FAQ'S
About DYC Organization
DYC is my 501c(3) non-profit organization – that strives to showcase everyone’s talents or skills by running various workshops (especially sessions that focus on applied learning and practice knowledge).
View All About DYC Platform information session here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOKzXLZRXFM&app=desktop
Follow us on FB for ongoing updates – https://www.facebook.com/DesignYourCareers
#dycforall #designyourcareers #LeadershipOpportunities #volunteeropportunities #volunteer #workshops #Mentorship #CommunityService
What is the purpose of Design Your Careers? What does Design Your Careers offer?
Design your Careers(DYC) is a comprehensive platform that brings learners and mentors on a single platform at their own accord. We seek to inspire and share information, leveraging the skills, talents, and knowledge of each one to benefit each other, without hassles or expectations. DYC is a One-stop platform for everyone.
When was Design Your Careers established?
Design Your Careers non-profit organization was registered on April 9th 2018.
Its official logo/website was launched on July 23rd 2018
How and why did you come up with the idea of establishing a DYC platform?
The genesis of the DYC concept first started at a dining table between two friends. We (Rohan Malyala and Anirudhan Badrinath) were exercising our brains on an intricate math competition exam as a mentor and the mentee. I (Rohan) realized that sharing knowledge and helping out one another is the way to learn better. There are many students who would like to share knowledge, develop their leadership skills but are looking for the opportunity to do the same. So, we came up with the idea of creating this platform. As a platform, we have grown tremendously in the last few years, with each student, mentor, and volunteer putting their best foot forward for the spread of knowledge. We established this as a global platform to provide maximum accessibility, flexibility, and tailorability to accelerate Students unique interests and guide or inspire others in all forms
What process/steps did you take to establish DYC global platform
1.Documented organization name, short-term/long-term goals
2.Took continuous guidance from parents and mentors
3.Identified board members
4.Registered for Non-profit organization
5.Onboarded initial 3 Student Leaders from different High Schools
6.Conducted online, online and pre-recorded workshops, community service projects, and gathered feedback from members, participants, and parents
7.Converted for 501c(3) non-profit organization in Sept 2019
8.Design Your Careers (DYC) became an approved official certifying organization for the Presidential Volunteers Service Award in Jan 2020
9.DYC is successfully now running programs across the nation and was recently introduced DYC Club to two Bay Area schools.
What has Design Your Careers accomplished as an organization so far?
We have initiated DYC as a singular platform to introduce our own knowledge, skills, and passions to others while encouraging them to do the same.
DYC team seeks to introduce logical, academic, non-academic, arts, skills, abilities, and activities that can help us grow collectively better than ever before.
– Here is our 2019 milestones summary – https://designyourcareers.org/milestones.php
– Our 2 Years success journey can be found at – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJzFT7Ovx78&t=15s
Few Testimonials:
Ojas Vashishtha (Mitty High School, San Jose) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me1kWAaKFfE
Nikhil Vudityala (Prospect High School, Saratoga) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyQVM11TeKQ
Shreyas Nallandigal (Cupertino High School, Cupertino) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP68fvJRbPM
Amogh Donthi (JP Morgan High School, Fremont) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IggmcoAanJA&t=13s
Testimonial in text form:
Anvita Kirara (Evergreen Valley High School, San Jose) : Design Your Career helped me gain wider audiences to teach my dance and provided a network of connections to help with my future career.
Shrijani Vemulapally (Irvington High School, Fremont): I really enjoyed teaching kids. it was a very nice experience. I loved listening to them speak French and actively participate in the games and compete against each other in Kahoot.
Shreeya Mamidipaka (Fremont High School, Sunnyvale): The workshop went really well and everyone enjoyed the music and dance. I would like to have more workshops in the future!
What are your future plans for the organization?
In the process of expanding DYC platform nationwide in every US State and eventually worldwide. Launched a new Chapter in July 2020, in the East Coast Region.
Expand DYC club and Chapters to schools/colleges
Promote DYC as a one platform where students may freely learn, share practical knowledge and collaborate with others while serving the global community and benefiting all.
Build DYC student leader & volunteer community and be accessible from any part of the world
What do you think is the most important thing for people to know about DYC and how it works?
