To properly prepare for an informational interview, be sure to:

• Research the company
• Dress for success
• Update and bring your resume. The Career Development Center offers resume services to those who are in need of help.
• Practice interviewing with the Career Development Center, family, or friends
• Call to confirm your appointment
• Prepare and prioritize a list of open ended questions

Question to consider asking

• General questions about the career field
• Questions pertaining to all aspects of the interviewee’s job
• Preparations for the career
• Interviewee’s career path
• Culture of the company
• Company’s needs
• Opportunities for advancement within the company
• Seeking advice if you are a career changer
• Seeking general advice and referrals from your interviewee

Questions to avoid asking

• Do not ask blunt questions about their salary
• Do not ask for a job or help getting a job
• Do not ask highly personal questions

Schedule an appointment with your career counselor today to participate in the Beyond the Classroom Program and begin expanding your network through informational interviewing!

• Partner with a career counselor, who will guide you through your informational interviewing experience!
• Receive guidance and leads from a career counselor!
• Gain valuable information from employers in an environment that is run by you!
• Ask the employer questions about his/her career path, pros and cons of a certain industry, ways to get your foot in the door, and much more!

There are several ways to locate potential job shadowing opportunities. The following is a list of different resources to locate these opportunities:

• Mentor
• Previous employers
• Family/Friends
• Advisor/Professor
• Alumni Association
• UIS Career Development Center
• UIS CareerConnect (Click to login)

For more information about job shadowing, please visit the Career Development Center. We would be more than happy to provide you with possible names and numbers of potential job shadowing opportunities or help you get started with our online resources.

Schedule an appointment with your career counselor today to participate in the Beyond the Classroom Program and begin expanding your network through informational interviewing!

• Partner with the your career counselor, who will guide you through your informational interviewing experience!
• Receive guidance and leads from your career counselor!
• Gain valuable information from employers in an environment that is run by you!
• Ask the employer questions about his/her career path, pros and cons of a certain industry, ways to get your foot in the door, and much more!

Additional Resources

• LiveCareer: Research through Job Shadowing
• Virtual Job Shadow
• The Importance of Job Shadowing

Create a 30-60 second “elevator pitch” or a “commercial” about YOU! Start with a firm handshake and your name (very important). Then, include information on your professional background, education, professional and academic goals and visions. Reserve personal information for when you get the job. If you have a business or networking card, don’t be afraid to hand it out.

Everyone you know is already in your network and should know your career goals. Think of everyone that you know and compile a list. Educate them on your current visions, goals, and plans. All of these individuals are key players in your job search…they know you and they also know other people who might have great opportunities for YOU!

Everyday Places

• Work
• School
• Library
• Restaurants

Events

• Career/Job Fairs (Be sure to distribute your resume!)
• Volunteer Events
• Employer Information Sessions

Professional Affiliations

There are 1,000’s of organizations in different fields that you can become a member of

Example: University of Illinois Springfield Alumni Association,

Social Networks

• Student Clubs & Organizations
• Linkedin
• Social Media Platforms such as Facebook (View a video with best practice tips), and UIS Unite
• Organization Memberships: Many organizations offer memberships with access to other members and their valuable contact information.

• 6 Tips for Proper Business Manners
• It Really is About Who You Know
• 25 Best Places to Network

Many times, finding a mentor must be taken into your own hands. A problem often arises when a person is too proud and does not pursue a mentor for help. Not only are you benefiting from your mentor, but the mentor is also gaining a great deal from you. Rather than falling behind or not advancing by avoiding the process of finding a mentor on your own, realize how simple it is to go about choosing your own!

• Someone you admire and look up to, as well as respect
• Trustworthiness and capable in maintaining confidence in the relationship
• Sense of humor and good listening skills
• Comfortable in providing feedback and discussing a range of issues
• A drive to learn from others throughout life and gain knowledge from you as well
• An upbeat personality and wants you to benefit from this experience

Your mentor can be a person in the workplace or an outside individual from an organization in the same functional area. Depending on what you prefer, your mentor can be someone who is older, more experienced and at a higher level, or an individual on the same level, such as a peer mentor. If you do not have a person in mind, ask for referrals. Tap into friend and family networks to try and expand yours. Be clear in what you are looking for in order to save everyone’s time.Look towards local businesses, professional networks, and online communities.

