Informational Interview

Using an informational interview should be an important part of career development throughout our work life. Many of us obtain information from other professionals, bit-by-bit, but you can be more efficient in the process by arrange an informational interview with a MAGIP member who is skilled in an area of GIS that is of interest to you. 

Find a MAGIP GIS Mentor, arrange a meeting, and use any (or all) of these questions:

1. Who do you work for and what work do you do?
2. What kind of training or background is necessary for this type of work?
3. How did you get this job, and what kinds of experience and preparation helped you most?
4. Do you know of internships or short term volunteer projects that could help me gain experience?
5. Who would you say has been the most help in your career? How did they help you?
6. What are your responsibilities in this position?
7. What do you like most, least about this job?
8. What kind of stress do you deal with?
9. Knowing what you know now, what advice do you have for getting into this work?
10. What personal qualities or abilities are important for doing well in this kind of work?
11. For you, what part of this job is most satisfying? most challenging?
12. What kind of changes, do you see coming, in this line of work?
13. If you were going to change direction now, where would you go? How would you do it?
14. What impresses you in a resume from someone who is applying for a career in this field?
15. Can you recommend any professional journals I could read in this field?
16. What do you see as the major problems for those working in this field today?
17. What do you think needs to be changed in this field?