Informational Interview

Designed to meet specific learning objectives, informational interviews are educationally rich, tied to the curriculum, and help students connect what they are learning in school with the workplace. Unlike a guest speaker activity, where speakers usually address a group in the classroom, informational interviews are one-to-one interactions and generally take place at the company’s workplace. They may also be conducted via telephone – ideally utilizing Face-time or Skype.

Interviews help provide students with a realistic picture of a business, its role in the community, and the career paths and occupations of its workforce. The activities are designed to:

• Provide exposure to potential careers and jobs.
• Help students make the connection between school and the workplace.
• Inform career planning.

Interviews offer an opportunity for students to begin identifying areas of career interest. The activities are structured to:

• 
  Offer students the chance to practice and demonstrate key professional skills, including communication, critical thinking, workplace appearance, and timeliness.
• Build knowledge about the education and training needed for a particular job, career path, and entry into the industry.

Interviews are supported by three formats that deliver unique experiences to students and employers. The activities are organized through:

• Classroom preparation, including research on the industry and participating businesses.
• Employer orientation and support.
• Opportunities to reflect upon the experience orally and in writing.

Interviews help students learn about future workplace opportunities through conversations business partners in the community. The activities are connected to:

• Individual career development/training plans.
• Future work-based learning activities.
• The student's next steps.