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Researching Resources
List of personal contacts too short, or don't know even one person in the career area being explored? Don't despair! The trick is to probe beyond the first layer of contacts, let's say, for example, getting into a specific college as a MAT employee. But still have little direction after talking to everyone? Research the next level. The following are people to utilize when trying to identify a network of contacts. Talk to each person even if they are not connected to the researching area. They may know much more than expected.
- Family/extended family: who may be in the college system.
- Friends/acquaintances: friends, friends of friends working in the interest area
- Coworkers and employers (past and present): past and present colleagues can be good sources.
- Teachers and professors (past and present): particularly if there is good rapport with them.
- Alumni/ae of college(s): getting in touch with them is depends on the quality of the college's career centers and/or alumni affairs offices.
- Counselors/advisors in the college(s): includes career counselors, deans, and college activities officers.
- Clubs or organizations: any memberships
- People who do work that’s interesting: write a letter to someone who has written an article about an interest area. Names can be found listed in a directory of college staff. It may feel weird to do this, but many people enjoy the attention and recognition, or may simply be interested in helping out.
