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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3 5:30-7:30PM CAMPUS CENTER MULTIPURPOSE ROOM brown.edu/careerlab PEER PEER TO
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 35:30-7:30PM
CAMPUS CENTERMULTIPURPOSE ROOM
brown.edu/careerlab
PEERPEERTO
Internships by Industry
10. Social Sciences
11. Health & Medicine
12. Education
13. Non-profit
14. Law, Government, Politics
15. Consulting
16. Finance
17. CareerLAB (informational table)
1. Advertising
2. Arts
3. Journalism
4. Media & Entertainment
5. Computer Science & Technology
6. Engineering
7. Life Sciences
8. Entrepreneurship
9. Social Entrepreneurship
Internship Industry
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ENTRANCE
Registration
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This page lists student volunteers by industry. Descriptions include student name, organization, location of opportunity, how their opportunity was funded, and how they secured it.
PEERS & INTERNSHIP INFORMATION BY INDUSTRY Advertising Section 1 Eva Gonzalez ‘15 -‐ Bloomingdale's New York, NY Opportunity was funded through my employer. Secured through: CareerLAB, Women in Business Destin Sisemore ‘15 -‐ VoloMetrix (startup) Seattle, WA Opportunity was funded through my employer. Secured through: Personal connection/network
Arts Section 2 Tara Avril-‐Tucker ‘15 -‐ Shrutibox Music, Inc. Mumbai Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: Personal connection/network Xiao Liang ‘14.5 -‐ Sephora, Christie's San Francisco, CA Opportunity was funded through my employer. Secured through: Personal connection/network, General posting outside of Brown
Journalism Section 3 Melanie Abeygunawardana ‘16 -‐ ITEM Media Plymouth Meeting, PA Opportunity was unpaid. Secured through: General posting outside of Brown Maria Jose Herrera ‘17 -‐ Manhattan Sideways New York, NY Opportunity was funded through my employer. Secured through: CareerLAB, Personal connection/network
Media/Entertainment Section 4 Corbin Booker ‘15 -‐ NBCUniversal New York, NY Opportunity was funded through my employer. Secured through: Personal connection/network Asia Nelson ‘15 -‐ British Broadcasting Company (BBC) New York, NY Opportunity was funded through my employer. Secured through: T-‐Howard Foundation Sheila Sitaram ‘15 – Vogue, Camilla Nickerson Inc. New York, NY Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: Personal connection/network
Computer Science & Technology Section 5 Dulamtseren (Dulma) Altan ‘14.5 -‐ Red Antler San Francisco, CA Opportunity was funded through my employer. Secured through: Personal connection/network Max Dimich-‐Louvet 15 -‐ Eutelsat Paris France Opportunity was funded through my employer. Secured through: Another Brown office or department Viktor Gavrielov ‘15 -‐ SIG Bala Cynwyd, PA Opportunity was funded through my employer. Secured through: CareerLAB, Another Brown office or department Hyun Sik Kim ‘15 -‐ Akamai Technologies Cambridge, MA Opportunity was funded through my employer. Secured through: Another Brown office or department Michael Murphy ‘15 -‐ Treyarch Santa Monica, CA Opportunity was funded through my employer. Secured through: General posting outside of Brown
Engineering Section 6 Dalia Ruiz ‘16 -‐ Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: Personal connection/network
This page lists student volunteers by industry. Descriptions include student name, organization, location of opportunity, how their opportunity was funded, and how they secured it.
