Make a small, specific request
Berkeley describes an informational interview as a conversation for understanding a career field, not a job interview. Ask about the work directly rather than inviting someone to talk and surprising them with a referral request.
Message to adapt: 'Hello [Name], I am exploring supply-chain internships and trying to distinguish planning roles from warehouse operations. I found your work through [real professional connection or source]. Would you have 20 minutes to explain the kinds of assignments a beginner handles on your team? Thank you, [Name].'
Sources[1]
Read two things beforehand
Read the person's public role description and one relevant internship posting. Write down where the posting leaves you guessing. Do you not understand the output, the tools, the worksite or the skill level? That uncertainty is your starting question.
Bring a short description of your own preparation only so the person can calibrate their advice. You do not need a speech about your whole career plan.
A 20-minute agenda
Use this as a planning aid, not a script. Follow a useful answer instead of forcing every question into the meeting.
| Time | What to ask |
|---|---|
| First 2 minutes | Explain the choice you are considering and your current preparation |
| Next 8 minutes | Walk through a recent or representative assignment: input, work, output and reviewer |
| Next 7 minutes | Ask which beginner skills matter, what is taught and how similar roles differ |
| Final 3 minutes | Check your understanding and ask for one useful public resource |
Questions that change what you search for
In this fictional example, a student sees 'supply-chain intern' used for two very different jobs. These questions reveal the difference.
| Question | What the answer helps you decide |
|---|---|
| What did the last intern produce in an ordinary week? | Whether the job centers on analysis, documentation or operating tasks |
| Which decisions happen at a desk and which require being on site? | Whether to search planning/analysis roles or warehouse/field roles |
| What would I need to know before day one, and what would you teach? | Which skill to practice before applying |
| What is frustrating about this work that a posting would not convey? | Whether the less attractive parts are acceptable to you |
Close with what you learned
Try: 'It sounds as though I should search for inventory-planning and demand-planning roles, rather than treating all supply-chain titles as the same. Is that a fair reading of what you described?'
A thank-you can be equally concrete: 'Thank you for explaining how the weekly inventory review works. I am going to practice an exception report and focus my search on planning teams.' Send a later update when you have actually used the advice.
Treat the conversation as one person's experience. Confirm deadlines and eligibility against the official posting, and ask permission before attributing a nonpublic comment to them. You can leave with a better decision even when no introduction or referral follows.