social Media Guide for tips on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Choose platforms your industry uses or those you feel comfortable with. We also provide guidance on informational interviews and attending professional events.
When contacting others from a personal email account, ensure your signature is professional and personalized. Think of it as a digital business card that reinforces your personal brand.
Include the same details you'd use on a business card, and maintain consistency in colors and design with your resume, cover letter, and social media profiles.
Here is an example:
Social Media
Basics
Use social platforms to grow your professional community by sharing content and engaging with others.
Key Platforms
- LinkedIn: Digital resume & global professional network
- Twitter: Quick info sharing (microblog)
- Instagram: Visual content (photos)
- YouTube: Share video content
- Facebook: General social networking
Digital Footprint
Google your name to see your online presence—LinkedIn often ranks highest.
Tips
- Define your personal brand
- Identify your target audience
- Understand each platform’s purpose
- Know which platforms your industry prefers
- Focus on one platform first and build expertise
Why It Matters
- Expand local and global networks
- Stay informed in your field
- Discover career opportunities
For more detailed information about enhancing your Social Media skills, see the Resource: Exploring My Community - Social Media Guide.
Information Meetings
Purpose
A brief meeting (15–20 mins) to learn about a role, company, or industry—not to request a job. Use it to build connections and gather insights. Treat it like a formal interview (dress professionally, arrive early).
1. Request the Meeting
- Contact via LinkedIn, email, or phone.
- Introduce yourself, explain how you found them, your goal, and request a short meeting.
2. Prepare
Research
- Learn about the person (LinkedIn, bio)
- Understand the company (culture, values, recent news)
- Explore industry trends and associations
Prepare Questions
About the Industry:
- What challenges or trends are shaping it?
- What’s the job outlook?
- Recommended organizations or resources?
- Required qualifications?
About the Role/Person:
- What traits are key for success?
- What’s satisfying/challenging about the job?
- Typical day?
- Valuable training/education?
- Career journey?
- Advice for entering the field?
About the Company/Environment:
- How would you describe the work environment?
- What sets the company apart?
- Career path options?
3. During the Meeting
- Be professional, positive, and respectful
- Listen actively and take notes
- Only offer your resume if invited
- Keep to the agreed time limit
- Ask about staying in touch and preferred contact method
4. Follow Up
- Send a thank-you message (within 24–48 hrs) with something specific you learned
- Offer help if relevant (e.g., connections, support)
- Follow up with new contacts mentioned
- Stay in touch periodically if welcomed
5. Reflect
Ask yourself:
- What went well?
- What didn’t?
- What did I learn?
- What will I do differently next time?
- What do I still want to learn?
Attending Events
Here are tips for building community by attending professional events like webinars, conferences, workshops, or association meetups.
Each event has a different focus—conferences often emphasize networking, while webinars may offer chances to connect via chat or follow up with presenters afterward.
Pre-Event
- Start small: Attend events with <150 people (e.g., workshops, webinars).
- Choose strategically: If new to a field, pick relevant industry events; if experienced, explore related fields.
- Do your homework: Review agendas, research speakers/attendees, and list people you’d like to meet.
- Test your setup: Check audio, video, lighting, and background for virtual events.
During the Event
- Stay focused: Minimize distractions; take handwritten notes.
- Engage: Connect with attendees during breaks or via chat. Plan how you'll follow up.
- Be social: Post on LinkedIn, use event hashtags, and participate in app-based networking.
- Build connections: Join virtual coffees or networking events. Aim to help others, not just yourself.
Post-Event
- Follow up: Send personalized messages and LinkedIn invites to new contacts.
- Share takeaways: Post summaries or thank-yous on LinkedIn or other platforms.
Community Research
Strongly consider strengthening your conversationalist skills, which in turn will enhance your relationships and human connections.
The following section will provide opportunities to continue to prepare by:
- Following the prompts to watch the TEDx Talk.
- Conducting community research by reviewing relevant job postings and subscribing to industry-pertinent newsletters or LinkedIn feeds.
- Creating a list of conversation starters (thoughtful open-ended questions).
Ask Good Questions
When building your network, ask open-ended questions to encourage meaningful conversation. Focus on what you want to learn, and give others space to share—then listen.
Questions starting with what or how invite fuller responses (e.g., “What projects have you enjoyed working on?”). Avoid closed questions starting with when, where, do, or have, which often lead to one-word answers. Be cautious with why questions, as they can feel confrontational.
Equally important: listen with curiosity, openness, and empathy.
Watch TEDx Video
Omid shares valuable lessons in his TEDx Talk about building meaningful connections.
Here are a few open-ended questions for you to ponder while watching the Talk:
- What are key takeaways that you learned?
- What are positive outcomes that can emerge from asking meaningful questions?
- What are new questions that you could ask the next time you meet someone, rather than the question most people ask, "what line of work are you in?"
TEDx "Breaking the Habit of Small Talk" | Omid Scheybani (11:14)
Review Relevant Job Posting(s)
Activity: Find at least one job posting that you find of interest.
Based on the description about the position and/or the company, what are you curious about?
Develop at least two open questions that you could ask if you were meeting someone in an information meeting.
Subscribe
Activity: Subscribe to industry-pertinent newsletters or LinkedIn groups.
Review at least one industry newsletter and/or a few industry-related LinkedIn posts.
Develop two open questions that you could ask the authors and/or someone at an industry-related event or conference.
Conversation Starters
After watching Breaking the Habit of Small Talk, reviewing job postings, and reading industry content, you’re ready to craft your own open-ended, thoughtful questions.
Activity: Create a list of conversation starters.
Here are a few examples from Five For Your First Five (McWilliams, 2017) to inspire you:
- “What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about leadership and how did you learn it?”
- “What’s the greatest challenge you’ve faced and how did you handle it?”
- “When was the last time you were surprised by something or someone?”
- “How are you taking ownership of your career development?”
- “How do you build skills for your future?”
Congratulations! You have reached the last page of the Exploring My Community Resource Map. You can return to the Discovering Connections Unit, or use the button below to keep exploring this activity.
Click here to return to the flowchart ↻
If you're ready to move on from Exploring My Community Resource Map, continue to Foundation: Exploring My Community - Social Media Guide