When in search for your mentor, there are certain qualities that you may want to avoid. It is wise to steer clear of people who are in a state of extreme anxiety or helplessness. Many people also believe that a mentor should never be your supervisor, because it is likely that a conflict of interest would arise due to the fact that it is imperative that you are able to openly discuss your career and what is occurring in the workplace with this individual. It is also common for a minority to choose a mentor who is also a minority in order to first handedly identify with the success of someone who has done well and succeeded in a diverse task force.

Whether you have known your possible mentor for years or are in the process of communicating with them for the first time, it is important to remain professional.Don’t be afraid to search the internet for organizations leading you to find a person who is in a career that you may enjoy. It is okay to send people an e-mail asking them about their career paths, which may lead to further conversation about mentoring! If an individual declines your request to serve as a mentor, do not be discouraged. Realize that they probably have responsibilities that will affect their role as a mentor. Simply,thank them for their time and continue your pursuit for a mentor!

When you serve as a mentor, you share knowledge and abilities with others while also gaining awareness and understanding from others. It is very beneficial to have a mentee as well as a mentor that is open,honest, and has realistic expectations; also, one must be able to admit mistakes and share their failures in order to have an open and successful relationship.

• LiveCareer: The Value of a Mentor
• Inc.com: Seven Tips for Finding a Great Mentor
• IMDiversity.com: How to Find a Mentor

• Meeting new people and expanding your network
• Learning new skills
• Finding new challenges
• Building a better society
• Enhancing your job search with transferable skills

Many employers are impressed by volunteer work and like to have employees that are active in their communities.

Clarify your goals, priorities, and objectives. Are you willing to take an unpaid internship for the experience? What experiences are you seeking? If you have no prior experience, an unpaid internship may lead to paid experiences in the future.

Use your network. Often the best sources of information are your departmental faculty and academic advisors. Many departments have established relationships with organizations that hire interns on a routine basis.

Keep using your network! Let people know you are seeking an intern experience. Be specific about what you’re searching for. Talk to friends who have been successful in obtaining internships themselves and ask what methods they used and found successful.

Create your own opportunities. Research organizations at which you are interested in interning, whether or not they are known to have a formal internship program. Although many large organizations have more formalized programs, small organizations can offer wonderful experiences as well, you just have to ask!

Explore professional organizations. Campus branches of professional organizations in your field (e.g., Society for Human Resource Management) can put you in contact with unadvertised positions.

Utilize the Chamber of Commerce. They generally maintain exhaustive lists of local organizations and can provide a good lead when researching companies that may have intern opportunities.

How is an Internship Different than a Job?

• Internships generally benefit the intern more than the employer.
• Internships are generally always related to your expected career field.
• Internships generally incorporate strong educational components and experiences.
• Internship supervisors typically serve as an active mentor for the intern.

How is an Internship Different Than an Ongoing Volunteer Experience?

• Internships are generally always related to your expected career field and combines work experience with your academic, personal, and career goals.
• Volunteering is generally focused on being socially responsible and giving back to the community.
• Internships involve a strong, active mentoring and supervision relationship with the supervisor.

While many internships are unpaid, most internships can offer alternative benefits such as:

When searching for internships, a clear plan is needed based on your career and academic needs. Some questions to consider:

• Are you willing to move for an internship? How far away?
• Can you afford to not be paid in exchange for the internship experience?
• Can you afford to be paid little in exchange for the internship experience? How little?
• Will you need the employer to pay for your housing or can you afford it?
• How will you locate housing and will they allow short-term leases?
• Can the internship be arranged for credit if it is not already?
• Is there a possibility for full-time employment after the internship?
• How many hours a week will you be able to work? Part-Time, Full-Time?
• Have you considered an online or virtual internship? What about an internship abroad?
• Would you consider an internship that requires you to travel as part of your duties?
• Would you prefer a highly structured internship or one that is flexible?

