Bittersweet Beginnings: My First Round of Interviewing

Interviewing three women on choosing their collegiate field of study, made me feel uplifted and intrigued. I realized I was not the only one who had changed my major and had a hard time "figuring things out" during my early college experience. Each conversation blossomed into laughter and understanding from similarity in situations.

Before interviewing each student, I had my questions outlined as well as cues to help direct me in conversation. I found this approach successful in helping me guide discussion. Each conversation was held on a phone-call that lasted around five-minutes. After the call had ended, I had the information I needed to write my story. However, I found areas where I could do better in the future through trial-and-error.

After the interviews, I found that going back after each interview to organize my findings would help me grow in the future. Right after an interview, arranging quote attribution and organizing facts will help shape the information to better myself when writing a story. Once the interview-call has ended, while the information is still fresh, I must go over the information given. Refreshing and reorganizing will also shape how I would ask my next interviewee a list of questions.

Secondly, I would restructure what questions I ask. After taking the time to organize information, I could conjure a list of better questions for another individual. I asked each of the women the same list of questions, which gave me the same information regarding their field of study and how they got there. I found that I could have asked different questions that would have helped the fluidity of the story --where do you see yourself in 10 years as a ______ major? Where there any classes or professors that helped you decide your major? These questions help take the story to a different level of application and understanding for the reader.

After the interviews, I found myself excited for the journey ahead. Not just for the story, but the opportunity in improving my writing, interviewing and organization skills. I found myself confident in relating to each of the women and holding conversation. This confidence, however, has the opportunity to grow beyond phone interviews as I hold face-to-face interviews, asking bold questions--me and my notepad.