It is the platform for Sharing knowledge, learning skills and Volunteering.
We have countless ways to participate from anywhere at a pace that fits one’s schedule.
We got everything to keep Students going and match their Interests.
Anyone can join the DYC community and grow their leadership skills, share interesting topics on a global platform, get recognition and rise to their highest potential
We encourage one and all to be part of the DYC community and contribute, share, learn and participate in what you need and what you can do, anytime.
We are keen to make a difference in the community with our model. Our 360 approach and options ensures to maximize everyone’s objectives.
How does it work ?
Become a “Student Leader” (Students) or Mentor (Industry Professional)
Submit the membership form on the website www.designyourcareers.org
Student Leader Benefits: Leadership Role & Special Recognition, Community Hours, Participate from Anywhere, and Matches your Interests.
Eligibility to PVSA (Presidential Volunteer Service Awards)
Student Leader can join and share the skills that reflect their interests
Present the workshop in any topic or skill (Live, Online or Pre-recorded)
Bring in a Mentor to share their expertise in workshop (Live, Online or Pre-recorded)
Host Fund-raise programs to support underserved children or school if they run it as a club in their school
Help spread the DYC programs – support administration or email campaign support tasks
Student Leader can bring any Industry Experts (Mentors) and help present their sessions
Mentors can coach and guide Student Leaders in any form
Who else can I talk to for more information?
For information, visit DYC website where you can find all the details and relevant forms. For additional details, send an email to info@designyourcareers.org and one of the DYC student leaders will respond.
Learners who attended our workshops, Student Leaders who presented in the workshops provided their feedback/testimonials.
Few Testimonials for references –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me1kWAaKFfE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyQVM11TeKQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP68fvJRbPM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IggmcoAanJA&t=13s
Testimonial in text form:
Anvita Kirara : Design Your Career helped me gain wider audiences to teach my dance and provided a network of connections to help with my future career.
Shrijani Vemulapally: I really enjoyed teaching kids. it was a very nice experience. I loved listening to them speak French and actively participate in the games and compete against each other in Kahoot.
Shreeya Mamidipaka: The workshop went really well and everyone enjoyed the music and dance. I would like to have more workshops in the future!
How is DYC different from other Student led Platforms?
It is a student-led organization and all our programs allow Students to expand their skills and talents without limiting them to join one and gives the flexibility to participate from anywhere. It is a one Stop place for all Community Service. Students can participate in countless ways from anywhere at a pace that fits their schedule.
What are advantages of becoming a DYC member
As a DYC member and be part of an awesome community !! We got everything to match your interests, keep you going and reach your complete potential.
Anything else that you think I should know?
For additional information refer website www.designyourcareers.org
Read this research paper – https://designyourcareers.org/rohan-research-paper.php
Visit our Social media pages/postings
About DYC Community
THE NETWORK OF AMBITIOUS YOUTH LEADERS FROM DYC WANTING TO GROW INNOVATION, LEADERSHIP, SHARING AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP SKILLS
Social Media Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DesignYourCareers/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGESvW9jnc_zn_r8PtOriaw
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/designyourcareers
DYC Hashtags for Social Media postings
#dycforall #designyourcareers #volunteer #volunteeropportunities #LeadershipOpportunities #mentorship #communityservice #Freeworkshops
DYC Student Leaders
How to become a DYC Member or Student Leader?
Fill the Student Leader Membership Form at https://designyourcareers.org/member.php
Submit the filled form via email to info@designyourcareers.org along with your professional picture.
What are Student Leader Membership Steps?
1. Submit the filled membership form, picture, summary of your introduction (Write about yourself and your passions, skills and what you want to do as a student leader)
2 You will be contacted by DYC Team to discuss your interests and next steps
3 You will be given DYC templates, guidance and required support to host workshops
4 We will walkthrough the sample steps/templates for additional reference
5 Like DYC Facebook and subscribe to DYC YouTube channel where we post valuable content
7 Create LinkedIn profile and add DYC Student Leader role and your DYC experience, Tag with Design Your Careers Linkedin page
8. Get involved in DYC activities, continue your participation and spread the knowledge to others
What are Student Leader Benefits?
