Make "Science-Adjacent" Connections with Informational Interviewing
Science policy/comms networking motto: It's not what you know, but who you know.
Hi, Fancy Comma newsletter readers! Sheeva here. It’s been a busy summer and I’m scrambling to get all of our blog posts and newsletters (as much as possible) scheduled so I can dedicate my time to substitute teaching to pay the bills. In our current economic climate, I’m leaning more on genAI and learning prompt engineering and I assume others are doing the same, hence a slowdown in clients — it’s powerful, but definitely has its limitations, and I can’t wait to have more time to write (this newsletter is a robotic chimera: half me, half genAI).
I am also helping elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the battleground state of Arizona (a great place that loves science so much that they elected a literal ASTRONAUT as their senator!). I recently founded Scientists for Harris for scientists nationwide and on August 9, visited Arizona for the Harris-Walz rally (which featured other amazing, pro-science lawmakers such as aforementioned NASA astronaut and naval aviator Sen. Mark Kelly, his wife the former Rep. Gabby Giffords, and others. Please bear with us in the current season as we may not be around the web until after election day. 74 MORE DAYS! (Yessss.)
Earlier in August, I lectured to science policy students taking a course at the University of California-Irvine. They asked a lot of good questions about leveraging your science background to get into science writing and science policy, and giving my answers to their questions, I realized that networking is actually a huge part of what I call “science-adjacent fields” — things like science communication, science policy, science marketing, science writing, and so on. These are jobs that people might be interested in, but there are so few people engaged in this work, and it’s often not super high-profile, so it can be difficult to know where to start if you want to go this route.
Informational Interviewing in the “Science-Adjacent” World
When I think about what helped me the most in my current career, it’s been informational interviewing — even if it didn’t directly help me get jobs. A lot of times, talking to people, I realized I was not qualified for or not interested in jobs after informational interviews with a person in the industry.
Informational interviewing isn’t unique to these types of jobs, by the way — it’s a powerful tool for anyone looking to explore new career paths, gain insights into specific industries, or expand their professional network. It involves speaking with professionals in a field of interest to gather insights about their career paths, industry trends, and job roles. Unlike job interviews, the goal in informational interviewing is not to secure a position but to learn and network.
Informational interviews offer a chance to understand the day-to-day realities of a job, learn about the skills needed, and gain insider knowledge that can be invaluable for career planning in general. Keep reading for a bit more on informational interviewing and some practical steps you can apply in your own career path.
What You Get from Informational Interviewing
Informational interviews provide several benefits:
Networking Opportunities: They help you connect with professionals who can offer guidance and potentially introduce you to others in their network.
Career Insights: You gain firsthand knowledge about what it’s like to work in a particular field, helping you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
Skill Development: By interacting with successful individuals, you learn about the skills and qualities needed to succeed in their industry.
Confidence Building: These interviews improve your interpersonal skills and confidence in speaking with professionals in your field.
For example, reaching out to a staffer in a congressional office can provide insights into securing internships or jobs on Capitol Hill.
Here’s an infographic we created for our blog post, Best Practices for Informational Interviewing. Keep reading this newsletter for some more specific tips related to establishing and maintaining networks.
How to Find People to Interview
Finding the right people to interview can be done through several channels:
Your Network: Start with people you know who might have connections in your field of interest. You can also use LinkedIn to identify professionals in your desired industry and reach out to them, or get in touch with people you follow on Facebook or Twitter who have jobs that interest you.
Mentorship Websites: Websites like JournalismMentors or Digital Women Leaders offer networking and mentorship opportunities in the communications and journalism spaces.
How to Cold Email People
When reaching out to potential interviewees, crafting a thoughtful and concise email is crucial. Here’s a template to consider:
Subject: Informational Interview Request
Email Body:
Hello [Name],
I hope this message finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I am currently exploring opportunities in [Industry/Field]. I came across your profile while researching professionals in this area and was intrigued by your work at [Company/Organization]. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to speak with you for 15-20 minutes to learn more about your career path and gain insights into the industry. Your expertise would be invaluable to help me navigate [Your Career or Networking Goals Here].
Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to the possibility of speaking with you.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Conducting the Informational Interview
Once you’ve secured an interview, preparation is key. Here are some tips:
Professionalism: Dress appropriately and be punctual, whether the meeting is in person or virtual.
Have a List of Questions: Prepare questions that cover the interviewee’s career path, job responsibilities, and advice for newcomers. Questions could include:
How did you get your start in this field?
What skills are essential for success in your role?
Can you describe a typical day in your job?
What advice would you give someone looking to enter this field?
Be Respectful of Time: Keep the interview concise and focused, typically no longer than 20 minutes.
Take Notes: Document key insights and advice shared during the conversation.
Tapping into Your Interviewee’s Professional Network
One of the most valuable aspects of informational interviewing is the opportunity to expand your network. At the end of the interview, ask if they can recommend other professionals for informational interviews. That way, you can broaden your networking “web” over time.
Staying Connected
Maintaining relationships with your interviewees is essential for long-term networking. Here’s how to stay connected with not too much effort:
Follow Up: Send a thank-you email expressing your gratitude for their time and insights.
Engage on Social Media: Connect with them on LinkedIn or other platforms so you can learn more about their work, if they post about it on LinkedIn (as many science policy and communications professionals do) and be inspired by them!
In conclusion, master the art of the informational interview if you seek to learn more about roles in science policy, communications, and/or marketing. Also check out our free resources on the topic!
Whether you’re entering a new field or seeking to diversify your skills in your current role, informational interviews can be helpful.
What we’ve been up to lately:
This month, we wrapped up both our SciComm course and our science policy blog recaps from the AAAS 2024 Annual Meeting. We blogged about what’s called the “science of science,” capacity-building for public engagement and outreach in science, and used genAI to write a list of 20 key policy takeaways.
I also spoke to students in the University of California-Irvine science policy course. Check it out here.
That’s it for this month’s newsletter! If you liked it, please share it!