Informational interviews are an excellent tool to explore a field of interest and learn from others’ career pathways. They also help build your network and connect you with stakeholders and policy-makers who can be a great resource when it comes to developing research questions that are responsive to the needs of the community.<\/p>\n
As part of the Urban Governance Series, all URBAN Trainees should connect with a stakeholder, decision-maker, or expert of interest for a Stakeholder Meeting\/informational interview. Once you’ve identified someone you would like to speak with, find a 45-minute window for a phone or Zoom conversation and suggest a few topics you’d like to discuss, for example, to hear more about their leadership role tackling an urban environmental challenge, their career pathway, or their perspectives on your research and where the field is heading.<\/p>\n
The URBAN Program Manager can help brainstorm who to connect with, as well as facilitate the connection and provide an introduction! Please reach out here<\/a>.<\/p>\n At the start of your conversation, we suggest taking the lead by proposing where to start (\u201cI thought I\u2019d start by telling you a bit about my program and my research\u201d) and where the conversation might go (\u201cand then I\u2019d love to ask you some questions about your job and your field, and any advice you have for me\u201d). It is also always a good practice to double-check their availability (\u201cBut first, are you still available until X time?\u201d).<\/p>\n You should review the Discussion Guide (download here<\/a>) as well as this resource<\/a> from NIH for ideas of how to approach the conversation. Additional questions you might consider asking include:<\/p>\n After the conversation, be sure to follow-up with a \u201cThank You\u201d email<\/strong>. It helps to mention at least one specific thing you appreciated about the interaction and\/or what you plan to do for next steps. Most importantly, have fun!<\/p>\n When you’ve completed your conversation, please return to this page to complete the final reflection prompts below.<\/p>\nPreparing for your meeting<\/h3>\n
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After your meeting<\/h3>\n
Post-Stakeholder Meeting Reflection Assignment<\/h3>\n