PEERS & INTERNSHIP INFORMATION BY INDUSTRY Life Sciences Section 7 Hank Baker ‘15 -‐ Marine Biological Laboratory Woods Hole, MA Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: CareerLAB, Personal connection/network Signe Caksa ‘16 -‐ Department of Biochemistry, University of Geneva Switzerland Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: Contacting Biochemistry labs & professors directly Entrepreneurship Section 8 Anastasia Gillen ‘15 -‐ Gilbane Development Company Providence, RI Opportunity was funded through my employer. Secured through: Personal connection/network Alter Jackson ‘15 -‐ Quicken Loans Detroit, MI Opportunity was funded through my employer. Secured through: General posting outside of Brown Hannah Kimmel ‘15 -‐ Sir Kensington's New York, NY Opportunity was funded through my employer. Secured through: CareerLAB Social Entrepreneurship Section 9 Brett Anders ‘15 -‐ Vision Ridge Partners Boulder, CO Opportunity was funded through my employer. Secured through: CareerLAB Julianna Bradley ‘17 -‐ Social Entrepreneur Corps Cuenca, Ecuador Opportunity was unpaid. Secured through: General posting outside of Brown Anna Delamerced ‘16 -‐ Noah's Ark Park in Hong Kong Hong Kong Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: CareerLAB, Another Brown office or department Fiora MacPherson ‘16 -‐ Social Innovation Initiative, Student Language Exchange Boston, MA Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: Another Brown office or department Tomas Quinonez-‐Riegos ‘15 -‐ Ashoka Mexico City Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: Personal connection/network Social Sciences Section 10 Emorie Beck ‘15.5 -‐ Attitude and Decision-‐Making Lab -‐ University of Missouri Columbia, MO Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: Personal research / contacted researcher Vivien Caetano ‘15 -‐ Harvard Kennedy School Cambridge, MA Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: Personal connection/network Esme Ricciardi ‘15 -‐ Consortium on Gender, Security, and Human Rights Boston, MA Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: other university's career website Mary Sketch ‘15 -‐ College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana Missoula, MT Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: Personal connection/network
This page lists student volunteers by industry. Descriptions include student name, organization, location of opportunity, how their opportunity was funded, and how they secured it.
PEERS & INTERNSHIP INFORMATION BY INDUSTRY Social Sciences Section 10 Kristen Sorgi ‘15 -‐ The Quad Manhattan New York, NY Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: General posting outside of Brown Alexx Temena ‘16 -‐ Gilbert Laboratory, Dept. of Psychology at Harvard University Cambridge, MA Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: Another Brown office or department Health & Medicine Section 11 Divya Bhatia ‘15 -‐ Boston Medical Center, Shakti Krupa NGO in India Boston, MA & India Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: Personal connection/network Donovan Dennis ‘16 -‐ Robert Wood Johnson Foundation + AAMC (Yale) New Haven, CT Opportunity was funded through my employer. Secured through: Personal connection/network Jessica Faraj ‘15 -‐ Injury Prevention Center Providence, RI Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: Another Brown office or department, Personal connection/network Eric Foreman ‘15 -‐ Performance Physical Therapy Providence, RI Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: Personal connection/network Rebecca Forman ‘16 -‐ Kenya Heart and Sole Boston, MA & Paris Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: Personal connection/network Gabrielle Goodrow ‘16 -‐ Green & Healthy Homes RI Online Opportunity was unpaid. Secured through: Personal connection/network, Brown University Student Organization Nar Gulvartian ‘15 -‐ Dual Program b/w University of Pennsylvania Health Philadelphia, PA System and Thomas Jefferson Medical College Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: Personally contacting Carolina Guzman Holst ‘16 -‐ Rhode Island Hospital Department of Psychiatry Providence, RI Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: Internet Search Ke'ala Morrell ‘15 -‐ The Brown University AIDS Program Providence, RI Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: Blind call Elina Pliakos ‘16 -‐ Rhode Island Hospital Providence, RI Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: Personal connection/network Education Section 12 Benjamin Berke ‘16 -‐ Department of Education New York, NY Funded through both the employer and Brown. Secured through: CareerLAB Armani Madison ‘16 -‐ Brown University Division of Advancement Providence, RI Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: Another Brown office or department
This page lists student volunteers by industry. Descriptions include student name, organization, location of opportunity, how their opportunity was funded, and how they secured it.