Opportunity to reach your complete potential, Leadership Role, Special Recognition, Community Hours, Participate from Anywhere, and Matches your Interests.
Eligibility to PVSA (Presidential Volunteer Service Awards – eligibility will within a 12-month period, Jan to Dec period)
How does the DYC platform help Students?
We help students explore their interests while developing leadership skills, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration among peers.
DYC gives students an equal chance to explore and share every talent of theirs, ranging from technology to art to academics to sports, all while earning volunteer hours.
What is the age range to be a DYC Student Leader?
The student must currently be enrolled either in middle school, high school, or college to be a DYC Student Leader.
Who can be a Student Leader?
A Student Leader is someone who will get things done, has good communications, is flexible, willing to take ownership and responsibility for their tasks and can drive other students.
How are the workshops conducted?
The workshops are mostly conducted online via Zoom to reach a vast group of people but they are sometimes also conducted pre-recorded sessions or in-person in schools or libraries.
How do Student Leaders help the community?
The Student Leaders impact the community in the following ways:
Teach younger students where they learn a wide variety of topics/skills for free.
Share valuable real-time information via mentors and subject-experts for free.
Help the underserved in various forms
How are the service hours counted?
All the activities done through DYC will be eligible for volunteer hours. To get a PVSA award, one must earn all the required hours from DYC projects and projects.
Where can I see Past Workshops?
All our completed and ongoing Workshop details are published on DYC Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/DesignYourCareers
Sample Pre-recorded Workshops are in DYC Youtube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGESvW9jnc_zn_r8PtOriaw –
How to host Online Workshop
1. Request with Workshop Topic, Details and Schedule
2. DYC Core team will setup Zoom Schedule for the approved Workshop schedule (2 days before the session)
3. Send an email to students (workshop details, meeting link etc.,) or publish in central Calendar
4. Complete the workshop in online session
5. Send Thank you and relevant materials reference note to students
6. If its a multiple sessions workshop – send reminder emails prior to each session
7. Complete Workshop Summary template, Student Leader feedback form and record Volunteer hours
8. Share your experience with others and you will surely enjoy the whole process
Some Best Practice Steps to run Workshops Online
1. Engage the audience, the first two minutes are crucial. Involve students to answer questions
2. If you made a mistake, that is ok, don’t worry about it, you can fix it.
3. If needed give homework to engage them after the class
4. Create a shared folder with all students and add daily slides in pdf form for them to access
5. Create games(Optional) for the day’s concept, helps with understanding, can be hangman, Kahoot etc.
6. If your workshops aren’t continuous, meaning not M-F, use the remainder class email (see the template) to send out reminders to everyone.
7. Send an email asking all participants to fill out the DYC workshop feedback form. Use Feedback sample form email as an example.
8. Last day of the workshop, make everyone show their faces so you can take a screenshot (picture time) and ask each and every person to give their feedback.
– Take few sessions screenshots of Zoom gallery view
– Take Speaker view of yours and slide – few screenshots
– Take one or two materials or Kahoot game screenshots
9. Upload screenshots and workshop summary in your workshop folder for future reference
10. Send Thank you email to students with workshop completion summary,topic related references (if any), and About DYC information (see the template)
How to do Pre-recorded Workshop
1 Get your workshop approved by DYC
2 Make slides for your workshop using DYC slide templates and Speaker notes , review it with DYC team
3 Find a quiet place and record your workshops using screen recording with voice
4 Record your workshops in bits, like day 1 record day 1 and day 2 record day 2. Use any video editing app to combine your videos
5 Submit your workshop video
6 If you don’t want to make a video workshop or you think your information can’t be portrayed well in a video form, you may share your knowledge in a written form and take help from other Student Leaders.
How to help in DYC Administrative works
1 Draft and sending Emails or Newsletter or related Communications
2 Manage DYC programs activities, coordination and related works
3 Working with other volunteers and student leaders,
4. Check additional task details with the team
Subject-matter Experts & Mentors
How can working professionals help DYC?
Working Professionals can act as mentors and share their subject skills, best practices and real-time knowledge with students. Student Leaders can bring in various Mentors expertise to share with others. Mentors can also earn volunteer hours to submit in their company if needed.
Volunteers
What is the difference between Student Leaders and Volunteers?
