#Informational Interviewing

Tag: #Informational Interviewing

Joe Loehnis ’06: From Cellist to CEO

I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Joe Loehnis ‘06, who is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. During his time at Lawrence, he majored in Cello Performance and was the captain of our golf team, also being the only golfer in LU’s history to be named to the All-American Team. Not only was he a successful golfer, but he was an outstanding musician. At the age of 16, he auditioned for the Green Bay Symphony Orchestra and got in, being the youngest person to this day to be awarded a tenure position there. He has also held positions in three other orchestras as a featured soloist.

After graduation, Joe became a professional golfer for a few years, placing in the top three in several tournaments. When I asked him about how he got into arts administration, he had an interesting story about being in line for groceries in Florida, where he was competing at the time. He heard someone in front of him talking about how there were no cello teachers in the area. This was when Joe approached them and eventually started his own private cello studio, starting with 10 students and maxing out at 75. With this ambition, and with no formal business background, he became the Executive Director at The First Tee, a non profit focusing on education and health for youth through golf. After great success there, Joe was looking for a change. After working with a recruiter, they said to him, “I found your next job. You’re going to be a CEO.”

This of course was how he wound up at the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, a musical non-profit currently worth several million. Every year, the organization puts on six weeks of free and outside music making in Madison, WI, entitled Concerts on the Square. Annually, over 50,000 people show up. No one knows the value of live music more than musicians, with the CEO stating that the experience is “like a breath of fresh air”. 

When asked about what makes a good arts administrator, Joe had many things to say. Energy was a huge one. Positive personalities mixed with raw hunger and ambition is like the magic music-business potion. Not only do you need to have tenacity, but also genuine passion. Curiosity is also crucial. Coming at arts administration from the lens of a musician is a huge leg up in the industry. Joe has also described the arts as a whole as being ‘resilient and relevant’. Honestly, us aspiring arts administrators need to be like the arts. 

Another piece of advice Loehnis gave was to “jump in the deep end with the piranhas”. The business industry is very cutthroat. You have to take risks! Having a strong background in not only music, but business is huge. You would be surprised at the amount of people working in arts administration that, like Joe, just fell into it. Having a solid understanding of the industry is so important. 

In addition, Loehnis said to use your network! “We all bleed blue”, he said in reference to Lawrentians. Meeting other people who went through the same music theory sequence is an automatic bond. Use the Lawrence community to your benefit. Find alumni who are doing what you want to do, and pick their brain. Trust me, I didn’t expect to uncover this much information from Joe Loehnis, but I am so happy I did.

Lastly, Joe talked about how important experience is. Not necessarily working at Carnegie Hall or a huge business corporation, but having “sticky” experience. Showing that you work hard is evident when your resume has years of experience at the same company, and you’ve moved up a few times. It shows you want to grow. And learn. And improve! Strong references can easily be more valuable than money.

Obviously, CEO Joe Loehnis said many things that really stood out to me in our conversation. My favorite, and my closer, is probably what he said in reference to reaching out to your network: “Get the meeting. Get the coffee. Listen 70% and talk 30%.”

Lauren Chance is a current sophomore at Lawrence University double majoring in Business and Entrepreneurship and Music, also minoring in Spanish. As a Career Peer Educator (NES, VPA), an Admissions Student Ambassador, and an EPIC Orientation Leader and Peer Mentor, she has a passion for helping others. Lauren aspires to work in arts administration focusing on marketing or event management. Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn.

Expanding Your Network – Tips For Finding and Connecting With New Professional Contacts

The Power of Networking

Did you know that nearly 70% of jobs are never advertised publicly? They exist in what experts call the “hidden job market.” Employers often fill these roles through personal recommendations and professional connections rather than job boards or company websites. That means your network is one of the most valuable tools in your career journey. The more you invest in meaningful connections, the more access you’ll have to unadvertised opportunities.

So, how can you effectively leverage your network? Let’s dive in.