PEERS & INTERNSHIP INFORMATION BY INDUSTRY Education Section 12 Madeleine Muzdakis ‘16 -‐ Plimoth Plantation Plymouth, MA Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: General posting outside of Brown Miriam Rollock ‘15 -‐ NYC Department of Education New York, NY Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: CareerLAB, Careers in the Common Good in New York City Jonathan Sit ‘15 -‐ Breakthrough Greater Boston Boston, MA Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: Personal connection/network, General posting outside of Brown Maahika Srinivasan ‘15 -‐ iProv/City Hall Providence, RI Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: CareerLAB, Another Brown office or department Alexandra Urban ‘15 -‐ Symphony Learning LLC Boston, MA Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: CareerLAB Non-‐Profit Section 13 Rheem Brooks ‘16 -‐ Sisters Inside Australia Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: I found the organization in a book I read, so I contacted them to see if they would accept me as an intern. Augusta Clarke ‘15 -‐ The Trust for Public Land Bozeman, MT Opportunity was unpaid. Secured through: Personal connection/network Sophia Dalce ‘15 -‐ Teach For America New York, NY Opportunity was funded through my employer. Secured through: Personal connection/network, General posting outside of Brown Emma Dickson ‘16 -‐ The Clinton Foundation New York, NY Opportunity was unpaid. Secured through: Independent Research Candice Ellis ‘16 -‐ Brown University Office of Development Providence, RI Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: Another Brown office or department Alexander Herbert-‐Rapport ‘15 -‐ Japan Society of New York New York, NY Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: General posting outside of Brown Ariana Lee ‘15 -‐ Community Outreach and Patient Empowerment Gallup, NM Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: Personal connection/network Tiara Mack ‘16 -‐ Planned Parenthood of Southern New England Providence, RI Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: CareerLAB Danielle Phan ‘16 -‐ Seva Mandir India Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: Another Brown office or department
This page lists student volunteers by industry. Descriptions include student name, organization, location of opportunity, how their opportunity was funded, and how they secured it.
PEERS & INTERNSHIP INFORMATION BY INDUSTRY Non-‐Profit Section 13 Sabin Ray ‘15 -‐ CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) Germany Partially funded by employer & scholarship. Secured through: Cultural Vistas-‐-‐finds internships in Germany Alissa Rhee ‘16 -‐ Builders of Promise Detroit, MI Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: Personal connection/network Law, Government, Politics Section 14 Stephen Ark ‘14.5 -‐ The White House Washington, DC Opportunity was unpaid. Secured through: Personal connection/network, General posting outside of Brown Audrey Cho ‘15 -‐ The White House -‐ Office of Presidential Correspondence Washington, DC Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: CareerLAB David Chy ‘15.5 -‐ Office of the Attorney General of Rhode Island Providence, RI Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: Personal connection/network, RI State Government Internship Program Austin Cole ‘15 -‐ US Department of State Washington, DC Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: CareerLAB Ayanda Collins ‘16 -‐ City of Providence Providence. RI Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: CareerLAB, Another Brown office or department Sophie Duncan ‘16 -‐ Healthy Communities Office and Farm Fresh Rhode Islan Providence, RI Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: CareerLAB Jasmine Fuller ‘15 -‐ District Office of Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema (AZ09) Phoenix, AZ Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: General posting outside of Brown Meghan Holloway ‘16 -‐ White House Washington, DC Opportunity was unpaid. Secured through: General posting outside of Brown Samuel Karlin ‘16 -‐ Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General Providence, RI Opportunity was unpaid, but eligible for LINK financing. Secured through: General posting outside of Brown Isabella Levy ‘16 -‐ Sierra Club Washington, DC Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: General posting outside of Brown Yaroslav Melnyk ‘16 -‐ Textron Providence, RI Opportunity was funded through my employer. Secured through: CareerLAB, Personal connection/network Anna Pierobon ‘16 -‐ South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre India Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: CareerLAB
This page lists student volunteers by industry. Descriptions include student name, organization, location of opportunity, how their opportunity was funded, and how they secured it.
