Dewey | NEU Co-op Assistant Bot

Introduction

Dewey is an AI-powered virtual assistant designed specifically for students at Northeastern Khoury College of Computer Sciences. Its primary goal is to support students throughout their co-op and internship journey by providing personalized academic and career guidance, resume analysis, and administrative assistance.

This blog outlines Dewey’s core capabilities, features, and use cases, to showcase the bot’s capabilities in action.

Overview of Capabilities

Dewey offers a wide range of capabilities that assist students, faculty, and administrators with various aspects of the co-op process. Key functions include:

Resume Review and Analysis: Dewey helps students refine their resumes by providing actionable feedback based on formatting, clarity, and content.
Co-op and Internship Guidance: Offers personalized suggestions for students to improve their chances of securing the right co-op positions.
Academic Planning: Helps students choose courses that align with their career goals, optimizing their co-op readiness.
Administrative Assistance: Answers common questions related to visas, GPA requirements, and other logistical matters.

Detailed Feature Descriptions

1. Resume Analysis and Feedback

Purpose: To assist students in preparing a polished and impactful resume for their co-op or internship applications.
How it Works: Dewey analyzes resumes for common errors, including formatting, grammar, and structure, while also offering suggestions to highlight relevant skills and experiences. It categorizes feedback across sections like Education, Skills, and Experience to ensure a comprehensive review.

2. Writing Better Resume Sections

Purpose: To help students craft better, more focused sections in their resumes by providing guidance on clarity and impact.
How it Works: Dewey offers tips for enhancing the wording of experience and skills sections, helping students shift from generic descriptions to more action-oriented, quantifiable achievements.

3. Co-op and Internship Application Guidance

Purpose: To guide students through the process of identifying and applying for co-op positions that match their skills and career goals.
How it Works: Dewey evaluates the student’s current progress—academic record, skills, and goals—and recommends suitable co-op opportunities, while identifying areas where additional preparation is needed (e.g., technical skills or project experience).

4. Administrative Support

Purpose: To provide clarity on common administrative tasks such as visa applications for international students or maintaining eligibility for co-op with respect to GPA requirements.
How it Works: Dewey offers step-by-step guidance on specific procedures, including applying for a visa after receiving an internship offer and what students need to do if their GPA falls below the co-op eligibility threshold.

5. Course Selection Advice

Purpose: To help students select courses that best align with their co-op goals, enhancing their academic preparation and future employability.
How it Works: Dewey provides suggestions based on the student’s career aspirations, identifying courses that complement their desired co-op roles by filling skill gaps or expanding relevant knowledge.

Use Cases for Dewey

Dewey excels in a variety of use cases, providing students with a helpful, consistent resource that is accessible at any time:

For Students Applying to Co-op Positions: Dewey’s resume analysis helps students refine their application materials, ensuring they are well-prepared to stand out among other candidates.
For International Students: Dewey provides clear, easy-to-follow advice on visa processes, alleviating stress for students navigating complex legal procedures.
For Students Planning Their Career Path: Dewey’s guidance on course selection and co-op opportunities ensures students are taking the right steps to build the skills they need for their desired career.

Value to Different Stakeholders

1. For Students

Dewey provides immediate feedback and answers, reducing the need for students to wait for in-person appointments with advisors. From resume feedback to co-op guidance, Dewey is a quick and reliable resource that empowers students to take control of their co-op journey.

2. For Faculty

Dewey aids faculty by automating some of the more repetitive tasks, such as providing feedback on resume formatting or answering common student questions about GPA or co-op requirements. This allows faculty to focus on more complex student needs and mentoring.

3. For Administrators

Dewey reduces the administrative burden by answering logistical questions about visa requirements, co-op eligibility, and other frequent queries. This enables administrators to dedicate more time to higher-level tasks.

Live Demo

Try Dewey here.

Conclusion

Dewey is a valuable tool for students and staff alike, providing timely, accurate guidance across various stages of the co-op process. By streamlining routine tasks such as resume feedback and answering administrative questions, Dewey frees up time for students to focus on their career development.

As an AI assistant, Dewey is continually learning and improving, with the potential to become an even more integral part of the Northeastern co-op ecosystem in the future.