Volunteers don’t need to commit as student leaders do. They can help student leaders in their workshops and receive hours from student leaders They can also earn hours by helping with one of our public events.
Learner Benefits
How is DYC helpful to non-volunteers?
Non-volunteers (Learners) can get a wide range of knowledge for free by attending DYC workshops.They access the best practical knowledge sessions and can attend workshops from anywhere
How do you find and register for workshops?
We post all workshops registration links on DYC Facebook page or in emails and all you need to do is find your favorite workshop and click on the registration link to register. Follow Design Your Careers on Facebook to get regular notifications about new workshops.
Are the workshops free or paid?
All our workshops are free but occasionally, we ask for an optional donation to support our community service projects.
Is there an age group for learners?
There is no fixed age group to join the workshops unless specified on registration page
DYC School Club
About DYC Club
DYC Club | One-stop platform for all Volunteer needs & for everyone at Schoo
How many schools run a DYC club?
DYC Club was recently introduced to two Bay Area schools.
What are the steps to start a DYC club in School?
You need to be a student leader and get the school’s approval and show it to DYC. Additionally, to start a club you need to have already done at least one workshop via DYC.
Can Student leaders conduct in-person workshops?
Yes, in-person workshops can be run when you run a DYC club in your schools or colleges
How to submit Volunteer Hours through DYC School Club
Fill out service hours form for each Workshop (hours are tracked by individual workshop)
Note: Include all the number of minutes & hours it took for you to document, conduct, record (if you did) workshop.
Contact
Got a question?
We’d love to hear from you. Send us a message and we’ll respond as soon as possible.
How do I contact the DYC Core Team?
You may contact the main office or email at info@designyourcareers.org
Get involved and discover countless ways to participate from anywhere at a pace that fits your schedule.
Non Discrimination Policy
We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.
We do not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, gender identity or gender expression.
How to become a DYC Member or Student Leader?
Fill the Student Leader Membership Form at https://designyourcareers.org/member.php
Submit the filled form via email to info@designyourcareers.org along with your professional picture.
What are Student Leader Membership Steps?
1. Submit the filled membership form, picture, summary of your introduction (Write about yourself and your passions, skills and what you want to do as a student leader)
2 You will be contacted by DYC Team to discuss your interests and next steps
3 You will be given DYC templates, guidance and required support to host workshops
4 We will walkthrough the sample steps/templates for additional reference
5 Like DYC Facebook and subscribe to DYC YouTube channel where we post valuable content
7 Create LinkedIn profile and add DYC Student Leader role and your DYC experience, Tag with Design Your Careers Linkedin page
8. Get involved in DYC activities, continue your participation and spread the knowledge to others
What are Student Leader Benefits?
Opportunity to reach your complete potential, Leadership Role, Special Recognition, Community Hours, Participate from Anywhere, and Matches your Interests.
Eligibility to PVSA (Presidential Volunteer Service Awards – eligibility will within a 12-month period, Jan to Dec period)
How does the DYC platform help Students?
We help students explore their interests while developing leadership skills, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration among peers.
DYC gives students an equal chance to explore and share every talent of theirs, ranging from technology to art to academics to sports, all while earning volunteer hours.
What is the age range to be a DYC Student Leader?
The student must currently be enrolled either in middle school, high school, or college to be a DYC Student Leader.
Who can be a Student Leader?
A Student Leader is someone who will get things done, has good communications, is flexible, willing to take ownership and responsibility for their tasks and can drive other students.
How are the workshops conducted?
The workshops are mostly conducted online via Zoom to reach a vast group of people but they are sometimes also conducted pre-recorded sessions or in-person in schools or libraries.
How do Student Leaders help the community?
The Student Leaders impact the community in the following ways:
Teach younger students where they learn a wide variety of topics/skills for free.
Share valuable real-time information via mentors and subject-experts for free.
Help the underserved in various forms
How are the service hours counted?
All the activities done through DYC will be eligible for volunteer hours. To get a PVSA award, one must earn all the required hours from DYC projects and projects.
Where can I see Past Workshops?
