Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Exploring Careers
Informational Interviewing
Speaking directly with people in careers that you are considering is a great way to get first-hand information, rather than relying solely on print material.
To set-up an Informational Interview you must call first to schedule a time. Ideally, you will have 20 - 30 minutes for the interview, but 10 - 15 minutes can still yield volumes of valuable information.
Go into the interview with your written questions. Below are some sample informational interview questions.
- Describe a typical day or work week.
- How did you get started in this type of work?
- Describe the education/ work experience that prepared you for this position.
- What do you like most about your job?
- What are the most challenging aspects about this work?
- What are some important things a person considering this field should know?
- What are some of the things in this job that are important to you?
- Describe qualities or characteristics one needs to be successful in this occupation.
Remember to send a "thank you" email after the interview.
Other "first-hand" ways to help you explore careers are:
Networking
Job Shadowing
Voluteering
Internships
LINKS to help you explore careers
College Foundation of NC www.cfnc.org
North Carolina Career Resource Network www.ncsoicc.org
Occupational Information Network http://online.onetcenter.org
America's Career InfoNet www.acinet.org
Common misperceptions about choosing a major
http://www.psu.edu/dus/md/mdmisper.htm
What Can I Do With A Major In?
http://www.uncwil.edu/stuaff/career/Majors
University of North Carolina, Wilmington website. Information listed by majors, accompanying careers and a wealth of links related to those careers.
UNCA What Can I Do With A Major In?
http://www.unca.edu/career/majors.html
University North Carolina Asheville major and career information
Purdue University What Can I Do With A Major In?
http://www.calumet.purdue.edu/careerservices/majors/default.html
Site includes common career areas, typical employers, and career preparation strategies for students pursuing four year degrees
Major Resource Kit
http://www.udel.edu/CSC/mrk.html
University of Delaware site that links academic majors to career paths and provides sample job titles
Western Carolina University What Can I Do With A Major In?
http://careers.wcu.edu/Majors.html
Career and jo
North Carolina State Major Planner
http://www.ncsu.edu/majors-careers/do_with_major_in
Information on North Carolina State University majors and related career information