Informational interviews

Leverage your connections at UBC

• Meet UBC alumni at Arts Career Expo, Beyond the BSc, or other events specific to your major
• Speak to recruiters at employer information sessions, UBC Career Days and other career fairs
• The Centre for Student Involvement and Careers has employer directories for specific industries such as science, new media, nonprofits and the public sector

Do your research

• Business in Vancouver is a weekly newspaper with articles and profiles that feature companies or people at companies in bold type, so they’re easily identifiable. BIV also has an events calendar, which you can find for free online
• Eluta.ca is the official job search engine of Canada’s top employers
• Many professional associations have websites with industry information and career-related resources

Get out into the community

• Reach out on LinkedIn or Twitter
• Go to lectures or events and participate in discussions
• Find associations that hold events for professionals

• What are some tasks or projects you work on?
• What skills can help you excel in this field?  
• What would entry-level work in this field look like? How do you advance? What does the typical career path look like? 
• How would the experience from this kind of job transfer to other related roles?
• What is the work culture like in your industry?
• What kinds of people are you in contact with regularly?
• Who else should I talk to?
• What resources (like websites, industry associations or organizations) should I look into?
• What is the most effective way to stay connected to current events and news particular to your industry?
• Was graduate school necessary to prepare for or advance in this career? If so, which programs do you recommend?