Informational interviews might be one of the most fun things you can do. Basically, you are having a conversation with someone in a career you are interested in. Since you are both interested in this line of work, you will have plenty to talk about. Ask how they chose their career. What skills are required to get a job in the field? What do they like and not like about it? What are the salary ranges? What are the challenges in this particular industry? Finally, can they introduce you to two or three other people in the field that you can talk to? Your job is to get them to talk and then to just listen.
You might not know anyone with your dream job, but it is easy to find someone in the field who will talk to you. Most people are willing to help a young person with career advice, just like someone helped them in their own careers. Search online for organizations in your field and reach out to the person that’s best to talk to. Or you might even know someone who knows someone who knows someone else.