Pitching Yourself and Your Ideas
Why it matters
When you want to go to Disneyland, you're pitching your parents. When you want extra time on an assignment, you're pitching your teachers. And the pitching doesn't stop: getting a job, getting a promotion, getting recognized for your work, or selling literally anything.
Talk about your pitching skills in your resume (pitching yourself in the process)
Student Advocate Sept. 2023 - Present
Researched, developed, and presented a restroom improvement plan that secured a $3,000 school commitment to restroom repairs.
Doorstop Fellow Sept. 2023 - Present
Pitched a weekly student-led debate to replace one history lecture; piloted for one unit and adopted for the rest of the year.
Build stronger pitching skills
You don't have to pitch the whole school on changing the culture to practice. Notice when there's something small you want to change in class and pitch it.
Pitch better teaching styles, taking a nap during lunch, or try 12 random ideas.
Frame your idea as a question: "Could we have a few minutes to do homework at the end of class?" Always use specific examples: "I'd be a great student council treasurer because I've read about how high schools fundraise and have a step-by-step strategy ready to run a car wash, reach out to successful alums, and sell merch."
Some specifics you'll already have ready to go (like, you'd be a great employee at a petting zoo because you've been a dog walker for six months), but if you don't have any specifics ready, that's a sign you need to build some more skills - one great way is to find a mentor!