INFORMATION INTERVIEW #3

DATE: 2/25/2010

COMPANY: UNC – Chapel Hill
TYPE: State College
LOCATION: Chapel Hill, NC
TITLE: Assistant Director for Career Exploration
EDUCATION: M.S in Counseling from California State University/B.A in Sociology from same school
INTREST: Soccer

WHAT DID I LEARN OVERALL FROM THIS INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW?
The college saw a need to respond to an overwhelming amount of students whom did not know what career they wanted to pursue. Therefore the school made a position called Career Exploration that I find refreshing and much needed.

WHAT WERE THE POSITIVE’S AND NEGATIVE’S OF EACH INTERVIEWEE’S JOB?
This position may not be such a good fit for me. I feel that as a Career Exploration assistant, one is too distant from the student. Once you help the student find their direction that is the end of the counseling. This aspect does not appeal to me.
In this role, one will need to teach resume improvement courses as well as group counsel students that need more vocational help. I believe doing this would appeal to my need to teach and really “walk” with the student on there journey.

COULD I HAVE DONE ANYTHING TO IMPROVE THIS INTERVIEW?
In this interview, I was a bit late arriving there. This to me, would have been a deal breaker for me but the interviewee was so kind to me about it. I appreciate her kindness but I am upset that I was late. I hope this never happens again.

ASSUMING THAT I STILL WANT TO PURSUE MY ORIGINAL CAREER DIRECTION, WHAT IS MY STRATEGY FOR SEEKING A JOB IN THIS FIELD?
If I were interested in this position, I would first try to find jobs as an advisor for different undergrad programs in order to build up my resume. Doing this will give me a diverse perspective on other careers and it’s corresponding majors, so that when you counsel students who need help identifying a major/career that fulfills there interest, you can administer more efficiently. As important as this position is, this career path is not as appealing as a Student Counselor, Career Counselor or Retention Counselor position. However, the information was good to know.