Start with your Interests 

What are you curious about? Do you know an area/profession/industry that excites you or do you want to explore? Brainstorm some ideas utilizing what you see around you, in the news & social media, or even by the people in your own network (family & friends). This may require taking time to think about what skills you have that can connect with an interest. For example, you may be great at building models or creating things with your hands. Is that a skill that you find enjoyable that would also be found in a profession like architecture, culinary arts, or product engineering? You can also use platforms such as Find Your Grind (FYG) to explore some areas of interest or skills that you may have. Understanding some of your interests will help you with your next step: completing an informational interview.

Complete an Informational Interview 

WHAT is an informational interview?

An informational interview is an informal conversation you can have with someone who works in a field that you are interested in. You can learn about the career, the industry and the workplace culture and get advice on your own path. Although you may be building your network of supportive professionals, the informational interview is not a job interview and the objective is not to find job openings.  It is to learn as much as you can about their career and industry.

WHY should you complete informational interviews?

Informational interviews are your insider scoop on a particular career field.  You will learn the positive aspects, challenges, skills you need, advice to get into this field, and what really goes on behind the scenes.  Career websites do a great job of letting you know about the typical job duties, salary, and skills or education needed, but this is your chance to learn firsthand from a professional who has been in the field for several years.  In addition, you are starting to create a network.  You never know when you might need to connect with the professionals in the future!

WHO can you reach out to for an informational interview?

You can reach out to literally anyone!  If there is someone that you already know that is in a field that you are interested in, reach out to them.  You can also start to reach out to friend’s parents, family or business professionals. We think of those professionals as “opportunities” for you to have an informational interview with (maybe shadow day or even internships). As part of Incline High School's LTI program, you will submit the person's contact information through our Imblaze platform BEFORE you schedule your informational interview. Our Imblaze platform also has a database of potential mentors that you can contact for an informational interview. See Ms. Carney for how to start that process :)

 If you don’t know where to start, here are a few ideas to get you started: 

• Google the career and + “Incline Village” (example.  “Marketing Incline Village” or “Interior Design Incline Village”)
• Business websites
• News headlines
• Social media
• LinkedIn
• Visit the business
• Check out what businesses are in the neighborhood

*NOTE: You may feel awkward reaching out to people you don’t know, but most people really enjoy taking a bit of time out of their day to reflect on their professional life and to support someone interested in their work.

IMPORTANT - while anyone can complete informational interviews in their everyday lives, the Incline High School LTI/Internship Program has some specific steps for students to follow an include:

• Working with your Advisor to submit your opportunity suggestion through our Imblaze platform
• Having a signed permission form for leaving campus for an LTI
• Using our Imblaze mobile app to log your LTI
• Follow guidelines for working with community Mentors