All our completed and ongoing Workshop details are published on DYC Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/DesignYourCareers
Sample Pre-recorded Workshops are in DYC Youtube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGESvW9jnc_zn_r8PtOriaw –
How to host Online Workshop
1. Request with Workshop Topic, Details and Schedule
2. DYC Core team will setup Zoom Schedule for the approved Workshop schedule (2 days before the session)
3. Send an email to students (workshop details, meeting link etc.,) or publish in central Calendar
4. Complete the workshop in online session
5. Send Thank you and relevant materials reference note to students
6. If its a multiple sessions workshop – send reminder emails prior to each session
7. Complete Workshop Summary template, Student Leader feedback form and record Volunteer hours
8. Share your experience with others and you will surely enjoy the whole process
Some Best Practice Steps to run Workshops Online
1. Engage the audience, the first two minutes are crucial. Involve students to answer questions
2. If you made a mistake, that is ok, don’t worry about it, you can fix it.
3. If needed give homework to engage them after the class
4. Create a shared folder with all students and add daily slides in pdf form for them to access
5. Create games(Optional) for the day’s concept, helps with understanding, can be hangman, Kahoot etc.
6. If your workshops aren’t continuous, meaning not M-F, use the remainder class email (see the template) to send out reminders to everyone.
7. Send an email asking all participants to fill out the DYC workshop feedback form. Use Feedback sample form email as an example.
8. Last day of the workshop, make everyone show their faces so you can take a screenshot (picture time) and ask each and every person to give their feedback.
– Take few sessions screenshots of Zoom gallery view
– Take Speaker view of yours and slide – few screenshots
– Take one or two materials or Kahoot game screenshots
9. Upload screenshots and workshop summary in your workshop folder for future reference
10. Send Thank you email to students with workshop completion summary,topic related references (if any), and About DYC information (see the template)
How to do Pre-recorded Workshop
1 Get your workshop approved by DYC
2 Make slides for your workshop using DYC slide templates and Speaker notes , review it with DYC team
3 Find a quiet place and record your workshops using screen recording with voice
4 Record your workshops in bits, like day 1 record day 1 and day 2 record day 2. Use any video editing app to combine your videos
5 Submit your workshop video
6 If you don’t want to make a video workshop or you think your information can’t be portrayed well in a video form, you may share your knowledge in a written form and take help from other Student Leaders.
How to help in DYC Administrative works
1 Draft and sending Emails or Newsletter or related Communications
2 Manage DYC programs activities, coordination and related works
3 Working with other volunteers and student leaders,
4. Check additional task details with the team
About DYC Club
DYC Club | One-stop platform for all Volunteer needs & for everyone at School
How many schools run a DYC club?
DYC Club was recently introduced to two Bay Area schools.
What are the steps to start a DYC club in School?
You need to be a student leader and get the school’s approval and show it to DYC. Additionally, to start a club you need to have already done at least one workshop via DYC.
Can Student leaders conduct in-person workshops?
Yes, in-person workshops can be run when you run a DYC club in your schools or colleges.
How to submit Volunteer Hours through DYC School Club
Fill out service hours form for each Workshop (hours are tracked by individual workshop)
Note: Include all the number of minutes & hours it took for you to document, conduct, record (if you did) workshop.
What is the difference between Student Leaders and Volunteers?
Volunteers don’t need to commit as student leaders do. They can help student leaders in their workshops and receive hours from student leaders They can also earn hours by helping with one of our public events.
How is DYC helpful to non-volunteers?
Non-volunteers (Learners) can get a wide range of knowledge for free by attending DYC workshops.They access the best practical knowledge sessions and can attend workshops from anywhere.
How do you find and register for workshops?
We post all workshops registration links on DYC Facebook page or in emails and all you need to do is find your favorite workshop and click on the registration link to register. Follow Design Your Careers on Facebook to get regular notifications about new workshops.
Are the workshops free or paid?
All our workshops are free but occasionally, we ask for an optional donation to support our community service projects.
Is there an age group for learners?
There is no fixed age group to join the workshops unless specified on registration page
We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.
We do not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, gender identity or gender expression.
Got a question?
We’d love to hear from you. Send us a message and we’ll respond as soon as possible.
How do I contact the DYC Core Team?
You may contact the main office or email at info@designyourcareers.org
Get involved and discover countless ways to participate from anywhere at a pace that fits your schedule.
