Paris Harrell

Informational Interview
2/9/15
Interviewed: Kay Jacobs, Director of Recruitment, Teach For America
Informational Interviewing Questions:
How would you describe a typical workday? What are the
duties/functions/responsibilities of your job? What kinds of problems do
you deal with?
A typical workday is very similar to one of a teacher. You are employed by the
school directly and follow their code of conduct. As a TFA employee your duty is to
put your heart into your work, and help your students grow. You will have a support
team to assist you with any problems that may arise.
What skills and experiences will I need to get this type of job?
We look for candidate who have a desire to make a difference. Experience that
involves helping others is ideal. We also look for leadership experience. That may be
in a school organization, in the workplace or a personal leadership role. We also
look for achievements, both academically and organizational.
How does a person progress in your field? What is a typical career path
in this field or organization?
Candidates sign up for a two-year commitment, but often times extend their
commitment. Once a TFA member, always a member. There are opportunities to
progress in the field. Instead of teaching, some candidates choose to work to recruit
students or spread the word of TFA and the need for our program.
What is the best way to enter this occupation?
The best way to enter this occupation is to be dedicated. If a candidate is certain
they want to be part of TFA, applying for Early Admissions is an option. The deadline
is March 6th. If a candidate does not get accepted during early admissions they can
reapply in the fall!
Are there rewards aside from things such as money, fringe benefits,
travel, etc.?
The insurance goes through the school district that you are employed in, which is
usually great! You also are off on weekend/holidays. (Aside from a few TFA
conferences) You get to travel and we assist you with moving costs! We place you in
one of your top ten cities, which is often a new place for many.

 What are the educational, requirements for this job? What other types
of credentials or licenses are required? What types of training do
companies offer persons entering this field? Is graduate school
recommended? An MBA? Does the company encourage and pay for
employees to pursue graduate degrees?
You do not have to have an education degree to enter this job, but a bachelors
degree is to be acquired before starting. There is an intense 5 week training session
that TFA requires candidates to attend. Graduate school is not required, but is
something our candidates can choose to do. We do not directly pay for employees
to pursue graduate degrees, but we do offer an educational grant that can be used
for Grad School.
How important are grades/GPA for obtaining a job in this field?
Grades are important, but we dont discredit a student based on GPA. As long as a
student meets the 2.5 requirement they are eligible to apply. We do not look at
honor societies. GPA speaks for itself.
Do you have any advice for someone interested in this field/job? Are
there any written materials you suggest I read? Which trade/professional
journals and organizations would help me learn more about this field?
Signing up for TFA emails are a great way to gain knowledge about the issues in
urban education. Our website also is very thorough and provides a wealth of
information.
What special advice do you have for a student seeking to qualify for this
position?
Be sure to review the What we look for list before applying. Meet with the career
service office and be sure that this job is something I have a passion for.
What courses have proved to be the most valuable to you in your work?
What would you recommend for me?
All of the courses were valuable to me, even though my major was not in education.
We place you in a field in which you are best suited. You mentioned that you wanted
to work with special needs. Although you dont have a degree in special education,
we look at your experience and can place you where you would best flourish. In fact,
we are in need of Special Education teachers.

After speaking with Ms. Jacobs, I am even more certain that I want to
pursue a career with Teach for America. It is only a two-year commitment,

unless I choose to make it longer. I really have nothing to lose. I have always
wanted to be a teacher in the urban district. There is such a need for good,
qualified teachers in this field, and I would be honored to be a TFA member.
This organization gives me an opportunity to follow my dreams. It also allows
me to travel to a new state, and teach special need children. I know teaching
in urban areas can often be a challenge, but with TFA, I know I will have a
solid group of teachers who I can lean on for support. I learned that TFA is
not a competitive organization, but more of a selective organization. It
accepts as many candidates that are qualified. I also learned that they award
us educational grants to assist us with student loans or grad school. After
talking with Ms. Jacobs, I do feel as if I am qualified for this position. Not only
is my resume showing that, but my heart is in the right place. The only thing
that I worry about is the testing factor. We gage student progress through
testing and I dont believe that is the best way. However, testing is used
regardless of whether I participate in TFA. After this interview, I plan on
starting the Early Admission application. Even if I do not get again, I can
reassess and reapply in the fall.