Talking to workers in a career will help you: 1) find answers that you need to make good decisions, and 
2) start building your network of contacts.  Don’t be shy.  Workers enjoy talking about their careers.  Or, the 
worker may direct you to another worker who can answer your quesitons.
Find workers in the career —
•  Ask your teacher, friends, and relatives if they know of a person who works in the career area.
•  Get a list of professional organizations (groups) for this career from the  Internet or from Occupational 
Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/ooh).  Call the professional organization and ask if you may speak 
with a person in this job so that you can research the career.
•  Visit a community college or college career center.  Ask if the career center has a list of graduates 
from the college (alumni) who are employed in the career and willing to talk to you.  
•  Use the internet to search for companies that employ workers in the career .  Call the company’s Human 
Resource Office and ask if you may interview an employee about the career .
Get permission to ask questions for the career interview —
  "Hello.  I’m Jason Smith and I would appreciate your help.  I’m thinking about a career in accounting.     
I have researched the career, but I’d like to talk to someone who is actually working in accounting.  
May I ask you some questions about your career?"
Questions to ask the worker in the career —
1.  What is your name? What is your job title?
2.  What is the best way to train for this type of job?
3.  What are the job duties you do during the work day?
4.  What do you enjoy about this job?  
5.  What causes you stress during the work day?
6.  How is technology changing this career area?
7.  What skills are needed in your job?
8.  What do you find most challenging about your job?  
9.  What personal qualities are important for success in your job?
10.  What changes do you see in the future for this career area?
11.  Have people left this job to go into related jobs?  Please explain.
12.  "Thank you for taking the time to talk to me about your career!" (and smile).
QUICK CHECK:
1.  a) List 2 advantages of talking to workers in the career.   b) What do workers enjoy? 
2.  a) List 2 places to find names of career organizations.  b) Where can you visit?  c) For what do you ask?
3.  Give an example what you might say to get permission to ask questions for the career interview .
4.  Find one worker in an interesting career.  Ask this worker the 11 questions listed above.   
  Write his or her answers on a piece of notebook paper to give to your teacher.  
  IMPORTANT:  Do not ask the worker to write out the answers.  Write out the answers yourself!	
Interview Workers from Your Family, School, City
U.S. Work World
CAREER mini-lesson
College & Career Publishing. Permission to use with usworkworld.com subscription.