This document provides questions for interviewing a professional in the career field of foreign language interpretation. The interviewee discusses working as a polyglot for the government or UN, with duties that could involve travel to dangerous locations. They note the rewarding aspect is helping the world, and that their career has involved significant travel since being assigned by the UN/government wherever needed. School prepared them adequately by providing a basis in writing and languages, but higher education in linguistics and learning four languages was most helpful for this career.

1. Career Interview Questions
In this activity, your job is locate a professional in your career field choice. You are to interview the individual and
provide the responses to the following questions in the portfolio. It would be a good idea to send your interviewee a thank
you card for their time and willingess to assist you in your project.
1.What do you do in your job?
I would be interpreting foreign language in person or in a office as a poly-linguist in the
government or the U.N
2.What is a typical day like for the position?
It could vary to be very boring or to a dangerous 3rd world country.
3.What hours do you work?
My hours could vary as well.
4.What school subjects are important for this job?
To learn the basis of language and come from a good writing backround.
5.How and when did you decide to enter this job?
I decided to enter this job field when I was in High School and I learned that I love to learn new languages.
6.What are the most rewarding aspects of the position? What are the most challenging components of the
position?
The most rewarding aspects of my position is learning that I am helping the world in many positive ways.
7.Did you have a career plan that you followed?
Yes, go to college to get a P.hD in linguistics and learn 4 different languages.
8.What major changes have happened in your career area since you have been working?
I have been traveling a lot since the U.N/ government ships me where I am needed, it can
vary to a American Embassy to a war torn Iraq.
9.Would you change anything about your job?
I wouldn't change a thing about my job.
10.Did school prepare you adequately for your work?
Learning the basis of writing and latin in school did help, and going to college to study
language in a much higher degree helped as well.
11.How do you coordinate your family/home/job responsibilities?
I would often call them from a world wide telephone or use the internet through a confidential network of course.
12.What personal characteristics are important in your job? (Working with people, data,
things, good speaking and writing skills, working under pressure, working inside or outside.)
There is a lot of pressure, I have to use a fake name in order to keep my loved one safe, but I am helping the
greater good.
Again thank your interviewee for their time and willingness to assist you.