The Career Development Center and Academic Departments frequently post advertisements for intern positions. Begin your search process early and check back frequently!

The UIS Career Development Center uses UIS CareerConnect to advertise available positions.

• Learn more about the UIS Internship and Prior Learning
• List of regional internships by major
• Micro-Internships for students and recent grads of UIS - via Parker Dewey

Schedule an appointment with your career counselor today to participate in the Beyond the Classroom Program and begin expanding your network through internships and externships!

• Partner with the a career counselor, who will guide you through your internship-search experience!
• Receive guidance and leads from a career counselor!
• Great way to gain practical experience to place on your resume!
• Network with professionals in your field!
• Receive valuable mentoring from a professional!
• Obtain references for future job searches!
• Gain a unique glimpse into potential future careers!

• How to Turn an Internship into a Job
• Top 8 Tips for Finding an Internship
• Intern Housing.com
• How to Find Your Ideal Internship
• University of Illinois at Chicago Summer Internship Housing

• Boston University Summer Study Internship
• Chicago Internship Program
• Illinois Intern
• Institute of International Education Opportunities & Internship Programs
• St. Louis Internship Program
• Top 100 Internship Programs of 2023

• Graduate Programs UIS
• Arts Programs Timeline 
• Business UIS
• Computer Science UIS 
• Dental UIS 
• Law School Timeline 
• Medical School Timeline
• Pharmacy UIS 
• Psychology Studies Timeline
• Social Work/Counseling UIS

1. How do you decide which schools to apply to?
2. Are you set on living close to your family and friends?          
3. Do you know what field you want to study?
4. What are the costs and your financial resources?

Community

• Be sure that the community suits your needs. Is housing available? Will you be able to find work near/at your school?
• Check to see how far you will be from your friends and families, and whether you will be in a city or rural area.
• Look into the size of the institution. Are you comfortable studying with that many/few students? What is the student/faculty ratio?
• What type of culture does the school have? Is competition fierce, or does the school emphasize teamwork and cooperative research?
• How accessible is the school? Do they have a good reputation for accommodating students with disabilities?
• What types of multi-cultural or diversity opportunities are available to students there? Are there many international students? What resources are available to help students?

Degree Programs

• Does the school offer the degree and program you want? Research the school to find out, because even though a school may offer a doctorate, your chosen program might not.
• Find out how much of the curriculum will involve research.
• Will you be required to take an internship?
• Does the university have the appropriate accreditation? If not, you may face certain consequences later on, or be unable to gain the credentials you need for a career in that field.
• Are you able to meet the entrance requirements? Check to see what their prerequisite, entrance test and GPA requirements are.

Cost and Financial Aid

• How much does the school cost, including living expenses?
• For public schools, do/can you meet residency requirements?
• Are there any scholarships or fellowships available to students to help pay for school? How can you apply for them? Use these Offtocollege.com Tools to help you analyze each program.
• How much financial aid will be available to you? How many students are eligible for financial aid? Do you meet the requirements?

Resources

• What are the faculty/professors like? Do any of them have specialized experience/research experience that would be relevant to your course of study? Have they published anything that interests you?
• What facilities are available to you? Will they be adequate to perform the type of research you wish to pursue?
• Does the school have a Career Center? What services do they offer? Where have alumni of that school been able to find jobs?

