Here are some helpful questions that may give you a better idea of
a profession. Alums are eager to talk about what they do, so don't worry
about imposing. Ask away!
- What is the outlook for this field?
- What are the major issues? The big picture?
- What do you wish you had known about this field when your were my
age?
- How do you spend your average day?
- Do you like what you do? What are your greatest frustrations at
work?
- Do you work autonomously, or in a team? How much flexibility do
you have?
- How can I best prepare for this field - through coursework, extracurricular
activities, or professional associations?
- What are the main obstacles to entering the field?
- Is there on-the-job training?
- What about advancement opportunities? What is a typical career path?
- What advice do you have about my résumé?
- What books or professional journals might be useful to read?
- What people or organizations would it be helpful for me to contact
for information?
- If relevant: Are there any special advantages or disadvantages for
women in your field or organization?
For those thinking about doing informational interviewing, you can
also ask questions like:
- To whom should I talk next to learn more about this field/industry/position?
- If I look for an internship or job in this field, where would you
suggest I look?
- What else do you think I need to know in order to make a good ecision
about working in this area?
- Are there professional or networking groups that I can join to expand
my knowledge of this field?
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