Informational Interviewing One of the best sources for gathering information about what’s happening in an occupation or an industry is to talk to people working in the field. This process is called informational or research interviewing. An informational interview is an interview that you initiate – you ask the questions. The purpose is to obtain information, not to get a job. Following are some good REASONS TO CONDUCT INFORMATIONAL INTEVIEWS: ”””to explore careers and clarify your career goal to discover employment opportunities that are not advertised to expand your professional network to build confidence for your job interviews to access the most up-to-date career information to identify your professional strengths and weaknesses Listed below are STEPS TO FOLLOW TO CONDUCT AN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW: 1. Identify the Occupation or Industry You Wish to Learn About Assess your own interests, abilities, values, and skills, and evaluate labor conditions and trends to identify the best fields to research. 2. Prepare for the Interview Read all you can about the field prior to the interview. Decide what information you would like to obtain about the occupation/industry. Prepare a list of questions that you would like to have answered. 3. Identify People to Interview Start with lists of people you already know – friends, relatives, fellow students, present or former co-workers, supervisors, neighbors, etc… Professional organizations, the yellow pages, organizational directories, and public speakers are also good resources. You may also call an organization and ask for the name of the person by job title. 4. Arrange the Interview Contact the person to set up an interview: o o o by telephone, by a letter followed by a telephone call, or by having someone who knows the person make the appointment for you. 5. Conduct the Interview Dress appropriately, arrive on time, be polite and professional. Refer to your list of prepared questions; stay on track, but allow for spontaneous discussion. Before leaving, ask your contact to suggest names of others who might be helpful to you and ask permission to use your contact’s name when contacting these new contacts. 6. Follow Up Immediately following the interview, record the information gathered. Be sure to send a thank-you note to your contact within one week of the interview. NOTE: Always analyze the information you’ve gathered. Adjust your job search, resume, and career objective if necessary. 20 QUESTIONS! Prepare a list of your own questions for your informational interview. 1. On a typical day in this position, what do you do? 2. What training or education is required for this type of work? 3. What personal qualities or abilities are important to being successful in this job? 4. What part of this job do you find most satisfying? most challenging? 5. How did you get your job? 6. What opportunities for advancement are there in this field? 7. What entry level jobs are best for learning as much as possible? 8. What are the salary ranges for various levels in this field? 9. How do you see jobs in this field changing in the future? 10. Is there a demand for people in this occupation? 11. What special advice would you give a person entering this field? 12. What types of training do companies offer persons entering this field? 13. What are the basic prerequisites for jobs in this field? 14. Which professional journals and organizations would help me learn more about this field? 15. What do you think of the experience I’ve had so far in terms of entering this field? 16. From your perspective, what are the problems you see working in this field? 17. If you could do things all over again, would you choose the same path for yourself? Why? What would you change? 18. With the information you have about my education, skills, and experience, what other fields or jobs would you suggest I research further before I make a final decision? 19. What do you think of my resume? Do you see any problem areas? How would you suggest I change it? 20. Who do you know that I should talk to next? When I call him/her, may I use your name? Week Two Assignment- Informational Interviewing and Work-Based Learning Interviewer: Noora Al Saegh Interviewee: S.M (Requested confidentiality to not reveal her name) Date of the Interview: April 8th, 2020 Describe your Informational Interview and the industry you chose and explain your reasoning for these choices. Through the interview with a school counselor, I believe that I have built my awareness of the experiences that a professional counselor experiences daily and gained a clear picture of what the daily tasks and the role of a counselor in academics, career, and personal/social development. I realized that helping students overcome obstacles to learning and assisting them with developmental, social, and family problems can be a meaningful way to earn a living. While there are a number of professions that involve working with students in a guidance capacity, school guidance counselors have the opportunity to focus most of their energies on influencing and counseling students, so they can achieve their fullest educational potentials. In my interview with an school guidance counselor, I was able to ask valuable questions with respect of the time that was set for the interview. The counselor was very supportive and knowledgeable to answer all the questions. School Counseling is my choice as a career. The reason that I want to be a school counselor are many, but the most is I like to help the students to become successful, I believe that every day that the counselors go to work, they’ll have a chance to make a difference. School counselors make a measurable impact in every student’s life, assisting with academic, career and personal/social development. Professional school counselors are trained in both educating and counseling, Who did you interview? What is their job title? S.D. She is School Counselor at a community college level. What does a day in the life look like? Was it similar to your expectations? I had the opportunity to learn about the daily routine of a professional school Counselor. However, the experienced counselor that I interviews over the phone said that the daily functions are never routine as each day brings new challenges with different students. The counselor that I interviewed discussed in details the job duties and many things have been covered in the interview such as explaining why certain tasks are performed in a certain way; information about the background, demographics of the school; and the positive, negative, and the challenging aspects of the job. Above all, there are essential qualities a counselor must possess to be successful and effective. The counselor explained to me many special programs and services community colleges offer students. Many of those programs and services are data-driven to track and implement strategies to improve the students’ education. What steps would you need to take to get there from where you are now? From where I am, I need to complete the rest of the courses in my Master Degree program and complete required internship hours. What types of work-experience or internships would be valuable as you are working toward your final goal? The valuable experience or internship that a student need to work as a counselor are; student services, counseling, teaching, Multicultural Competency. There are also many important skills such as Communication, human, Practice Management, Personal Attributes skills as a skilled counselor can identify negative thinking patterns and enable the clients to replace them with positive ones. What is the salary range of the job you chose? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ current Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median national annual salary for school counselors is $62,100. Actual salaries may vary greatly based on specialization within the field, location, years of experience and a variety of other factors. What are some aspects of the job that are most appealing to you? What aspects of the job do you think you would find most challenging or unappealing? It takes a lot of traits to make an effective counselor, there isn’t only one trait that makes a counselor rise or fall, and being able to offer a wide variety of skills to help students succeed is the best gauge there is. I have a great experience in student’s services and counseling. I believe and based of the evaluation that I receive from my employer, I am a good listener, excellent communicator and friendly. I also have Problem-Solving Skills, rapport-building skills, flexibility, self-awareness and multicultural competency. Based on the interview the counselor, she stated that as with any practice in a school setting, challenges and special issues are often identified, discussed, and managed. These can be categorized into four distinct domains 1) Internal challenges, which include issues related to clientele groups, teachers’ attitudes towards counseling, and students’ willingness to seek counseling; 2) External challenges, which refer to social-economic changes beyond the school. These include popular culture, globalization and societal trends of more families and students moving across borders; 3) Systems challenges, which are those within the guidance programs implemented by ministries, schools or counseling bodies What surprised you? Through the interview, I see the counselors thrive on helping people with personal, mental, educational, and career problems, but the job has its disadvantages, too. Counselors who start their own practices may find the disadvantages seem overwhelming until they become better established and produce more billable hours. While the advantages of a career in counseling should outweigh the negative aspects, a realistic view of the potential problems should help overcome any challenges could be part of the counseling job requires listening to people’s emotional problems day in and day out, the work may take a toll on your own mental state. How did you feel going in to the interview? How do you feel about it now? Interviewing a Community College Counselor was on-the-job learning. I have explored my knowledge in the Educational Counseling career. It was a great way to understand parts of the job in real time. It was an opportunity to put my theoretical knowledge to the test to learn how well I can adapt what I know to real life situations. Did you find this assignment to be valuable? Why or why not? I found the assignment to be most valuable as it helped me learn and navigate more information about the school counseling career and develop more professional skills that I would use in the future. I found out that the most rewarding part of being school counselor is that the counselor has the privilege of planting seeds that impact the students’ future. Purchase answer to see full attachment