PEERS & INTERNSHIP INFORMATION BY INDUSTRY Law, Government, Politics Section 14 Elena Saltzman ‘16 -‐ The White House (2014), U.S. Department of Education (2013) Washington, DC Opportunity was unpaid. Secured through: General posting outside of Brown Adam Waters ‘15 -‐ Council on Foreign Relations Washington, DC Received funding for my opportunity through Brown (e.g. LINK, UTRA, Swearer Center). Secured through: Another Brown office or department Consulting Section 15 Steven Adler ‘15 -‐ Altman Vilandrie & Company Boston, MA Opportunity was funded through my employer. Secured through: CareerLAB Vidur Joshi ‘16 -‐ Locus Analytics New York, NY Opportunity was funded through my employer. Secured through: CareerLAB Ria Mirchandani ‘15 -‐ Brightspot New York, NY Opportunity was funded through my employer. Secured through: Linkedin Neel Yalamarthy ‘15 -‐ CO OP Brand Partners (Havas) New York, NY Opportunity was funded through my employer. Secured through: General posting outside of Brown Finance Section 16 Alex Drechsler ‘15 -‐ Goldman Sachs New York, NY Opportunity was funded through my employer. Secured through: CareerLAB, Personal connection/network William Gregory ‘16 -‐ DeSilva and Phillips Madison, WI Opportunity was funded through my employer. Secured through: Cold Calling Steph Hennings ‘15 -‐ Goldman Sachs New York, NY Opportunity was funded through my employer. Secured through: Personal connection/network Patrick O'Neill ‘15 -‐ Goldman Sachs, Ltd. Tokyo, Japan Opportunity was funded through my employer. Secured through: Personal connection/network Sarah Park ‘16 -‐ Goldman Sachs New York, NY Opportunity was funded through my employer. Secured through: CareerLAB Dakotah Rice ‘16 -‐ Goldman Sachs New York, NY Opportunity was funded through my employer. Secured through: General posting outside of Brown
Opportunities Galore
UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING AND RESEARCH AWARDS (UTRA) Karen T. Romer Undergraduate Teaching and Research Awards (UTRAs) support Brown students collaborating with Brown faculty on research and teaching projects during the summer or the academic year. Named for the dean who launched the program in the 1980s, UTRAs provide students with valuable academic experience that prepares them for graduate study and that contributes directly to course development at Brown. In 2014, through a partnership with the University’s Center for Digital Scholarship, the UTRA program developed a mechanism for preserving the scholarship of undergraduate research by achieving UTRA research poster presentations in the Brown Digital Repository. http://www.brown.edu/utra
WATSON INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES Michael Bhatia Fund for Peace-keeping and Conflict Studies It is awarded to a student who, like Michael Bhatia '99, hopes to deepen his/her understanding of a region or culture by traveling and studying there, with the ultimate goal of helping to promote cross-cultural understanding that might end or avert violence or military conflict. Amount: Project-dependent Eligibility: IR concentrator doing work for IR concentration credit Application deadline: Rolling deadline (Winter break: mid-October, Spring break: mid-March) Watson Sponsored Summer Internship Awards Watson Summer Internship awards fund low-paying or unpaid summer internships with an international focus in areas related to the Institute's core research areas of security, development, and governance and its mission to promote a just and peaceful world. Internships may be in the US or abroad. Eligibility: Concentrators in International Relations (IR) or Development Studies (DS). Application deadline: Mar 31 The Watson Institute for International Studies UTRAs Established by the Watson Institute for International Studies in 2014. These UTRAs support collaborative summer research projects with Institute-affiliated faculty on projects that enhance teaching and learning in at least one of the Institute’s three core research areas: security, development, and governance, and support its mission to promote a just and peaceful world. Preference is given to students concentrating in International Relations or Development Studies. Eligibility: Concentrators in International Relations (IR) or Development Studies (DS). Application deadline: Feb 10 The Marla Ruzicka International Public Service Fellowship The Marla Ruzicka International Fellowship provides $3,500 to support the summer plans of one Brown undergraduate who displays the characteristics of compassion, determination, and selflessness in the pursuit of international human rights, post-conflict rehabilitation, or international public service in its most noble spirit, and whose summer plans reflect those traits. Application deadline: Mar 31 Jack Ringer Summer in Southeast Asia Fellowship The Jack Ringer Summer in Southeast Asia Fellowship is made possible through the generosity of Jack Ringer '52, who served in Burma after graduating from Brown. The award provides Brown students with up to $4,000 to support summer travel to Southeast Asia to conduct research or work in an internship. Application deadline: Mar 31 If you have any other questions please contact [email protected]
Opportunities Galore
SWEARER CENTER FOR PUBLIC SERVICE Spend next summer exploring social impact with the Swearer Center for Public Service! The Swearer Center offers a variety of paid summer opportunities for students, including fellowships, internships, and community work. Our fellowships offer funding and support for individual projects ranging from community-based research to building social ventures. The iProv Summer Internship program provides paid positions with local nonprofit organizations and government agencies. Students may also apply for paid positions to work in Providence with school-aged children, or our Off Campus Federal Work-Study program, which enables eligible undergraduate federal work-study award recipients to hold paid community service jobs. Please visit our website, www.brown.edu/swearercenter for details on all of our exciting summer opportunities.
