informational interview materials

informational interview materials

City College of San Francisco Biotechnology Program:

Description: As part of our Bioscience Career Exploration course we have students reach out to do informational interviews with those working in biotech/life sciences, including alumni.

Goal: Help students build a network in biotech and develop confidence talking with professionals/alumni currently working in the field.

This is an out of class assignment, although students are given class time to search for contacts utilizing LinkedIn and general Google searches in their areas of interest. Students are asked to identify 5 contacts and their email addresses on their own in a field of biotech/bioscience that interests them and draft an informational interview request email. Once the course instructor approves the contacts and draft email, students send out the email to the 5 contacts cc'ing the instructor. Students arrange and conduct the informational interviews on their own, this is preferably done in person, but over the phone can work if needed. After completing the informational interview students either write a short report or give a short oral report in class (to the whole class or in small groups). This assignment not only helps our students, but often helps build awareness of our program and brings in additional volunteers. This assignment can take several weeks to complete (outside of class) due to scheduling needs, so it's best to give the assignment early in the semester to ensure students have the time to complete it.

Informational Interview Preparation Document

Informational Interview Example Questions

Above are Sample Materials - Editable versions available to members of our collaborative - Join Our Collaborative

Additional resources to be added from other colleges & organizations as they are shared with our collaborative.

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