Students can meet with volunteers to ask questions and gain insights about specific jobs or career pathways. Topics may include job progression, work culture, industry trends, highlights and challenges, or any other questions that can help inform their next steps. This is also a valuable opportunity for students to build their professional network while gaining unique perspectives from experienced professionals.

Here are sample questions you can ask in an informational interview.

Informal mentorships can sometimes develop naturally between volunteers and students through other support channels such as tutoring or informational interviews. Volunteers who become mentors typically help students set goals, create action plans, and maintain accountability through regular check-ins. These connections may be long-term or short-term and can occur virtually, in person, or in a hybrid format. Students can request networking opportunities with various volunteers to find a potential match for mentoring.

Volunteers offer unique insights from their fields to help students enhance their resumes and excel in interviews. Students can share their resumes virtually for volunteers to provide comments, followed by a meeting for further discussions if needed. By participating in mock interviews with volunteers, students can develop strategies to address questions effectively and build confidence, ensuring they present their best selves to potential employers.

Students seeking to gain experience in skills such as financial literacy, salary negotiation, public speaking, and more can collaborate with a volunteer who has relevant expertise. Volunteers can assist students in developing project proposals and work alongside them to complete these projects. The one-on-one learning and coaching support enhance students' skills, strengthen their professional experience, and enrich their resume portfolios.

Networking with volunteers or individuals from their networks can lead to job-shadowing and internship opportunities. These hands-on experiences offer valuable insights to guide career decisions and establish potential job connections. Volunteers can also assist students in their job-shadowing or internship search process. Students are encouraged to connect with their Education Advocate and Volunteer Services Manager for further planning when opportunities arise.