I had an idea for a new text leveling prompt for use in Chat GPT or some other AI.
I asked it to do this:
Rewrite this text in simple English and after any tier 2 words or jargon include a concise-italicized-parentheses-blurb that contains the definition in English and the word and definition in Spanish. Please bold the tier 2 words and jargon words that you select. Also bold the section headers, put lines between sections, and make other attractive text formatting choices.
Then I provided the text below:
NEW YORK, New York. Young people searching for work during the summer are dealing with stiff competition. And it’s not just other teens they’re up against—it includes recent college grads and over 12 million adults who have been laid off due to a struggling economy.
Still, specialists say there are openings out there. But teens must know where to search—or how to make their own chances. Here are three ideas from professionals:
For college students, one useful way to gain an edge is by visiting their school’s career office. These offices can point students toward job leads and introduce them to people working in different industries. Some also connect students with alumni who are willing to assist. According to experts, these kinds of services can be very helpful. They can guide students toward future job options.
Experts believe teens can build their own paths to employment by starting small businesses. The first move, they say, is to write down skills they can offer—like designing websites, mowing lawns, or baking treats.
They advise coming up with a business idea and creating a simple plan—just one page is enough. This plan should explain what the business does, who it’s for, and what expenses may come up. After that, teens can begin looking for customers by talking to friends and family. Experts say this method often works well.
Starting a business teaches teens how to manage tasks and build leadership abilities—skills that will be useful later in life.
Some businesses offer internships that don’t pay, but they’re great chances to learn about careers. They give teens real-world experience and a chance to prove their abilities. These roles also help teens form connections with professionals. Over time, these opportunities may turn into paid positions.
Experts note that landing one of these unpaid roles at a big company can be difficult. If that’s the case, they suggest trying smaller businesses. These may not already have internships, but they might be open to the idea—especially since many are cutting staff and expenses because of the poor economy. Teens willing to work for free or low wages may be welcomed.
Although unpaid, these roles can still be valuable. They show schools and future employers that a student is motivated and has interests outside of class—which can make a positive impression down the road.
“Summer jobs make a real difference,” said Lisa Jacobson, head of Inspirica, a company that supports students. “It all adds up—even without earning money.”
Source: Associated Press
A job seeker's story:
I used to head out every Sunday to grab a newspaper. I’d flip straight to the "help wanted" section to find job listings. On a good day, I might see two or three that matched what I was qualified for. Some weeks, just one. Other times, none at all. It was discouraging and took a lot of time. Still, it beat going door-to-door asking businesses if they were hiring—which I also did, often.
Searching for work during the print-newspaper era was no easy task. Today, websites like CareerBuilder.com and Monster.com have simplified the process—somewhat. Here’s what you should know when job hunting online:
Learn how to search. Most job websites allow you to filter by city, type of work, or industry. This helps narrow things down. For instance, you could look up “Chicago” and “graphic design.” You can also search by using specific keywords. Most sites also have guides on how to use their features—make sure to read those.
You’ll need a resume. A resume lists your schooling, experience, and past work. Many websites let you upload one, while others have you fill out an online form. Some people decorate theirs with special fonts or images, but those don’t always work well online. A simple format—plain text or PDF—is your best bet.
A cover letter helps. Some job sites let you attach a short letter that says why you want the job and highlights your skills. It shouldn’t be too long. Think of it as a quick way to promote yourself—but stay professional.
Don’t limit yourself to big job sites. While millions use CareerBuilder and Monster, there are many other options. Some sites are local, like Denver.Jobing.com. Others list public service jobs or specific industries. Most companies also post job openings on their own websites. If there’s a company you’re interested in, check its careers page. But don’t ignore the smaller or lesser-known sites.
Use your personal network. Knowing people in your field is a big advantage. Sites like LinkedIn let you share your resume and connect with professionals—kind of like a business-focused Facebook. Just be careful about what you post—employers might see it.
I received this from Chat GPT:
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NEW YORK, New York
Teenagers who want summer jobs have a lot of people to compete with. This includes not only other teens, but also college graduates and over 12 million adults who lost their jobs because of the poor economy (how money and jobs are doing in a country, economía).
