1. Borchert 1
Abigail Borchert
Roxanne Heimann
Corner Stone
4 September 2014
Interviewing a Professor
When I started to think about which professor I wanted to interview I immediately thought
of Dr. Harry Brod. Dr. Brod is my instructor for the course; women, men and society. In the first
day of class he told us that he was born in another country and when he was two he moved to
New York. I found this very interesting, wondering just how he found his place at the University
of Northern Iowa.
I emailed Dr. Brod on Tuesday explaining that I would like to interview him and what it
was for. Just a few hours later Dr. Brod emailed me back saying he would be pleased to talk to
me. Having professors in the past who have not answered for days it was a great surprise, to
have such an immediate response. The only problem, was finding a time, with some
communication and Brod graciously pushing back a meeting, we finally found a time.
Any nervousness about doing the interview was gone after I saw how easily Dr. Brod
was to work with. When I went into Dr. Brod office it was filled with books! It seemed as though
every nook and cranny was stuffed. After the interview as I was walking out of the building, I
curiously looked into other offices of professors. I didn’t find another office who had so many.
Once I introduced myself and explained again why I was interview him, Dr. Brod and I
began to discuss some of the questions, I had wrote up for him. Even though I had questions
and he was answering, it didn’t feel like an interview. I mean that in a good way, it felt as though
we were just two friends talking. Brod shared his story with me and I even shared a little of my
own. I felt very comfortable talking to Brod, it was as though he was one of my teachers from

2. Borchert 2
high school. There was nothing scarcey or nerve racking like some students might think. Just a
simple human being like the rest of us.
After meeting with Brod I feel like will be more likely to go to him for help. Whether that
help be for his class or just for advice. I will definitely feel more comfortable, if I ever need to ask
for a recommendation. Seeing how easy and rewarding this experience has been going and
talking to Brod, I want to do it with my other professors.