1. Do your research and reach out to the schools  by phone, in-person or email to learn more about programs
2. Track your thoughts using the School Comparison Worksheet .
3. Create a list of the factors that will influence your decision such as:
   • Decide how important each factor is to you. Are you set on having internship experience?
   • Does the faculty/student ratio matter to you at all?
   • Offer the field of study and relevant internships that will support your career goals?
   • Financial aid and assistantships/fellowships available?
   • In-state tuition? Research/internship opportunities?
4. Determine which factors would be deal-breakers for you. Think about which factors will help you come to a final decision.
5. Analyze your options and start to narrow your list down. A good range of schools to apply to is usually between 2 and 6 with two “safety” schools you feel certain you will be accepted to, two average schools you have a good chance to be accepted to, and two “reach” schools that you would like to attend, but will be tougher to be accepted to.
6. Make a decision and begin the application process.
7. Meet with a career counselor if you need assistance with this process

• Grad School Criteria
• How to Interpret Rankings
• Choosing a Grad School
• Choosing a Grad Program
• Rankings

When you attend grad school fairs be well prepared, professional, interactive, and inquisitive. Come mentally and emotionally ready to take the best and worst possible results, which will keep you in a realistic, but optimistic, state of mind. Graduate school fairs vary: different layouts, themes, atmospheres, and expectations. Some graduate school fairs are busier than others.

If you want to go to a successful and worthwhile fair, it is important for you to be prepared. This will also be a benefit to the recruiters. Here are some points to consider that will help you prepare:

• Research the fair, recruiters, expected participants, and participation requirements. If you are more informed, then your experience might be more productive. Check the fair organizers’ website for a list of the recruiters participating and the agenda of the fair.
• Create a list of the graduate schools that interest you the most. Research them extensively, but remain open to other schools that you might find.
• Draw up a “Graduate School Action Plan” with objectives you plan and want to fulfill. When you write down your goals you are more likely to accomplish them.
• Think of questions to ask and answer. Prepare a list of specific questions for each graduate school that you want to be addressed. The recruiters might have questions for you as well, and therefore, rehearse your responses to potential questions as much as is needed for you to be confidently ready.
• Compose, rehearse, and gain command of a 30-60 second “elevator pitch” that includes your name, goals, education, experiences, strengths, and interests. Compliment your pitch with a firm handshake and a curriculum vitae as well as a resume.
• Draft between 10-25 highly developed curriculum vitae or resumes. Have your CV’s and/or resumes extensively critiqued and make certain that they have no errors and are well written. Remember what you have written on your CV or resume in case recruiters ask questions about either of them.
• Compile your career portfolio with resumes, pens, paper, transcripts, and a list of references in case a recruiter asks for such information.
• Be early to the fair! The employers will be more tired as the fair goes later. If you want a recruiter to remember you, arrive 10 or 15 minutes before the fair begins and be prepared for making an enduring first impression!
• Wear professional attire! Make certain that you are well-groomed and dressed in business attire.

Your time at a graduate school fair can be successful if you are professional, confident, optimistic, and persistent. Here are some helpful tips:

• Introduce yourself. Telling the recruiters your name is of the utmost importance for your introduction. Enthusiasm and sincerity can endear you to recruiters!
• Manage your time. Be certain that you are devoting enough time to meeting with your target schools so that you effectively market yourself.
• Ask productive, relevant and individualized questions. Be considerate of the recruiter’s energy and time, but be curious to demonstrate that you have researched the school and that you are concerned with your future.
• Obtain the recruiter’s information. Make certain that you know the recruiter’s name, business card, literature, and the next step of communication. Remember to thank the recruiter by name.

The follow-up of a graduate school fair in many instances can give attendees the edge over their competition. Always be certain that:

• You send the recruiters with whom you spoke thank-you letters within one week. Send them thank-you letters helps the employer to remember you, reinforcing the professional relationship you two have founded.
• You follow-up with the recruiter’s requests and be aligned with his or her wishes of the next communication step.

Some graduate fairs are open to many schools and programs, while others are geared towards a specific kind of school, such as medical school or law school. There are many website directories of career fairs by region, state, occupation, and industry.

Unable to Attend a Graduate School Fair or Want to Participate from a Distance? Contact the Career Development Center to further discuss your “Graduate School Fair Plan” and to develop a strategy to market yourself from a distance.

