University of Pittsburgh logo

Panthers Across the Globe

The OACD can help you make critical connections to doctoral alumni of the University of Pittsburgh's six schools of the health sciences, including past postdoctoral trainees, who are now spread out around the globe. Alumni can answer your questions about future careers, provide feedback and guidance, participate in informational interviews, and even tell you what it is like to be a Panther anywhere in the world. 

OPPORTUNITIES:

  • Participate in an informational interview with an alumnus working in a job that aligns with your future career interests.
  • Virtually meet with an alumnus currently living in a city where you have received a job interview or offer to learn about the transition from Pittsburgh to the new city and get your questions answered about what living there is like.
  • Engage in a flash mentoring session with an alumnus to get one-time career advice, from resume review to skill-building guidance for a specific career path.
What is an Informational Interview?

Informational interviews, or informal, question-and-answer style conversations with professionals about their careers, are an excellent way to learn more about jobs and career paths from someone working in your field of interest. It is part of the research process as you consider where you want to go with your career and is not the same as a job interview. During the informational interview, you will gather information that will help you determine whether the role or particular company is a good fit. This 15-30 minute conversation is an opportunity for you to ask questions that help you understand aspects of the job that are most important to you.

Informational Interview-Identifying and Reaching Out to Interviewees

How to identify someone to interview:

  • The OACD, in collaboration with Pitt Alumni Relations, has developed a list of alumni interested in helping you with your research. Contact us to request a referral.

What to say when you contact a potential interviewee:

  • This pdf and the MyIDP site have tips on how to reach out to potential interviewees. Provide a succinct introduction that covers your background and why you think you might be interested in their career.
Conducting an Informational Interview

For your informational interviews:

  • At the beginning of the informational interview, re-state a succinct introduction that covers your background and why you think you might be interested in their career.
  • Next, ask them questions that you've pre-selected. What information are you hoping to gain and what do you want to learn? This is not about asking for favors or trying to get a job. Think carefully about what you want to learn from this meeting.
    • Questions: Choose questions from this list and/or google for additional ideas. Make a list of your questions ahead of time so that you are prepared!
  • Thank them for their time, and send them a follow-up thank you email!
What is Flash Mentoring?

Flash mentoring, unlike a traditional mentoring relationship, is a brief and focused meeting with an alumnus with more experience, with the goal of achieving targeted guidance and support. When you reach out,

  • Introduce yourself briefly.
  • Articulate why you are reaching out to this alumnus specifically.
  • Explain that you would like to meet for a specific amount of time, such as 15-30 minutes.
  • Be clear and concise about what you would like to explore, learn about, or gain in this meeting.
Topics for a Flash Mentoring Session
  • Career transition steps
  • Upskilling-what tools you need to make the next step
  • Career goals
  • Work/life balance
  • CV review and feedback
  • Learn about a career
  • Knowledge sharing
  • Help navigating change
  • Learn about the company
  • Request feedback on your resume for a specific industry
Would you like to connect with a doctoral or postdoctoral alumnus? Reach out and tell us how we can help!

<<Return to the PACT Homepage