Have an Informational Interview
Ask someone how their work really operates, without turning the conversation into a disguised job request. An informational interview can reveal career routes, overlooked skills and the difference between a role's public image and its everyday demands. The useful questions are specific: what fills most of the week, what surprised them, which entry routes work now and what they would learn earlier. One conversation cannot represent an entire profession, but it can improve the next question and point towards another person to speak with. Request twenty to thirty minutes, explain why you chose them and arrive prepared. Respect confidentiality, keep to time and send a brief thank-you afterwards. Add this to your list to replace career assumptions with a first-hand account.