• Idealist.org Graduate School Search -Connects prospective students with graduate schools in many fields related to nonprofit and government work.

There are many possible candidates you may interview. Some of the best choices are:

• Professors at the school you are interested in
• Professors from your school, especially grad level professors
• Your academic advisor
• Students of the school you are interested in
• Alumni with your desired degree
• Career Counselors at the UIS Career Development Center are also available to assist you in planning your graduate school career. Feel free to email, call, walk in, or schedule an appointment and get another useful opinion.

To properly prepare for a graduate school informational interview, be sure to:

• Research the university or college
• Prepare and prioritize a list of open ended questions
• Practice mock interviewing with the Career Development Center, family, or friends
• Call or email to confirm your appointment
• Dress for success or brush up on professional etiquette
• Update and bring a professional portfolio, just in case. Include a resume or CV, depending on the program requirements. The Career Development Center offers resume and CV services to those who are in need of help.

Questions to consider asking

• General questions about the degree program
• Preparations for the program- do they prefer experience?
• What are the faculty like? What kind of work do they expect?
• What are the students like? Is there a lot of competition/cooperation?
• What is the campus/surrounding community like?
• Do students usually have a job? Is it practical to have a job, or is the course load too difficult?
• What kind of experiential learning opportunities are there? Teaching assistantships?
  Adjunct positions? Internships? Research opportunities?
• Will I be able to create my own research topics, or will I have to continue a professor’s ongoing research?
• Where have alumni of the program gone? Where do they work?
• Do students usually publish or present papers?
• What percentage of time will be spent on reading? Writing? Research and hands-on work?

Questions to avoid asking

• Do not ask highly personal questions
• Do not ask about party life on campus
• Do not ask pessimistic questions, try to stay positive.
• Do not ask overly detailed questions that would be best addressed to a different department- e.g. financial aid.

Auditory

• Phone Interview Etiquette

• Idealist.org informational interviewing
• Purpose of Informational Interviews

• There are two major reasons to visit at this time: (1) to collect information about the community & (2) to cast a favorable impression upon faculty and advisors.
• You need to know that it is best to call a graduate advisor or faculty recruiter to schedule an appointment, because doing so will be more worthwhile.
  – You should also speak with at least one faculty member that teaches in the department to which you are applying.
• The primary purpose of visiting at this time is to speak with everyone that is willing to speak with you.

• Speak to all available faculty to see if they are open to talking with students.
• Ask the faculty questions that you have prepared before you came to visit.
• Ask questions that:
  • Give you information that was not included in the literature
  • Prove you are deliberating about and are truly interested in the program
  • show faculty that you are excited and committed to your studies
  • will provide yourself the opportunity to show those you meet that you are exceptional and possibly win support when applications are reviewed
• Be certain to speak with your graduate advisor, especially about the chances of receiving financial aid because doing so will give you a better sense of it.
• Speaking with other graduate students might give you a greater perspective of the school than just speaking with faculty.
• You should investigate the school to have a better understanding of it and to decide if you want to earn your degree there
• However, you should not limit your investigation to the campus; explore the local community

• Though the purpose of visiting at this time is similar to visiting before applying, the trip could be a waste of time if the application is turned down or there is scant or no financial aid.
• A visit might be beneficial and help you decide on the school you want to attend before you receive letters of acceptance.
  After Acceptance
• Normally, you would visit a school after being accepted because you have not yet decided on enrolling at the school.
• To visit after being accepted is normally a different experience than visiting beforehand, and you will probably be treated differently as a probable and desired student.

• You should know under which faculty you want to study if you do go to that school.
• You should also call before going and ask the graduate advisor to arrange appointments to meet with the faculty.
• When you speak to the faculty, ask questions that will help contrast the school with others under consideration.

• You can visit a school without prior notification.
  • This might give you a more realistic perspective of the school, and you can see if you are treated differently than if you had arranged for a visit.

