Finding the right career can be an exciting adventure! It’s all about doing a little research to make sure you’re on the best path or spotting when it’s time to make a change. Informational interviews are such a great way for college students to gather helpful insights while they’re still in school. Here are some reasons why information interviews can be so beneficial:

• Industry Insights: Informational interviews can provide you with an inside look at specific industries, job roles, and career paths. This helps you make more informed decisions about your future and clarify if this is something you can see yourself doing after graduation.
• Clarifying Career Goals: Through these conversations, you can ask specific questions about day-to-day responsibilities, challenges, and opportunities in a field. This helps you assess if a particular career is the right fit for your interests and goals
• Access to Insider Information: Many professionals offer tips about breaking into a field, what employers look for, and what trends are shaping the industry. This insider knowledge can give a competitive advantage when applying for internships or jobs.
• Learning from Others’ Experiences: By hearing about others’ career paths, successes, and failures, you can learn from the experiences of others. This can help you avoid common mistakes and better navigate the career journey.
• Networking Opportunities: Conducting informational interviews allows you to expand your professional network. Building relationships with industry professionals can lead to future internships, job offers, and mentorship opportunities.

It is completely valid if your goal for an informational interview is simply to gain insight into a specific field or company. However, we don’t want the interaction to feel transactional. This is someone you may want to add to your network and keep in touch with moving forward. To make the most of the networking aspect, approach the conversation with a friendly, open, and curious attitude. Stay engaged, listen attentively, and express gratitude. Networking isn’t just about seeking opportunities—it’s about building relationships based on mutual respect and genuine interest in others’ expertise. This mindset will help you cultivate a lasting, meaningful network that extends far beyond the initial interview.

And to provide you with a starting point for questions to ask in an informational interview here is a Forage article: “Top 15 Informational Interview Questions to Ask (and Why)” written by Rachel Pelta for you.

Happy interviewing!