Name: Kassi

Project #3 Informational Interviewing –

Questions
Secretary:
*IMPORTANT – get the following information:
Name: Nancy Anderson
Title: Secretary to the Principal
Address: 1521 E Granet, Hazel Park, MI
Phone: (248) 225-5215
1.How did you get into this field? She was told her job (She was in
the medical field) was more important than family. She decide
working in the schools were more family-friendly. She first was a
lunch/parking lot aide. A secretary position with Adult Education
was available. It paid better so she took it. That job was eliminated
after 5 years and she was bumped to the elementary school where
she became the secretary to the principal.
2.What has helped you be successful? She loves kids and is a big
supporter of the schools. She said, “if you love your job, it makes it
easier to be successful.”
3.What suggestions would you have for someone starting in this
field? She said to ask questions and know that you are going to
make mistakes. Also, build positive relationships at work because
“any job is a 100 times better if you enjoy being around your
coworkers.”
4.What are the educational requirements of your job? HS diploma,
typing of 50+ words a minute, a Work Keys test, ability to use
Google, Knows laws of confidentiality
5.What do you like most about your job? Her relationship with the
“bad” kids. Most of them come from bad homes and they may have
done bad things. She reminds them that everybody makes mistakes
and they sometimes even write her notes and give her drawings.
They are like her own kids.
6.What do you like least about your job? Accounting paper work,
and payroll, count day and attendance auditing. When she’s doing
that she can’t interact with the students. She also does not like
having to deal with the irritating parents (ones who don’t believe
their child, don’t think they have to follow rules and don’t have
respect for the educational process). Plus sometimes she gets cussed
out by them.
7.What does a typical workday consist of? First, she gets situated.
She then makes sure important papers go home and that lunch count
forms are in the teachers’ mail boxes. She then meets with her boss
and check in for morning pep talks. She makes sure they have sub
covering teachers who are out and to go over the day’s schedule.
She checks in kids who are late and order their lunches. She makes
sure attendance is done. Until lunch she answers calls, runs copies,
work on stressful paper work. She also assists students who enter
the office for illness, injury or behavioral issues. She enters behavior
referrals and discipline reports into students’ records. She helps a
diabetic student with her insulin. She handles minor discipline
issues like detentions and parent phone calls if the principal is out.
She monitors kids who have lunch detention. Once school lunch is
over, she eats hers. Then she does everything again, except she
checks kids out of school instead of late check ins. Once school is
out, she oversees kids who didn’t get picked up on time. She cleans
her desk, finalize events and checks her messages. Normally, every
day is different though.
8.What opportunities for advancement or professional growth are
available? Depends where you work if there is anything higher up.
Because of the Union, if there is a higher position job, it goes by
seniority. Other than that, the only way to get a higher position
would be to get a degree.
9.What salary range would a beginning person expect to make in
this career? $21,600 for a 10 month schedule is the lowest in her
district. Depends on the school, though. Some may get paid
minimum wage. The salary increases every year.
10.What kinds of fringe benefits and travel requirements can I
expect from this career? Just to or from work. She likes to have
treats for the kids too, which is out of pocket.
11.What advice do you have for me about where to go from here?
“The kids that seem the hardest to love, are the ones that need your
love the most.” Also, “Don’t do it unless your heart is really in it.”
12.Could you give me one or two contact names of others in this
field that I could visit with? Would you mind if I said you referred
me?
Thank you very much for your time. I appreciate the information
that you have shared with me.
(Remember to send a Thank You note!
Distribution System Operator
(I didn’t get to ask anyone with one of the other jobs, so I went with
my six option)
*IMPORTANT – get the following information:
Name: Michael Adkins
Title: Distribution System Operator
Address: 408 5th street NE, Braham MN, 55006
Phone: 763-439-3002
1.How did you get into this field? He put his resume in for different
field because he had schooling in computer programming. They
liked his resume and gave him an interview for this field instead.
2.What has helped you be successful? He does his job well.
3.What suggestions would you have for someone starting in this
field? Get the education and get your foot in the door as soon as you
can to retire early.
4.What are the educational requirements of your job? Associate
degree in Electrical Distribution.
5.What do you like most about your job? Because he does 12 hour
shifts, every other week he gets 4 days off.
6.What do you like least about your job? Overnight shifts. He
rotates days and nights.
7.What does a typical workday consist of? Coordinating linemen for
planned daily maintenance of distribution system. He makes sure no
linemen gets hurt while they are working on a line.
8.What opportunities for advancement or professional growth are
available? He could move up to management.
9.What salary range would a beginning person expect to make in
this career? $22 per hour
10.What kinds of fringe benefits and travel requirements can I
expect from this career? No travel requirements. Benefits: Vacation,
dental, life insurance, retirement funds.
11.What advice do you have for me about where to go from here?
Go to college or get an entry level and work my way up.
12.Could you give me one or two contact names of others in this
field that I could visit with? Would you mind if I said you referred
me?
Thank you very much for your time. I appreciate the information
that you have shared with me.
(Remember to send a Thank You note!