UMGC Career Connection Get an Informational Interview

At any stage of your academic or professional journey, informational interviews open the door to career exploration, insider perspectives, and meaningful connections. Unlike traditional networking, which often focuses on selling yourself and can feel uncomfortable, informational interviews emphasize insight rather than job offers.

Connect with alumni and industry experts to learn about what they do and how they got there. Through this process, you can uncover opportunities and position yourself for success. Keep reading for practical tips on how to set up and make the most of your informational interviews.

1. Understand the Informational Interview

An informational interview is a brief conversation, usually 15 to 30 minutes, with a professional who works in a field you’re interested in or at an organization you’d like to learn more about. Believe it or not, many professionals are quite willing to meet and share insights about their career experiences.

These conversations help you:

• Learn what a typical day or week looks like in each role.
• Comprehend the real challenges and rewards of the profession.
• Discover what skills, education, or experiences are most valuable.
• Expand your professional network and build relationships that may help later.

2. Use UMGC’s Career Services Tools 

Career Services encourages students to draw on CareerQuest resources as early as their freshman year to begin building a network and aligning their academic path with their career goals.

UMGC’s career tools give you a major head start when you plan an informational interview:

• Community Connect: Reach out to UMGC alumni and professionals willing to provide guidance or schedule an informational interview.
• Candid Career+: Explore a comprehensive video library with thousands of informational interviews style videos, featuring industry professionals. Watch realistic, candid conversations to learn what to expect in different roles and sectors.
• Veteran Resources Center: Access a platform for military-affiliated students and veterans, offering centralized access to academic support, career resources, and transition guidance. Also, network with fellow servicemembers, connect with advisors, and stay informed about opportunities that support a successful move into civilian life for veterans through the Vessey Virtual Student Union.

3. Explore Your Network for Connections

Find UMGC alumni and industry professionals who are open to informational interviews through Community Connect. Besides alumni, another great place to begin might be to talk to one of your professors. Many UMGC faculty are working professionals, so they can provide you with unique and valuable insight about what it's like to work in your target field.

Also, reach out to professionals you discover via LinkedIn or in organizations related to your field of interest. When you do so, make sure to clearly state that you’re seeking advice and information, not a job. This respectful approach is typical for informational-interview outreach.

4. Schedule an Informational Interview

When contacting someone for an informational interview:

• Introduce yourself briefly (your name, that you’re a UMGC student or alumnus, your major or area of interest).
• Explain how you found them (e.g., Community Connect, LinkedIn, a shared group).
• Clearly state your goal, such as you’d like to learn more about their career path, day-to-day work, or industry. Do not ask for a job.
• Be flexible and respectful of their time (e.g., suggest a 15 to 30-minute call / virtual meeting, offer to work around their schedule).
• Reach out to at least two or three potential contacts, as availability can vary, and some individuals may be unable to meet within your preferred timeframe. Cast a slightly wider net to ensure you secure a conversation that fits your schedule.

Sample Email Template

Subject: Request for a Brief Informational Interview

Dear [Name],

I hope you’re doing well. My name is [Your Name], and I am a [Your Major] student at the University of Maryland Global Campus. I came across your profile through [Community Connect, LinkedIn, company website, referral, etc.], and I was inspired by your work in [industry/field or specific role].

I am currently exploring career paths in [target field/industry], and I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to learn from your experience. If you are open to it, I would be grateful for a brief 15–30 minute informational interview at a time that is convenient for you. I would love to hear about your career journey, your insights into the industry, and any advice you might offer to someone beginning their career in this area.

I understand you have a busy schedule, so I am flexible and happy to work around your availability. I am also glad to meet with you virtually or by phone, whichever you prefer.

Thank you in advance for considering my request. I truly appreciate your time, and I look forward to the possibility of connecting.

Warm regards,
[Your Name]
[UMGC Student | Degree Program]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number | Optional]
[LinkedIn Profile URL | Optional]

5. Prepare Thoughtful Questions

Going in with a prepared list of open-ended questions helps ensure you make the most of the meeting and gather meaningful insights. These types of questions help you go beyond surface-level descriptions and get a realistic sense of what working in the field is like. Here are some sample questions that work well:

• How did you get started in this field or role? What jobs and experiences led you to your current position?
• What does a typical day (or week) look like in this position?
• What do you enjoy most and least about your work?
• What advice would you give to a career transitioner in how to gain experience needed to enter your career field?
• What skills or educational background have served you best? Are there skills you wish you had developed earlier?
• What trends or changes are you seeing in the industry?
• What are the biggest challenges people encounter in this career path?
• What kinds of internships, training, or early-career experiences helped you or would help someone entering the field now?
• If you were in my position now (studying at UMGC or recent graduate), is there anything you would do differently to prepare?
• Are there other people you recommend I speak with to get a different perspective?

6. Be Professional and Curious

Even though it’s not a job interview, treat this conversation like a professional meeting:

• Be on time (or early), whether virtual or in-person, and dress appropriately if meeting face-to-face.
• Introduce yourself, mention why you asked to speak with them, and briefly share your background and interests.
• Use your prepared questions as a guide but let the conversation flow naturally. Allow the professional to share stories and insights.
• Take notes (if appropriate) and pay attention to not only what’s said but how the person describes their work, challenges, and satisfaction.

7. Follow Up and Reflect After the Interview

• Send a thank-you note or email expressing your appreciation for their time and insights.
• Reflect on what you learned, what surprised you, what resonated, and how this compares to your expectations.
• Consider next steps: Perhaps, connect with another professional they referred you to, explore internships, review interview tips, access skill-building resources (e.g., UMGC’s InternPLUS  or VMock), or conduct further research using Vault or Steppingblocks.