1. Interview Assignment
Task:
You are to interview a student, or a recent graduate, who has achieved a measurable amount of
success in high school, at work or in life in general. You are trying to find out what has made this
person a success. What were/are the person’s goals? What strategies did he or she implement to
achieve those goals? What is this person’s attitude towards school and work? What is he or she doing
now? These are just some of the questions you might ask during the interview.
Objectives:
The purpose of this assignment is to practice your listening and note taking skills. It is also to practice
your writing skills. As well, it gives you the opportunity to meet a successful student and learn from
that student. But what is most important is the process you must put to work in order to complete this
assignment properly. This process is known as the “inquiry based” approach to learning; in this case
you will be exposed to the power of asking others for clarification, advice, support etc.
By the end of this assignment, students will be able to:
Demonstrate listening skills
Demonstrate note taking skills
Discuss learning goals and strategies with another person
Practice interviewing skills
Compose a written paper
Before the Interview
Do background research on individual so you will be knowledgeable and able to formulate pointed, thoughtful
questions.
Email the individual—introduce yourself, explain purpose, and set time, date, and place for interview.
Brainstorm initial set of interview questions.
Rearrange interview questions for logical order and degree of complexity.
Appear promptly or a few minutes early.
During the Interview
Thank the individual.
Explain the purpose again and remind them there is a follow up activity a week or so following
the formal interview to be conducted via email.
Begin with easy questions—name, career, etc.
Take notes as person speaks.
Rearrange questions to help interview flow smoothly.
Take field notes—setting; interviewee’s dress, facial expressions, appearance.
Add, delete, and change questions as needs arise.
Thank the individual.
After the Interview

2. During the follow up send the subject the graphic page outlining the 8 Traits to be Great from Richard St. John’s
book of a similar title. (This graphic can be found by following this link http://www.richardstjohn.com/)
Ask the person interviewed if they would choose the 3 traits that speak most to them and their
perception of success. Ask them further if they would mind providing some personalized details; for
example an anecdote about 1 or all of these 3 most personally relevant traits.
Prior to receiving their response “predict” which traits you “expect” them to choose as the most relevant to them;
you are to use your knowledge of them drawn from the interview in order to do this. In the final paper you must
provide a brief rationale as to why you chose the 3 traits you did.
Assignment Details
The paper should be at least three pages, double spaced. All of the criteria outlined above must be included in
this paper. In addition, it must include a front page and reference page (in MLA format). The paper is to be saved
as a Microsoft Word document with your last name in the title. For example, if your name is Jane Smith, you
would save the submitted document as SmithInterview.doc .