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How would I go about finding someone to interview for my finals?
How would I go about going finding someone to interview that is working in a field related to my major? (history) It's for finals and I have no social connection whatsoever.
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Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
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Paul’s Answer
I would look at local colleges and universities.
Many college and university history professors would absolutely leap at a chance to be interviewed about their work teaching and doing research in history.
They can be found at college and university department websites, and can normally be reached via email.
Many college and university history professors would absolutely leap at a chance to be interviewed about their work teaching and doing research in history.
They can be found at college and university department websites, and can normally be reached via email.
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Deborah’s Answer
If you have no social connections whatsoever, I'm guessing you are either very new to this area or you are an introvert or both. So finding some support for yourself could be different depending on this. That means I'm recommending you start with these things: 1) find someone who seems "user friendly" to you, who might listen to you talk out your process, or help you build up some stamina (others might call it confidence) for reaching out to people you dont know. 2) What area(s) of history interest you most? Or, does it matter for your project? 3) what questions do you want to ask, or have to ask, depending on the parameters of your project. 4) look at college and university websites to see who is in the history department(s), then email them to ask if they are available or willing to be interviewed. Many people would be willing to help, and the interview could be conducted by phone or zoom possibly if that makes you more comfortable. It also sounds like you have been given lots of good advice from others who have also respondedt o your question. I wish you the best.
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Jennifer !
The project that you speak of sounds very interesting and exciting ! It's great that you are inquiring now so that you will be prepared when you start your interview assignment.
The first piece of advice I would give you is to get a sound recorder app on your phone and interview the people by speaking and recording them so that you can put notes together later and the interview will go quicker. And yes, interview a variety of people. Try to arrange meetings with staff at museums, community archives, historical society community members, military Veterans groups, council members in your local area. Everything is History. What I mean by that is almost every field of work has an interesting origin and historical data that you can draw from.
Another route would be to meet with staff in the arts and sciences - at theatres and medical venues. Unless your project is specific to the History of a particular topic, for instance American History or The Golden Age or the Renaissance, and if you get to choose the way your project is constructed, it would be great to have a variety of experts talk about specific histories.
There is an awesome place on line that you can go to ! It is called Historum and it is a message board where people discuss History. You can probably register there (I have provided the link below) and just interview the members by posting your specific questions and see who responds. Than copy and paste their information to a note pad on your computer and you will have notes for your project.
I have given you some very generalized advice for this because you didn't mention or even probably yet know what topic or construct your interview needs to have. But these are some ideas to make a connection with people who can 'talk History' with you. It's one thing to have a project generally saying History, and it's another thing to actually speak with people who have lived history or are expert in the history of their field of work. So there's a lot of ways you can take this, but making the contacts is the first step.
For the quickest and most effective contact, I would suggest in person visits because you won't have to wait for a return phone call or return e-mail. Face to face initial contact would be best if possible.
I hope this is something that can help you and I am impressed that you are preparing for this now so that you will have time to develop your ideas for your final project. I wish you all the best and it sounds like a very fun project !
https://historum.com/ HISTORUM HISTORY MESSAGE BOARD FORUM
The project that you speak of sounds very interesting and exciting ! It's great that you are inquiring now so that you will be prepared when you start your interview assignment.
The first piece of advice I would give you is to get a sound recorder app on your phone and interview the people by speaking and recording them so that you can put notes together later and the interview will go quicker. And yes, interview a variety of people. Try to arrange meetings with staff at museums, community archives, historical society community members, military Veterans groups, council members in your local area. Everything is History. What I mean by that is almost every field of work has an interesting origin and historical data that you can draw from.
Another route would be to meet with staff in the arts and sciences - at theatres and medical venues. Unless your project is specific to the History of a particular topic, for instance American History or The Golden Age or the Renaissance, and if you get to choose the way your project is constructed, it would be great to have a variety of experts talk about specific histories.
There is an awesome place on line that you can go to ! It is called Historum and it is a message board where people discuss History. You can probably register there (I have provided the link below) and just interview the members by posting your specific questions and see who responds. Than copy and paste their information to a note pad on your computer and you will have notes for your project.
I have given you some very generalized advice for this because you didn't mention or even probably yet know what topic or construct your interview needs to have. But these are some ideas to make a connection with people who can 'talk History' with you. It's one thing to have a project generally saying History, and it's another thing to actually speak with people who have lived history or are expert in the history of their field of work. So there's a lot of ways you can take this, but making the contacts is the first step.
For the quickest and most effective contact, I would suggest in person visits because you won't have to wait for a return phone call or return e-mail. Face to face initial contact would be best if possible.