• The average annual tuition for law school exceeds twenty thousand dollars.
• To attend a private law school, the cost is about thirty thousand dollars.
• Medical school is even more expensive.
• The average cost of earning non-professional degrees is nearing twenty thousand dollars annually.

Of course, there are more costs for college than just tuition. You need to take into consideration the costs of books, housing, and living. There are three main ways of financing graduate school: yourself, federally-provided student loans, and the graduate school itself.

It is best for you if you can personally finance attending grad school. You can use your savings, ask your parents for help, or work and save your money before attending grad school. If you are married, your spouse can help you cover living costs as well as school costs. You can also work part-time during the school year, or between semesters.

Many graduate schools have work study programs and offer Federal loans funds.  

You can also check out these links:

• Federal Work Study
• Federal Perkins Loan
• List of Financial Aid Options (Grants, Loans, etc.)

Research and apply for graduate assistantships, fellowships, or scholarships, you never have to repay. With an assistantship, you will assist research, teaching or programming. A fellowship and a scholarship are virtually the same. A fellowship, or scholarship, is a cash reward that covers the cost for one-four years, and some can be renewed if you can demonstrate that you deserve a renewal.

Please see these links below for more information:

• Scholarship Search
• College Cost Comparison Tool

Also, please take some time to fill out the following worksheet:

• Establish a College Budget

• Take the entrance test early so you can retake it if you want to, or need to, improve your scores.
• Your test scores may expire within 1-3 years, be sure to build this in to your application timeline.
• Set aside funds for taking graduate tests, as all graduate entrance exams have different fees.
• Ask the university and program about their requirements if you are unsure about any aspect of their application.

• GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) – general test for many graduate programs, consisting of the general test portion and the subject portion.
• GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test) – used for entrance in to Business and Management Schools and Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) programs.
• LSAT (Law School Admissions Test) – used for entrance in to Law Schools.
• MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) – used for entrance in to Medical Schools.
• PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test) – used for entrance in to Pharmacy Schools.
• DAT (Dental Admission Test) – used for entrance in to Dental Schools.
• OAT (Optometry Admission Test) – used for entrance in to Optometry Programs.

Career counseling services are available either face-to-face or through distance secured methods. Licensed Professional Counselors and supervised counseling interns assist individuals and groups with the decision-making process and facilitate the development of career action plans as it relates to life and career directions. Career counselors tailor services according to the needs of the individual in order to clarify life/career aspirations. Some common concerns confronting individuals can include identification of interests, values, skills; improving decision-making skills as related to choosing a major and/or career; identifying resources such as career planning and occupational information systems; educating about job search strategies; resolving personal conflicts on the job by improving interpersonal skills; assisting with the integration of work and other life roles; providing support and decreasing job stress, job loss, and career transitions. Learn more about Career Counseling.

Networking is one of the most important aspects of the job search. Staff will partner with students and alumni in identifying effective networking approaches best suited to the unique needs of the individual. Educating students and alumni about general facets of networking, the rationale as to why networking is important, and how to make contacts and who should be part of one’s network leads to enhanced job opportunities.

Informational Interviewing can serve as a dual purpose. The technique can be used to gather important information so decisions can be made about choosing or refining your career path, identifying what is required to succeed within a chosen career, or to learn how to gain access for entry into a chosen field. An added benefit of informational interviewing is meeting new people and keeping in contact with those individuals who have common interests which expands your network.

All experiential opportunities consisting of internships, volunteer, part-time, full-time, and seasonal job postings are accessible in our online system called UIS CareerConnect. UIS CareerConnect is a very comprehensive system available 24/7 which requires a password to access. More information about what the system offers, how to register, and how to access the system is available at UIS CareerConnect.

UIS CareerConnect is an online job system with the following career-related features:

• Search and review job, internship, volunteer, fellowship and scholarship postings
• Upload resumes for employers to search
• Upload documents to create an e-Porfolio
• Alumni and professional mentor contacts
• Search and view employer profiles
• Professional Development event calendar