La Sombra Del Viento

The purpose of this assignment is to familiarize students with one of the most successful ways of researching a career. Speaking to people in a field of interest has many advantages.

1.) You can gain concrete information about a job or career area from someone knowledgeable and active in this area of work.

2.) You can gain “interview experience” without the stress of being interviewed.

3.) You will have made a contact in a career area for the future.

4.) There is a possibility of getting a job offer through this technique.

5.) You can determine if a career is appropriate for you

It is important to note that this technique is different from a job interview because you are doing the interviewing. You are looking for information about the person’s work and about the career field in general.

Assignment

1.) Identify a career area that you may be interested in. You may use your current field placement or another career of your interest. It may have been an area that you are not working in now, or it may be an area in the company where you are employed which you would like to know more about. It could even be a job someone you know has.

2.) Write a list of questions that you would like to have answered about this career. What do you need to know in order to determine whether you want to pursue this area. For example:

a What special skills are helpful in your area?

b Are there professional organizations connected to this field?

c How did you train for this job?

d What are the positive aspects of this career? Negative aspects?

e What is a typical day like?

f Can you put me in contact with or give me the name of other people who might help me in this area?

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Note: Your information interview should contain 10-12 questions.

3.) Talk with your supervisor. Ask him or her to identify people that you can speak with within your organization or identify someone you would like to interview. It could be someone outside of the organization where you are placed.

4.) Call and make an appointment for an informational interview. Use your supervisor’s name if appropriate or another contact’s name ex. “John Smith suggested that I contact you. I am interested in learning more about the public relations field.” Make sure that the person knows you are seeking information,

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