FINANCIAL AID SPONSORED OPPORTUNITIES Summer Earnings Waivers (SEW) are open to financial aid recipients who are eligible for University Scholarship. The award waives the annual summer earnings requirement -- for summer 2014, this amount was $3,050. The award is contingent upon the student's continued eligibility for University Scholarship in the 2015-16 award year. SEWs are available through both the LINK and UTRA programs and students can apply directly to those programs to apply for a SEW. It should be noted that students can receive one SEW during their four years at Brown.
LEADERSHIP ALLIANCE The SR-EIP is a rigorous research experience designed specifically for undergraduates interested in applying to PhD or MD-PhD programs and provides training and mentoring for underrepresented students seeking a research career in the sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities. Students work for eight to ten weeks in the summer under the guidance of a faculty or research mentor at a participating Leadership Alliance institution. Students gain theoretical knowledge and practical training in academic research and scientific experimentation. All participants make oral or poster presentations of their research at the Leadership Alliance National Symposium. Students receive a stipend in addition to travel and housing expenses being covered by the host institution. The SR-EIP online application is found at www.theleadershipalliance.org. With one application, students can apply for a research experience at up to three of the 21 research sites, but may not apply to the program at their home institution. The application period is November 1, 2014 to February 1, 2015. Contact Barbara Kahn, Program Coordinator, at [email protected], 401-863-7994. The Leadership Alliance is located at 133 Waterman Street, Providence.
401-863-3326 167 Angell Street, Hemisphere Building, Providence, RI brown.edu/careerlab
Networking70%
STEP 1
STEP 3
Identify two to four industries to pursue
STEP 2 Master resume and cover letter writing
Engage in internship search
STEP 4 Prepare for phone and/or in-person interview
BrownConnect Search Tool*Linkedin/Facebook Alumni Groups3 Fs - Family, Friends, Faculty/ Campus SpeakersPast SupervisorsHigh School Alumni
E-mail to set up a phone appointment2 part conversation
Tell about yourselfAsk for advice
Start to schedule conversations now
Cold Calling
I’m a sophomore at Brown University, and I see that you’re involved in TV sitcom development. Is there someone I could speak to about a possible internship?
10%Applying20%BrownConnect Search Tool*UCAN DatabaseOrganizations suggestedvia networkingUSAjobs.com - Government internshipsLinks from industry
Idealist.orgMediabistro.comTalentzoo.comSciencejobs.orgGreencareersguide.comBackstagejobs.com
Selective and occassionalCalling is better than email
How to Find an Internship
International Opportunities Going Global Transitions Abroad Academic Credit - Brown’s Policy
I’m interested in your work as an astronaut. Can we set up a time to speak on the phone so I could ask you about your experience in the field?
Access internship opportunities from a varietyof sources, including campus recruiting, facultyreferrals, and postings from alumni, parents and
friends in key industries and geographies.Identify alumni at listing organizations.
brownconnect.brown.edu
*BrownConnect Search Tool
Walk-in Hours Monday - Friday
1:30-3:30pm
Questions?
LINK Funding
Things to Consider
Networking/Informational Interviewing
401-863-3326 167 Angell Street, Hemisphere Building, Providence, RI brown.edu/careerlab
GOALS Networking is about relationship building. In all careers, people develop groups of contacts with whom they share information and resources in ways that are mutually productive. The relationships that people develop in their networks evolve over time and can last for decades. Professional networks don’t just happen; they are created. Whether you’re looking for an internship, a summer job, or your first full-time position after graduation, you need to connect with people who can advise you on your search and help you access opportunities. Eventually, you will be in a position to return the favor or to pass it on to the next generation of young people.
STEP 1: FIND POTENTIAL CONTACTS • BRUnet –Brown’s online career network at
alumni.brown.edu is searchable by industry, organization, geographic location and more.
