The Chicago Ideas team hosted our second YOU(th) Professional Development Event this week, thanks in part to our hosts at Edelman Chicago. Over 30 Chicago youth and 30 professionals from around the city came together to explore how to conduct an informational interview. It’s a skill that’s easy to take for granted for seasoned networkers, but this event gave our YOU(th) the opportunity to witness an informational interview, conduct informational interviews with 3 professionals (students were matched up with professionals based on their interest in a particular industry), and engage in open networking.

The event started out with our Director of (YOU)th, Rachel Graham explaining the benefits of informational interviews to help students wrap their minds around how this could be useful to them as they explore future careers. Next, she conducted an informational interview with special guest Mobolaji Akintunde, a creative and marketing communications professional who is currently Co-Founder and Creative Director of the luxury travel goods & accessories brand, Stache & Hyde. This gave students a first hand look at one way to network with professionals in a specific field.

What’s one question you believe should be asked at an information interview? Let us know @ChicagoIdeas or on Facebook and use hashtag #CIWYOUth so we can pass it on to our students.

Some great questions we overheard throughout the night:

1. Where do you see yourself or your company 5 years from now?
2. If you had to change something about your job, what would it be?
3. What made you want to pursue this?
4. What obstacles did you have to overcome?
5. What tips do you have for me to do in college to pursue this industry?

Below are photos from last night’s event. Interested in learning more about the Chicago Ideas YOU(th) program? Read more. If you’d like to participate in a future professional event, email us at youth@chicagoideas.com.