Learning Goals:

Plan and conduct an information-gathering interview and clarify career goals

Demonstrate knowledge of the uses and limitations of each type of interview questions

Describe the purpose of and appropriates conduct during each stage of an interview

Enhance business writing skills

The Career Research Interview assignment is designed to help you obtain career information and to enhance your competence in the interviewing process. You will conduct a 15-20 minute information-gathering interview of a professional in your field of career interest. Please note: You should not use this interview to seek employment or a promotion. You are simply seeking knowledge about a career you might be interested in. Do not choose direct family members as potential professionals to interview in your field of career interest. Materials to submit: The written portion of the assignment consists of three written documents: a strategic plan, a memo, a thank you e-mail and a recording that consist of your reflection of the interview. A. STRATEGIC PLAN: to use as your script during the interview. B. MEMO: (to the professor) summarizing what you learned from the professional and the interviewing process and what you would do differently. MEMO FORMAT with headings and bullets that includes a purpose statement: why you are sending the memo (do not include the words purpose statement). The memo includes two topic headings: 1.) What I learned from the Career Research Interview 2.) What I would do differently. C. THANK YOU E-MAIL: a typed thank you e-mail. Successful professionals write and send e-mails and letters of gratitude promptly. The e-mail should be sincere and to-the-point. Focus on two specific items that were meaningful to you. Develop them briefly, but in a personal way. End with an original expression of thanks (e.g. mention how you have been helped or recognize the generosity of the interviewee). Students are not required to submit a handwritten thank you note for this project. However, a handwritten note is always appreciated by mentors and future employers, etc. D. DEBRIEFING: Students will RECORD a reflection of the CRI experience.