You may have heard people talk about doing an informational interview and you are wondering what that is and how to do it. It's a simple way to ask someone about their work, gain more information about what they do, the good parts and the bad. It's not asking for a job or internship, just information.
How do you do this? Check in CareerRAM through the Career Center homepage http://career.colostate.edu and go to CareerRAM Network for CSU alumni and friends of CSU who have agreed to speak with CSU students about what they do. Most majors are represented in this database.
Before you call or contact them, read about doing an informational interview on line at http://www.quintcareers.com/informational_interviewing-dos-donts.html . There's some great information in this article and will help you structure your informational interview so you know what to say, what to ask, and how to do it. 30 minutes over a cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate may open the door to your future and help you understand what your options are.
Published by Judy Brobst, Career Center Liaison, College of Natural Sciences, Colorado State University