Why Networking Matters

Many job openings are shared through word-of-mouth, meaning you’re far more likely to discover them through personal conversations than scrolling through job postings. In fact, 80% of hidden jobs are filled through direct professional connections. Building relationships with industry insiders provides:

  • Access to job openings before they’re publicly posted
  • Insights from experienced professionals in your field
  • Long-term relationships that can help you grow
  • Exclusive knowledge of trends that keep you competitive

The more strategic you are with networking, the greater your chances of unlocking career opportunities that others never see.

Types of Networking Contacts

Not all professional connections serve the same purpose. Here’s a breakdown of key networking contacts and how they can support your career growth.

Guidepost Contacts

These individuals provide general direction and career insights. You don’t need to maintain a long-term relationship with them, but their advice can help you navigate your industry.

Intel Contacts

Intel contacts offer valuable inside information about specific industries, companies, or roles. These are the connections you’ll want to cultivate over time, as they provide long-term value to your career.

Decision-Maker Contacts

These are the individuals who play a direct role in hiring decisions, but they’re not always HR personnel. Building strong relationships with decision-makers can help position you for opportunities when they arise.

Prioritizing Intel and Decision-Maker contacts will give you the most strategic advantage in networking.

Networking Strategies for College Students

If you’re a student looking to build professional connections, start early and be proactive. Here are some strategies to get started:

  • Attend Industry Events – Conferences, career fairs, and professional meetups help you connect with people in your field.
  • Leverage Alumni Networks – Platforms like LinkedIn, Voyager, and Career Shift are great for finding alumni willing to mentor and share opportunities.
  • Join Professional Platforms – LinkedIn and industry-specific forums allow you to build credibility and make valuable connections.
  • Find Mentorship Programs – Look into professional associations or student organizations that offer mentorship opportunities.

Informational Interviews: The Ultimate Networking Tool

What They Are

Informational interviews are conversations with professionals designed to learn about their career path and industry—without the pressure of a job application. They are 8x more likely to help students land internships and future positions than traditional applications.

Why They Work

Since most professionals love to help students, these interviews provide an organic way to build relationships, gain insider knowledge, and position yourself for future opportunities.

How to Make Them Effective

  • Focus on mutual interests—topics they enjoy discussing.
  • Be authentic and let your enthusiasm shine through.
  • Remember: most professionals genuinely want to help students succeed.

Getting Responses to Your Outreach

Cold outreach can be intimidating, but these strategies will help you get responses.

Craft Compelling Messages

  • Be specific and brief—get to the point.
  • Show you’ve done research on the individual.
  • Provide a clear call to action (e.g., requesting a 15-20 min Zoom chat).
  • Request meetings far enough in the future to show professionalism.

Target the Right People

  • Reach out to individuals with shared interests or connections in your field.
  • Make sure to highlight commonalities to create a stronger connection.

Conduct an Informational Interview

For more information on how to conduct an Informational Interview, click here!

Follow Up Thoughtfully

  • Wait one week, then send a friendly reminder.
  • If no response, send a third email using another email address if necessary.
  • Still no response? Try calling or reaching out on another platform.

Contact Rotation Strategy

Use this approach to stay organized and increase your chances of getting responses:

  1. Research: Find contacts and study their background.
  2. Reach Out: Send personalized messages with clear requests.
  3. Wait Period: Move to the backburner while focusing on other leads.
  4. Follow Up: Reconnect after a reasonable time frame.

Maintaining Your Network Over Time

Your network is only as strong as the relationships you maintain. Stay connected by:

Leaving with Homework

End every conversation with specific follow-up actions.

Expressing Gratitude

Send a personalized thank-you within 24 hours of any meeting.

Providing Value

Share articles, events, or introductions that could benefit your connections too. Networking should be mutually beneficial!

Final Thoughts

Expanding your network is one of the smartest moves you can make in your career. Whether you’re a college student, recent graduate, or experienced professional, building meaningful connections will open doors to hidden opportunities and long-term success.

Start today—reach out, build relationships, and watch your career grow through the power of networking.

