How can students conduct SWOT analysis with peers or mentors for feedback and support?

1 Choose your topic

The first step is to choose a specific topic or question that you want to analyze using SWOT. For example, you may want to assess your readiness for a job interview, your progress in a course, or your skills for a project. The topic should be relevant, realistic, and measurable. Write down your topic or question clearly and concisely.

2 Identify your peers or mentors

The next step is to identify one or more peers or mentors who can help you with your SWOT analysis. Peers are people who share similar goals, interests, or experiences with you, such as classmates, friends, or colleagues. Mentors are people who have more knowledge, expertise, or authority than you, such as teachers, advisors, or supervisors. Choose peers or mentors who are trustworthy, supportive, and constructive. Explain to them your topic or question and why you want their feedback and support.

3 Do your own SWOT analysis

Prior to seeking feedback and support from others, it is important to conduct a SWOT analysis. This will help you in preparing for the discussion and clarifying your own ideas and feelings. A SWOT analysis requires you to recognize four elements: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Strengths refer to positive attributes or resources that you possess or can leverage for your topic or question, such as skills, knowledge, experience, network, or personality traits. Weaknesses are the negative attributes or gaps that need to be overcome for your topic or question, such as a lack of skills, knowledge, experience, network, or confidence. Opportunities are external factors or situations which can benefit you or create favorable conditions for your topic or question, such as market trends, industry demands, customer needs, or funding sources. Lastly, Threats are external factors or situations which could harm you or create unfavorable conditions for your topic or question, such as competition, regulations, risks, or challenges. It is essential to be honest and realistic when writing down each element in a separate quadrant of a SWOT matrix using bullet points, keywords, or phrases to summarize your points.

4 Share your SWOT analysis

The fourth step is to share your SWOT analysis with your peers or mentors and ask for their feedback and support. You can do this in various ways, such as face-to-face meetings, online chats, phone calls, or emails. Depending on the number and availability of your peers or mentors, you can choose to share your SWOT analysis individually or in groups. The main purpose of sharing your SWOT analysis is to get different perspectives, insights, and suggestions that can help you improve your SWOT analysis and achieve your goals.

5 Listen and learn

The fifth step is to listen and learn from the feedback and support that you receive from your peers or mentors. Be open-minded, respectful, and appreciative of their opinions and advice. Ask questions, clarify doubts, and seek examples if needed. Try to understand their points of view and how they relate to your topic or question. Compare and contrast their feedback and support with your own SWOT analysis and see if there are any gaps, inconsistencies, or opportunities for improvement.