• 3 F’s – Ask family, faculty, and friends for the names of people you might approach
• Former/current supervisors – Even those working in unrelated fields may know someone
• Online – Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter • High School – Look into alumni databases,
and talk to coaches, teachers, and counselors
STEP 2: ORGANIZE YOUR CONTACTS • Identify 3-5 interest areas – Visit
brown.edu/careerlab/advising to schedule an appointment with a CareerLAB advisor for help with this.
• Create Spreadsheet – Each column represents an interest area. For each column, list the professional contacts. Include their contact information and their relationship to you
• Follow-up – Once you’ve communicated with a contact, make notes about next steps.
STEP 3: MAKE INITIAL CONTACT Introductory phone call or email – The goal of this message is to schedule an informational interview with your contact. Your message should focus on your interest in the work of the contact and it must be brief.
Sample Email
Subject: Career Inquiry from a Brown Student
Dear Ms. Jones: Professor Smith at Brown University suggested I contact you to discuss your work as a magazine editor. I am interested in editing as a possible career field and would like to learn more about the nature of the work. Are you available for a phone conversation to discuss your professional experience with me? Tuesdays and Thursdays after 3pm are best for me, but I am flexible and almost any time would work. I hope to hear from you soon.
Best regards, Ima Student
STEP 4: HAVE THE CONVERSATION • Generate questions – Once you’ve scheduled a phone or in-person informational interview, plan ahead.
What questions will you ask? In what sequence? See the reverse side of this sheet for sample questions. • Begin and end with gratitude – Etiquette counts! Begin and end by thanking your contact for making
time to speak with you. Reiterate your interest in the field and let them know they have been helpful. • Wear a reporter’s hat – Think of yourself as a BDH reporter writing a profile on your contact. Your job is
to ask questions and to listen. The interview is not about you—it is about your contact. • It’s not about you – Many contacts will ask you questions about your education, background, and other
experiences. Any information you share about yourself should be brief and to the point. Get back to your questions quickly.
Sample Questions Career path ♦ How did you select this career? What was your first
job?
♦ Are there alternate routes to the same career/job?
♦ What are the levels or steps in this career?
♦ What do you like most about your work? What do you find most challenging?
Daily activities & work culture ♦ What is your typical day like? Is there a typical work
schedule?
♦ Is overtime, flextime, part-time, job-sharing, travel required or possible?
♦ What is your work environment like? Casual or formal? Fast-paced or relaxed? Team-oriented or independent?
♦ What types of people thrive in this environment/career?
♦ How well can career and family responsibilities be managed in this field?
Entry-level positions ♦ What type of training is provided?
♦ What is the typical salary range?
♦ How much autonomy is there?
Education/training/experience necessary ♦ What background, skills, or experiences are
necessary?
♦ Are there particular courses I should take? Does a particular concentration / major make a difference?
♦ Is a graduate degree necessary for an entry-level position? For advancement within the field?
♦ Is an internship advisable? What recommendations do you have for such internships?
♦ Are there gaps in my resume that need to be filled?
I want to learn more ♦ Can you recommend someone else whom I might talk
to?
♦ What professional organizations are active and helpful to students?
♦ Are there journals, magazines, or websites that you recommend I read?
♦ What question haven’t I asked you that I should be thinking about?
♦ What is the best career advice you have ever received?
♦ Do you have any more advice or suggestions for me?
Closing Ask for job/internship search advice – Never ask your contacts if they are hiring, which can be annoying. It’s more effective to ask for their general advice on your search. Example:
Thank you very much for taking the time to speak with me today. Our conversation has been very helpful. I am still looking for a job (or internship) in this field and am wondering if you have any suggestions or advice for me.
STEP 5: FOLLOW UP
• Send a thank you note – An email is fine, although a mailed note handwritten on stationery is still the gold standard. Whatever the form, write 4-6 sentences in which you: o reiterate your gratitude o mention something specific from the conversation (“I especially enjoyed hearing about your trip to
Brazil”) o confirm that you will follow up on the contact’s suggestions
• Pursue leads – Follow up on your contact’s suggestions, whether it is a particular job listing, an organization to check out, or a specific person in the field. The key is to follow up as quickly as possible.
• Update spreadsheet –Enter a few notes about the conversation. Include suggestions for follow up: Told me to contact her again in 6 weeks.
• Invite to connect via LinkedIn – Use the invite to thank them again for taking the time to speak with you.
