Here are some quick tips I would like to share that will help you along your successful career journey. Although we often have preconceived notions of what it’s like to work in a specific field, finding out from first-hand sources is invaluable in shaping your planning and preparation for success. These tips will assist you in better understanding your target industry and ultimately help you better define your career objectives.
Let’s get started
Tip 1: Ask Yourself First
Start by asking yourself once again this not-so-simple question: “What are my career objectives? What do I want to do?”
It is not always crystal clear to us what exactly we want to do. We often have a general idea (i.e., I want to work for that Fortune 100 company or even become a CEO of a startup idea with my fellow classmates) but have difficulty narrowing the focus. This is because many industries have subfields. Many industries are also comprised of generalist and specialist.
Tip 2: Talk to Professors and Career Advisers
Ask yourself who are the subject matter experts and thought leaders in the industry related to your field of study?
You are very fortunate in this regard because many of your professors will meet these criteria. It is extremely important to talk to your professors and CLS adviser(s) about your career aspirations. Get some feedback from them. See if they know other industry leaders currently working in your field of study that are willing to be interviewed by you.
Tip 3: Conduct Informational Interviews
Conduct informational interviews with at least three experts/thought leaders outside of the college that are currently working in your intended field.
The purpose of these informational interviews are to:
- Get a general first-hand overview of the industry.
- Find out what day-to-day work activities are like for the specific person you are interviewing.
- Find out what major changes may impact the industry in the not-too-distant future.
Best practices include planning your time well and preparing questions ahead of the interview. Take good notes, and be sure to thank your interviewee promptly and professionally for their time.
Tip 4: Assess the Informational interview information
Now that you have this invaluable feedback from experts in the field. It is time to put it to use. First, go over your notes and assess the informational interview information.
- Did the interviews provide insights to help broaden your focus?
- Did they make you want to specialize in a specific niche of your field?
- Did they reinforce that you should stay the course with your career goals?
- Were there any major surprises that came from these interviews?
Tip 5: Make a Game Plan for Success
The next step is to meet with your professor and/or CLS career adviser again and create a game plan for your future success. Share with them the insights, questions, or even concerns that you may have.
You’re on Your Way
- You now have a better idea of what life’s really like working in your desired field from leaders in the industry.
- You also were the interviewer of well-respected people in the industry, as opposed to the interviewee, which should increase your confidence.
- You also have a better feel of what sort of major changes the industry may experience soon.
Anthony Ross is the founder and Director of Environmental & Public Health International (EPHI). Prior to forming EPHI in July 2021, he served as an Environmental Scientist for over 12 years with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He served as the EPA’s Flint Safe Drinking Water Act Emergency Coordinator during the Flint Water Crisis. He was responsible for coordinating efforts to ensure safe drinking water for the people of Flint. He helped Flint and the state of Michigan develop strategies to replace lead service lines in Flint at a very high rate while maintaining Lead and Copper Rule compliance.