Opportunities Exist
Experts say teens can still find chances to work. But they need to know where to look—or how to create their own jobs. Here are three suggestions from the experts:
Visit the Career Center
If you are in college, one way to get ahead is to visit your school's career center. These centers can help you find job opportunities (chances to do something, oportunidades). They also help you meet people in the business world (the world of work and companies, mundo empresarial). Some centers connect students with graduates (people who finished school, graduados) who want to help. Experts say this service is very useful for learning about future opportunities (chances to do something, oportunidades).
Start a Business
Experts say teens can create their own jobs by starting a business (a company or work you create, negocio). A good first step is to list your “bankable” skills—skills that people will pay for. These skills might include web design, cutting grass, or baking.
Then, come up with an idea and create a business plan (a written plan for a business, plan de negocios). This plan can be only one page long. It should explain what your business will do, who it will serve, and what it might cost. After that, start finding customers (people who pay for a service, clientes) by talking to your friends and family. Experts say this method can work very well.
Starting a business can also help teens build management skills (abilities to organize and lead, habilidades de gestión). These skills are very useful for the future.
Create a Training Opportunity
Some companies offer unpaid jobs which allow young people to learn about work. These jobs provide experience (practical learning from doing something, experiencia) and help teens meet people in the business world (the world of work and companies, mundo empresarial). Over time, these opportunities could lead to regular paid jobs.
It may be hard to get these positions at large companies, so teens might look for opportunities at smaller companies. Even if these companies do not usually offer unpaid jobs, they may be open to the idea. Many companies today are saving money because the economy (how money and jobs are doing in a country, economía) is not strong. Teens willing to work for little or no money might be welcome.
These jobs might not give you a paycheck, but they still have great value. They show employers (people who give jobs, empleadores) and colleges that the teen is eager to work and has interests beyond school. This experience can help a lot in the future.
Lisa Jacobson, president of Inspirica (a group that helps students with schoolwork), says, “Summer jobs really matter—even if you’re not making money, they are valuable.”
Dig Deeper: A Job Seeker’s Words
I used to go out every Sunday and buy the newspaper. I’d turn to the “help wanted” section and look at job ads. On a good week, maybe two or three jobs matched my qualifications (skills and experience needed for a job, cualificaciones). Sometimes there was only one, and sometimes there were none. It was frustrating (making you feel upset, frustrante) and took a lot of time. But it was still better than going door to door to ask for work—even though I did that too.
Looking for jobs in the newspaper days was difficult. Now, we have online job sites like CareerBuilder.com and Monster.com that have made things a bit easier. Here are some tips for any online job-hunter (a person looking for work, buscador de empleo):
Learn How the Search Works
Most online job sites let you search by city, industry, and job type. This helps you narrow your search (make something more specific, reducir) so you find the right job. For example, you might search for “Los Angeles” and “software development.” You can also use keywords (important words describing the job, palabras clave) to refine your search. Many job sites also have a help section (a place with tips or instructions, sección de ayuda), so be sure to read that.
Have a Resume
A resume is a document that shows your education, qualifications (skills and experience needed for a job, cualificaciones), and work history. Most sites let you upload your resume, and some require you to type your information. While some people use fancy text or pictures, it’s best to use a basic format (like plain text or PDF) so it uploads correctly.
Prepare a Cover Letter
You might also need a cover letter with your job application. This letter explains why you are interested in the position and briefly outlines your qualifications (skills and experience needed for a job, cualificaciones). The cover letter is also a chance to “sell” yourself (explain why you’re the best candidate, promocionarte), but don’t exaggerate.
Explore More Options
Don’t assume that the major job sites are your only choices. While many people use websites like CareerBuilder.com and Monster.com, there are also job sites focused on specific cities (for example, Milwaukee.Jobing.com) and job banks (collections of job listings, bancos de empleo). Cities, states, and even individual companies often have their own job listings on their websites. If there is a particular company you dream of working for, check their website too, but be sure to look at other online options as well.
Use Your Networks
Knowing people in your field can be very helpful. The Internet makes it easier to connect with professionals. Websites like LinkedIn.com allow you to post your resume and connect with others—it's similar to having friends on Facebook, but for work. Your connections can view your LinkedIn page, so be careful about what you share, as potential employers (people who might hire you, posibles empleadores) might look at your information.
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This seems like it hits the middle ground between students who are just floundering without their first language and are in a rough transition to even simplified texts.