Informational interviews are short meeting with professionals during which you ask them about their careers and how they got to where they are today. Sometimes, talking to a professional in the field you are interested in is exactly what you need. These interviews can be in person or via video chat. If you are struggling to get started, find a professor at your current institution or alma mater and reach out to them.

To the left, there is a template for an email to request an informational interview from someone along with an example.

Check out Interviewing for tips on preparing for an interview.

Volunteering is typically a great way to get hands-on experience exploring an area of interest. Different groups/organizations will have different ways of working with volunteers, so your experience may vary drastically within a field.

What you are allowed to do may be limited, but make sure to ask plenty of questions.

As volunteering is unpaid and your time is limited, you will need to be smart about where you choose to volunteer. Are you being treated with respect? Are they giving you opportunity for growth and exploration?

Exploring a field by through classes has many pros and cons. Before jumping into a course, look at your degree requirements or talk to your academic advisor to see how a given course could satisfy degree requirements if you are currently working towards a degree.

Taking a class is a great way to meet people with similar interests. It can also give you a more accurate understanding of what academics in the field are interested in.

On the other hand, regular homework, exams, and projects on top of an already busy schedule can make this an unpleasant experience. Additionally, unsupportive and difficult teachers are a major roadblock.

There are many online learning platforms, such as Coursera and Udemy, you can take classes on which would make this a more cost effective option.

There are many websites that offer free tutorials you can follow. You can either search for one yourself, or you can ask peers. Here are some of our favorites:

• Crash Course: Learn about a wide variety of topics and follow along with their tutorials to develop practical skills.

• InterSECT Job Simulations: Get a virtual peek into what it would really be like working in a field.

• The Partnership in Education: Learn about health and the body through a variety of mediums, including interactive apps, teaching materials, and readings.

It is sometimes possible to explore and develop your interests within current jobs or classes. Some classes have project components; is there any way to design the project to incorporate your interests?

If you are working or in an RLC, is your manager/mentor receptive to you focusing on areas related to your interests? Some research mentors are open to having students independently design and lead their own projects. It is good for your professional development to regularly have conversations with your mentors about your interests and how they relate to the research you are doing.

As for non-research jobs, focus on developing the skills that you need to pursue your interests. Leadership skills, project design, and event organization are examples of transferrable skills that you may be able to develop through a current job.

Job shadowing is where you follow a professional on the job and learn about what they do. This is a very common way to learn more in fields like medicine and dentistry. While it is less common in other fields, you still find job shadowing opportunities.

The key here is finding a professional who will let you shadow them. You can use find professionals near where you live that you would like to shadow through web searches or with LinkedIn. If you know someone in a field of interest, either directly or through connections, you are more likely to score a job shadowing opportunity. Utilize your networks.