Mastering the Art of Online Learning: Your Guide to Acing Online Courses

Introduction

In recent years, the popularity of online courses has skyrocketed, offering learners the flexibility to acquire new skills and knowledge from the comfort of their homes. However, succeeding in online courses requires a different approach compared to traditional classroom settings. To help you make the most of your online learning experience, this article presents essential strategies and tips to ace your online courses.

1. Set Clear Goals and Plan Ahead

Before embarking on an online course, establish clear goals and objectives. Determine what you hope to achieve by the end of the course and break down your goals into manageable milestones. Create a study schedule that aligns with your other commitments, ensuring you allocate dedicated time for coursework, assignments, and revision.

2. Create a Productive Study Environment

Establishing a conducive study environment is crucial for online learning success. Find a quiet, well-lit space where you can concentrate without distractions. Remove any potential interruptions, such as notifications from social media or email. Organize your study materials and have a reliable internet connection to ensure seamless access to course materials.

3. Actively Engage in the Course

Active participation is key to mastering online courses. Engage with course materials, including videos, readings, and interactive components. Take comprehensive notes, highlighting key concepts and ideas. Participate in discussion boards, forums, and virtual meetings to interact with instructors and peers, fostering a sense of community and enhancing your understanding of the subject matter.

4. Manage Your Time Effectively

Online courses offer flexibility, but it’s essential to manage your time wisely to avoid falling behind. Create a detailed schedule, allocating specific time slots for coursework, assignments, and studying. Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable segments to prevent procrastination. Prioritize tasks based on deadlines and dedicate focused time to each one, ensuring consistent progress throughout the course.

5. Develop Effective Communication Skills

Online courses often rely on written communication, making it crucial to hone your skills in this area. Be concise and clear in your written responses, paying attention to grammar and spelling. Actively participate in discussions, asking thoughtful questions and providing constructive feedback to your peers. Regularly check your course emails and notifications, ensuring you stay updated with any important announcements or changes.

6. Utilize Available Resources

Take full advantage of the resources provided by your online course platform and instructors. Familiarize yourself with the learning management system (LMS) and explore its features. Access supplementary materials, such as textbooks, lecture slides, and external resources recommended by instructors. Utilize online libraries, research databases, and tutorial services to deepen your understanding of the subject matter.

7. Stay Motivated and Engaged

Maintaining motivation throughout an online course can be challenging, particularly when faced with competing priorities or a lack of face-to-face interaction. Set short-term goals and reward yourself upon their completion. Connect with fellow learners through virtual study groups or online forums to foster a sense of camaraderie. Regularly remind yourself of the benefits and personal growth associated with completing the course successfully.

8. Seek Support and Clarification

Don’t hesitate to seek support or clarification when needed. Reach out to your instructors for guidance or clarification on course material. Utilize online discussion forums to ask questions or engage in collaborative problem-solving. Leverage the support services provided by your course platform or institution, such as technical support or academic advising.

Conclusion

Online courses present unique opportunities for self-paced learning and personal growth. By setting clear goals, creating a productive study environment, actively engaging with course materials, and managing your time effectively, you can maximize your chances of acing online courses. Remember to stay motivated, seek support when needed, and make the most of the available resources. Embrace the flexibility and adaptability of online learning to achieve your educational goals.