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Aerial view of the University of Minnesota Minneapolis campus

This blog was established by the Office of Professional Development for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scientists at the University of Minnesota Medical School (OPD). The goal of this blog is to provide easy access to answers to frequently asked questions (asked of OPD staff by UMN trainees), and to educate and inform our community on topics related to career and professional development. Articles are authored by Dr. Jenna Hicks and Dr. Sharolyn Kawakami-Schulz, OPD staff.

Have an idea for a future blog topic? Tell us about it!

Blog Articles

How do I do an informational interview?

Informational interviews have many benefits: they’re a great way to get current information about career options, you can customize the information you collect about a career because YOU get to choose the questions, and you get to build your professional network! Below, we’ll discuss how to conduct an informational interview.

How do I get started with career exploration?

Helping students and postdocs get started with career exploration is our specialty. Thoroughly exploring your career options can help you feel more confident in transitioning to your next step, and it can be a fun and motivating process! This article will outline steps you can take to get started.