How to Stand Out Without Burning Out
Lesson 9 - Spring Semester
Lesson Overview
Get noticed in a sea of applicants without burning out. Learn to showcase soft skills and leadership, differentiate yourself through a blog, content, or community involvement, and build a personal brand that feels authentic.
Discussion Topics & Talking Points
Opening: Standing Out Without Burning Out
Question: "How do you get noticed when hundreds of people apply for the same role?"
- Popular companies receive 100–500+ applications per role
- Being qualified isn’t enough—you need to be memorable
- Standing out doesn’t mean working 80-hour weeks
- Authentic differentiation beats generic perfection
Reality Check: You can build a strong personal brand and stand out without sacrificing your wellbeing.
What Makes Someone Unforgettable:
- Clear personal brand and unique story
- Demonstrated impact and measurable results
- Authentic passion that comes through
- Strong online presence that reinforces their brand
Differentiation Through Content and Community
Ways to Stand Out Without Burning Out
Showcase Soft Skills and Leadership:
- Lead a club, project, or study group
- Document your learning (blog, LinkedIn, portfolio)
- Volunteer or mentor others in tech
- Speak at meetups or present at class
Content and Community:
- Write about projects and what you learned
- Contribute to open source or community projects
- Build in public and share your process
- Connect with others in your niche
Homework Submission Reminder
Submit Your Standing Out Plan
After defining how you’ll differentiate yourself (content, community, or leadership), submit your plan through the Homework tab.
Submission Deadline: Two weeks from today’s meeting