Shadowing in the Pandemic? A Guide to Connecting with Health Care Professionals during COVID

Shadowing is an excellent way to explore careers in health care and medicine. The process of shadowing involves observing a professional in their daily work environment to experience the real-life routines and challenges of your field of interest. Unfortunately, many students continue to face shadowing access challenges due to the ongoing pandemic.  However, if you are in this situation, there are still options for you to connect with professionals in the field! You do not need to miss out on the insights and benefits that shadowing can offer. If you want ideas for pandemic-era shadowing and connecting with health care professionals, this resource is for you! 

Is shadowing possible during COVID? 

Yes, and no. Many (but not all) health care shadowing programs have suspended their in-person programs during COVID. For example, ThedaCare (a large healthcare system in Fox Cities) is currently limiting college student shadowing experiences to students who are required to shadow as part of their formal college curriculum, such as nursing school students. However, shadowing policies may vary at this point in time, especially at private or independent practice clinics. For example, there are private/independent veterinary clinics, dental clinics, physical therapy clinics, and other healthcare clinics in the area that are currently allowing shadowing for interested college students who reach out. 

What alternatives are there? Informational Interviewing 

If you are having difficulty identifying shadowing opportunities, consider setting up some informational interviews. “Informational interview” is a fancy term for a simple concept: talking to people about what they do. If you have ever had a conversation with a family member or professor about their career, you have already essentially conducted an informational interview. Here are a few steps to get started with informational interviewing: 

1) Identify people you would like to meet with. You can search in Viking Connect, Lawrence’s alumni platform, to find Lawrence alumni who are working in your field of interest. Click “Explore the Community,” and then search by industry, keywords, etc. You can also reach out to Lawrence professors, friends or family members in the field, or other individuals in your field of interest. 

2) Contact the person to ask to meet. Send a brief email or message in which you say a bit about yourself, your career interests, and how you found the person you are contacting. Mention that you are interested in hearing about their field and/or their career path, and ask if they would be willing to meet for a short time (30 minutes) via Zoom, phone, in person, etc. 

3) Prepare and conduct the interview. The interview itself usually lasts around 30 minutes, and is led by you, the student interviewer. Prepare a list of questions ahead of time, based on what you are most interested in gaining from the experience. Do you want to learn about what their typical day looks like, or what experiences were most valuable for them when they were a student?  

4) Always send a thank-you note. Make sure to thank them for their time, and feel free to stay in touch. 

Also be aware that many health care professionals are working long and intense hours right now, and be respectful of the fact that some might not have the time to speak with students. 

What alternatives are there? Virtual Shadowing 

There are also quite a few opportunities for virtual shadowing experiences, and these are becoming increasingly more widespread due to the pandemic. Virtual shadowing experiences are usually quite different from in-person ones, and sometimes consist of pre-recorded videos as well as synchronous sessions. Make sure to check with each program to see if you can list it as official shadowing experience – this varies by program. 

While the virtual aspect can certainly take away from the direct nature of the experience, shadowing during COVID can offer some unique insight as well. Rarely before has it been possible to observe health care professionals at such an important time in the field, when their service to our communities is especially crucial. This can set the stage for meaningful conversations with health care professionals, if you have the opportunity to speak with them.  

Here is a sampling of virtual shadowing programs: 

HEAL Clinical Shadowing (physician) 

Webshadowers (physician) 

Medschool Coach Beyond Shadowing (physician) 

Teleshadowing (physician) 

Virtual Shadowing (mostly physician, some PA) 

Medical School Headquarters e-Shadowing (physician, PA) 

Pre-Health Shadowing (Medical, Nursing, Dental, Pharmaceutical, PA, PT) 

University of Colorado Virtual Shadowing (physician, nursing, PA) 

Physician Assistant Shadow Online (PASO) (PA) 

Ampers&PA Virtual Shadowing (PA) 

Empowered PAs (PA) 

OT Observation…Plan ‘B’ (Occupational Therapy) 

Dental Shadowers (Dental)