You are to interview a person whom you consider to be an expert in the career field that you plan to enter upon graduation and report your findings in memorandum form. As you work on this assignment, be sure to consult your class schedule for reading assignments.

Purpose and Audience

The purpose of the interview is to gather information that you and others in your curriculum need or want to know. Some possibilities are listed below:

• career opportunities in the field (You may want information about types of jobs available, job descriptions, potential employers, salaries, or opportunities for advancement, for example.)
• technical advances in equipment or machinery used in the field
• information on research being conducted in the field
• new procedures being used
• types of technical writing done in this career area (It might be helpful to narrow this inquiry to a particular job level.)
• other (Please clear with me.)

The interview will go smoothly if you are organized. Follow these steps:

1. Decide upon your exact purpose. What do you want to find out? What do you and others in your field (your audience) want to know?
2. Write a list of questions to use during the interview. Open-ended questions produce the best results.
3. Identify a person who has the information you need. You may not interview an instructor or anyone who lives in your household.
4. Call or visit that person, explain your assignment and purpose, and make an appointment.
5. Conduct the interview; take notes—your memory is not as good as you think. Accurate reporting is essential. During the interview topics may arise that you have not anticipated; this is "bonus information." If it is pertinent, include it in your report.
6. Write a thank you note or letter to the person that you interviewed.

Check your course schedule for due dates. The following items are due as you complete Phase 1.

A progress report (memorandum format) to me reporting the status of the interview. Information should include the name of the person you will interview, the date, time and place of the interview, and the general purpose of the interview. A photocopy of your questions and the notes that you took during the interview. (Be sure to keep a copy for your own use.) A photocopy of the thank-you note or letter that you are sending

These items may be turned in any time during the day and may be placed in my mailbox.

The Interview Project: Checklist for Phase 1 Documents

PROGRESS REPORT
	Correct Format
	Required Information name, position, organization of person interviewed date, time, place of interview purpose of interview work completed, work remaining, plan for completion
	Copy of Interview Questions
	Copy of Interview Notes
	Copy of Thank-You Letter or Note