Redlands Edge: Informational Interview Guide
A guide to help students complete their Informational Interview Edge Program Elective
How This Guide Helps You Complete the Edge Requirement
To complete the Informational Interview Program component, you will use this guide to prepare for, conduct, and reflect on your informational interview.
After completing your interview, submit the following information in the Informational Interview Edge Navigate Journey (300-word minimum):
- List Interviewee’s name, job title, company, and if they are an alumni (Y/N).
- What did you learn from the person you interviewed about their career and skills?
- What went well, and what would you do differently next time?
- How did this shape your thinking about your own career path?
- Create 1-3 bullet point you could later use on a resume or LinkedIn profile to describe this experience.
This guide is designed to help you confidently complete these requirements by identifying who to contact, asking thoughtful questions, reflecting on what you learned, and translating the experience into a career-ready takeaway.
Also, because these interactions often occur with alumni and professionals beyond campus, they serve as a reflection of both your professional identity and the University of Redlands. These conversations should be approached thoughtfully, professionally, and with respect for the other person’s time.
What is an Informational Interview?
An informational interview is a short, informal conversation (usually 15–30 minutes) with someone working in a career field you are curious about. This is not a job interview. Instead, it’s a way to explore careers, learn about different paths, and gain insight into what professionals actually do day to day.
Informational interviews help you move beyond online research by learning directly from someone with real-world experience.
Why Complete an Informational Interview?
Informational interviews help you:
- Explore careers before choosing a major, internship, or job
- Build confidence talking with professionals
- Learn how academic interests connect to real-world work
- Begin building a professional network of people who can support your journey
These conversations give you practice communicating professionally and help you make more informed decisions about your future.
Who Can You Talk To?
You do not need to already know the person. Appropriate contacts include:
- Professionals working in a field you’re curious about
- Family friends or community members with careers you admire
- University of Redlands alumni
Where to Find People
- LinkedIn (search by job title, company, or alumni)
- OCPD, other university staff, or faculty connections
- Professors, supervisors, or student organization advisors
How to Reach Out
Reaching out can feel intimidating—but it doesn’t have to be. Below are messages you can copy and adapt.
Sample LinkedIn Message
Hi [Name], I’m a University of Redlands student exploring careers in [field]. I came across your work in [role/company] and would love to learn about your path. Would you be open to chatting?
Sample Email
Hi [Name],
My name is [Your Name], and I’m a student at the University of Redlands. I’m interested in learning more about [industry/role], and I would appreciate the opportunity to ask you a few questions if you have 15–20 minutes available. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best,
[Your Name]
Questions You Could Ask
You don’t need to ask everything—come up with 5-6 questions that feel natural. Here are several examples:
About their path
- Can you walk me through your career path so far?
- What was your first role after college, and how did it lead to where you are now?
About their skills
- What skills are most important for success in your role?
- What skills did you need to learn on the job rather than in school?
About the role
- What does a typical day look like?
- What parts of the job are most challenging and/or rewarding?
Advice
- What do you wish you knew as a student?
- What experiences helped you the most?
What to Do After the Conversation
- Send a thank-you message
Thank you again for taking the time to speak with me. I really appreciated learning about [topic].
Completing the Edge Requirement
Once you complete the informational interview and send your thank you message:
- Staff will review and approve your submission and update your Edge progress.
- Submit interviewee information, reflection, and bullet points in the Informational Interview Edge Navigate Journey
