What is DukeConnect?

DukeConnect is a database of over 3,000 alumni who have volunteered to assist you with your career exploration process. DukeConnect is a networking tool to be used as a source of information about majors/fields of study, industries, and career paths. In addition, it's a way to help Duke students and alumni understand and enter a competitive job market.

Login to DukeConnect

Duke students, faculty, and staff

Duke undergraduates, students in The Graduate School, faculty, and staff can use their netid (acpub ID) and password to access the database.

What Volunteers Have Agreed To Do

Often the best, most inspiring advice comes from relating personal experience. Alumni advisors can share knowledge and experience gained in their specific careers and varied jobs in such a way that complements perfectly the advice career counselors in Duke's Career Center can offer. The emphasis is on the word advice. An advisor is not expected to find jobs for students. However, those using DukeConnect should know that networking or informational interviewing, is one of the best ways to find out about job possibilities. So, if a DukeConnect advisor does not have or know about specific job opportunities, he or she may become a critical link or scout for future opportunities.

What Is Information Interviewing?

An informational interview is quite different from a job interview. In an informational interview you are doing what the term implies -- getting information. In an informational interview you are the interviewer. Your goal is to learn more about a career area, position or organization -- but not to ask for a job. It places you in an active rather than a passive role and, when used properly, the informational interview has several advantages:

• Gives you the opportunity to gain information about an agency or company
• Expands your circle of contacts and increases your visibility as a job candidate
• Helps you locate organizations that are booming during difficult economic times
• Helps you decide on a career path, or better yet, helps you define a job target
• Increases your self confidence and can help improve your interviewing skills

The critical ingredient in an informational interview (or any interview for that matter) is that it is a conversation, an exchange of thoughts. For most, a conversation is a pleasurable experience, and for most, talking about what one does for work is fun. So approach informational interviewing with this in mind, most people enjoy talking about their occupation.

After identifying a list of alumni to contact, it is always better to plan to meet them at their place of work -- at least when geographically possible. Although you can interview by phone, you will get more out of an in-person interview. Meeting contacts at their place of work lets you explore work settings and cultures and observe day-to-day operations. You'll pick up the field's language, pace, values, issues, trends and nuances of culture that can only be noticed in person.

How to Arrange the Interview

The best way is to call or write. I know this seems like an imposition to ask for people's time, but most people enjoy talking about their jobs and most enjoy the opportunity to provide advice to someone from their alma-mater.

On the day of your informational interview, be sure that you are on time and dressed appropriately. Once there, it is expected that you will take control of the meeting since it was you who initiated it. Take along your list of prepared questions and start by asking the most important question first. Near the end of your interview ask the alum what they would be asking or doing if they were in your shoes. You might ask: "Is there any advice you would give someone just entering the field, maybe something that you wish someone had mentioned when you were starting?" Also ask if there is anyone that they could recommend who might be helpful in giving you additional information.

After the interview, send a thank you note. It doesn't need to be long, but should mention a few key points that you found helpful during the interview.

In conclusion, the informational interview is a valuable tool. If you don't take advantage of it you'll miss many opportunities. Talking with people about their career or educational experiences can play a pivotal role in four very different stages of career development:

• When you are exploring possibilities or changing career fields
• When you are researching a specific organization or position
• When you want to be informed about new or unexpected opportunities
• When you want to build and maintain a support system spreading "positive press" that you are available for work