For some people “networking” is an intimidating word. They say, “I don’t have any contacts and networking sounds scary.” If you start by thinking about what careers you want to learn about and who you can reach out to who is working in those career areas, the process may feel less intimidating. Calling these interactions informational interviewing can take some of the stress out of learning about career options and developing new contacts.
Informational interviews are a chance for you to "sit down" with a professional in a brief meeting to learn about their career path, their current role, and any advice they may have for you. (Note that they are not the time to ask for a job.) Many fellows are surprised by the fact that many professionals are happy to meet with them to discuss their careers, especially over Zoom. The format of an informational interview can help both you and the person you interview to know what to expect, guiding your interaction and making it feel less awkward than unstructured networking. In my appointments with NIH fellows since 2008, I have found that even the most shy or introverted fellows can develop a robust network of contacts if they take the time and energy to work on this project. With the resources below, you can do it, too!
Here are some ways to get started:
- Work on choosing your career options
- Reflect on what you want to know more about (e.g., what career sectors or job roles interest you). These resources can help you consider your interests, values, and skills and also begin to explore options:
- Follow Your Curiosity- following your curiosity, not your passion, for career choices.
- myIDP (http://myidp.sciencecareers.org/)
- Three short assessments that match up your interest and skills preferences with various career paths that are related to science
- In myIDP under “Career Exploration”, “Read About Careers,” there is an overview of many career paths in science with links to articles, books, and professional associations that describe these career paths. Many career paths are covered, including academia, science policy, intellectual property, science writing, regulatory affairs, and entrepreneurship.
- Watch “Career Planning for Scientists” on the OITE YouTube Channel
- Make a list of resources you can use to find people to talk with about their work. Consider using:
- NIH alumni database
- University alumni networks - check the website of your alma mater
- Professional associations you belong to
- Former colleagues
- Friends and family members
- Read more about informational interviewing and develop questions that you would like to ask.
- Write an email to request a brief informational meeting/conversation.
- Ask for help.
- For NIH intramural fellows, you may make an appointment with an OITE career counselor.
- Check your university for career services appointments
- Find additional networking resources on the OITE Careers Blog. (https://oitecareersblog.od.nih.gov/search/node?keys=networking)
Happy holidays and best wishes for productive informational interviewing and developing new contacts in the New Year!
Guest Blogger: Anne Kirchgessner, MSEd, LCPC: Career Counselor, OITE
Part of the “Voices of OITE” series.
