This is the Informational Interview Assignment and is due in Module 13 of class.
This is an ongoing assignment that you should be working toward across the semester. We are posting it now as a reminder that you should be making progress toward it. You should read the full assignment description below, but you will not submit anything to this dropbox until later in the semester. 
 
What are you doing? Interviewing a professional in psychology or a related field.
Choose a person to interview who is doing work that you may be interested in doing yourself. Contact that person by email or phone, and ask to have 20 or 30 minutes of their time to interview them about their career. We prefer that you conduct your interview in person or through Webex/Zoom, but if that is not possible, you may do a phone interview.
Do NOT interview over email, text messages or DMs.
WHO should you interview? Aim high! If you want to work for a non-profit one day, reach out to the president of one now and ask if you can chat. It’s possible they’ll say no, but it’s also possible they’ll say yes and you’ll get some great information. If you want to be a professor one day, don’t reach out to a graduate student to interview them, reach out to someone who is already a professor. 
Who should you NOT interview? There are a few limitations on who you can interview. You can’t interview one of your instructors for this course. You should also not interview a person you know well already (e.g., a family member, family friend, a boss); the goal is to make a NEW network contact via this assignment. 
Do not wait to make this appointment. You need to submit Proof of Contact in Module 3 of class.
 
Why are you doing it? We are asking you to do this assignment because it is a great way to connect with professionals in a field you’re interested in. Additionally, it’s a great way for you to learn whether a potential field is right for you.
 
How are you doing it? Prepare at least 5 broad, open ended (not yes/no) questions to ask your interviewee.
Here are some sample questions, but feel free to add others. 
- What are the most satisfying parts of your job?
- What parts of your job provide the most challenges?
- What is a typical day like for you at your job?
- What training and credentials are necessary for the job you do?
- What classes and experiences would be most helpful for someone interested in pursuing your career?
- How competitive is the job market in your field?
- What is the range of salaries in your field? What factors are associated with higher and lower salaries?
- What opportunities are there for promotion?
- What other jobs would you be qualified for with your degree and experience?
- In what direction do you see your field moving?
- What suggestions do you have for someone new to the field?
- What resources would you suggest for someone interested in your field?
 
End the interview by asking your interviewee for feedback about how you conducted yourself in the interview.
 
Other important information:
- Set your interview time and method (in-person, phone call, Webex/Zoom) at least a week before the deadline! 
- Dress appropriately.
- Be on time or a little bit early. 
- Be prepared with your questions and take good notes during the interview.
- After your interview, send a thank you email to your interviewee. 
 
What you will submit: Spelling and grammar count. Do not use AI, or borrow phrases or sentences from other sources. All work should be in your own words. DO NOT COPY AND PASTE OR EVEN PARAPHRASE IMPROPERLY FROM ANY SOURCE.
 
1-2 pages: Typed versions of the questions you asked and the general responses you received (this does not have to be word for word). Be sure you identify the particular job/career of the person you are interviewing.
2-3 pages: Analysis of the interview. What was the experience like for you? What did you gain from the interaction? What would you do differently next time? Did you feel like you made a potential "network" connection? How did this interview affect your feelings about this particular career?  
1 page: Screenshot of your Thank You email to your interviewee.
 
You should attach ONE Microsoft Word or PDF document containing all three items to the iCollege assignment dropbox. 
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This is the Informational Interview Assignment and is due in Module 13 of class.
This is an ongoing assignment that you should be working toward across the semester. We are posting it now as a reminder that you should be making progress toward it. You should read the full assignment description below, but you will not submit anything to this dropbox until later in the semester.
What are you doing? Interviewing a professional in psychology or a related field.
Choose a person to interview who is doing work that you may be interested in doing yourself. Contact that person by email or phone, and ask to have 20 or 30 minutes of their time to interview them about their career. We prefer that you conduct your interview in person or through Webex/Zoom, but if that is not possible, you may do a phone interview.
Do NOT interview over email, text messages or DMs.
WHO should you interview? Aim high! If you want to work for a non-profit one day, reach out to the president of one now and ask if you can chat. It’s possible they’ll say no, but it’s also possible they’ll say yes and you’ll get some great information. If you want to be a professor one day, don’t reach out to a graduate student to interview them, reach out to someone who is already a professor.
Who should you NOT interview? There are a few limitations on who you can interview. You can’t interview one of your instructors for this course. You should also not interview a person you know well already (e.g., a family member, family friend, a boss); the goal is to make a NEW network contact via this assignment.
Do not wait to make this appointment. You need to submit Proof of Contact in Module 3 of class.
Why are you doing it? We are asking you to do this assignment because it is a great way to connect with professionals in a field you’re interested in. Additionally, it’s a great way for you to learn whether a potential field is right for you.
How are you doing it? Prepare at least 5 broad, open ended (not yes/no) questions to ask your interviewee.
Here are some sample questions, but feel free to add others.
- What are the most satisfying parts of your job?
- What parts of your job provide the most challenges?
- What is a typical day like for you at your job?
- What training and credentials are necessary for the job you do?
- What classes and experiences would be most helpful for someone interested in pursuing your career?
- How competitive is the job market in your field?
- What is the range of salaries in your field? What factors are associated with higher and lower salaries?
- What opportunities are there for promotion?
- What other jobs would you be qualified for with your degree and experience?
- In what direction do you see your field moving?
- What suggestions do you have for someone new to the field?
- What resources would you suggest for someone interested in your field?
End the interview by asking your interviewee for feedback about how you conducted yourself in the interview.
Other important information:
- Set your interview time and method (in-person, phone call, Webex/Zoom) at least a week before the deadline!
- Dress appropriately.
- Be on time or a little bit early.
- Be prepared with your questions and take good notes during the interview.
- After your interview, send a thank you email to your interviewee.
What you will submit: Spelling and grammar count. Do not use AI, or borrow phrases or sentences from other sources. All work should be in your own words. DO NOT COPY AND PASTE OR EVEN PARAPHRASE IMPROPERLY FROM ANY SOURCE.
1-2 pages: Typed versions of the questions you asked and the general responses you received (this does not have to be word for word). Be sure you identify the particular job/career of the person you are interviewing.
2-3 pages: Analysis of the interview. What was the experience like for you? What did you gain from the interaction? What would you do differently next time? Did you feel like you made a potential “network” connection? How did this interview affect your feelings about this particular career?
1 page: Screenshot of your Thank You email to your interviewee.
You should attach ONE Microsoft Word or PDF document containing all three items to the iCollege assignment dropbox.
Due on Nov 24, 2025 8:00 AMAvailable on Sep 1, 2025 9:00 AM. Access restricted before availability starts.Available until Dec 3, 2025 8:00 AM. Access restricted after availability ends.Hide