I hope this is something that can help you and I am impressed that you are preparing for this now so that you will have time to develop your ideas for your final project. I wish you all the best and it sounds like a very fun project !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
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Delka’s Answer
Hello Jennifer,
I am an Archaeologist. I have many suggestions but I need some more information. If you want find me on LinkedIn or Facebook. Delka Georgieva
I am an Archaeologist. I have many suggestions but I need some more information. If you want find me on LinkedIn or Facebook. Delka Georgieva
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Mark’s Answer
Lots of answers with good information in them. For the stated question, start with Mr. Goetzinger's suggestion: your school. This doesn't mean, necessarily, to ask your professor's for an interview, though you certainly can. Try asking them for colleagues they might suggest you contact to conduct an interview. Usually, a professional will have contacts that can do different things (the better the professional, the more contacts they are likely to have); they will also give you some of the best tips on how to introduce yourself (and may even have advance contact to prep them for your introductory experience). Starti
ng with the people you know is always a good beginning to branching out.
Another suggestion is reach out to local museums. The staff is very likely to assist you in your quest. Nice thing about museums is that they often employ various types of historians (and the Bay Area has A LOT of various museums - with a little research, you are likely to find one that will fit your needs) and even if they do not or cannot match up to your requirements, they also have colleagues to whom they can refer you.
Also, do not forget to re-trace your steps. Go back to your high school history department and chat with them. Many teachers really enjoy when a former student reaches out after graduation and will go that extra mile to assist.
HOWEVER, before you start reaching out, make sure you have thought through the specifics of the information you are searching for during the interview. Know what specifics you need addressed. This will help the people you contact make better suggestions and the people you interview to give the most relevant information they can provide.
it's like doing a research paper, but in real-time. Which, you have to admit, is pretty neat.
ng with the people you know is always a good beginning to branching out.
Another suggestion is reach out to local museums. The staff is very likely to assist you in your quest. Nice thing about museums is that they often employ various types of historians (and the Bay Area has A LOT of various museums - with a little research, you are likely to find one that will fit your needs) and even if they do not or cannot match up to your requirements, they also have colleagues to whom they can refer you.
Also, do not forget to re-trace your steps. Go back to your high school history department and chat with them. Many teachers really enjoy when a former student reaches out after graduation and will go that extra mile to assist.
HOWEVER, before you start reaching out, make sure you have thought through the specifics of the information you are searching for during the interview. Know what specifics you need addressed. This will help the people you contact make better suggestions and the people you interview to give the most relevant information they can provide.
it's like doing a research paper, but in real-time. Which, you have to admit, is pretty neat.
Katherine Avery
Run a music studio and teach private music lessons; teach college-level religion classes
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Katherine’s Answer
Join some Facebook groups or follow people who do what you do on LinkedIn, and start engaging on those platforms, and you'll start being able to form some acquaintances.
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Matt’s Answer
Hi Michelle - it is great that you are thinking ahead! My advice would be to think about places where you might be able to make connections to the type of person you want to interview - and then go along to those places and ask people if they can help you. Whilst it is nerve wracking and scary to approach people for help (it scares me for sure) what I always find is that people love to help and people have fascinating experiences and connections and if you are genuinely looking for help and willing to learn amazing things will happen. I do not know what type of person you might need to interview - but you could search for local museums / archives in and around San Francisco - and then go along and speak to people. For example I am sure you could find archivists and historians here https://sfpl.org/locations/main-library/sf-history-center. There are also a bunch of historical meetups in the bay area - for example search google for “san francisco history meetups”. I hope these ideas help! Good luck.
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Jerry’s Answer
First: I'd take Paul's advice and contact individuals who teach history. But, maybe at least two. One in higher education and one. perhaps, in high school (though not where you go, or went, to high school).
You live in an excellent area re educational institutions. I suggest you do a random search of both high schools and institutions of higher learning. Try a table of random numbers to use as a choice. Pick at least ten individuals, perhaps twenty would be better, that appear to fit your needs. Ten to twenty from both categories, List them. Again generate a table of random numbers and, from that, list the high school and institution of higher learning individuals.
Contact the first two from your generated list.
1. State your name, institution and "project".
2. The questions you will be asking:
a. Their background; academic
b. Their historical specialty
c, Reasons for their choice
3. The positives related to their profession.
4. Negatives
5. Anything additional they wish to add.
6. Indicate you will send to them a draft of your work prior to your submittal.
7. Indicate that their names will not be used. Inquire if they wish to submit a description.
8. If they do not wish their institutional name be used, you will have to work out a description that will not indicate any precise institution.
Assume you are a journalist reporting an interview. You are NOT an op-ed writer. In other words, whether you agree or disagree with what the resondents have stated is not an issue.
This is a lot of work. Granted. But that's the nature of the game.
You live in an excellent area re educational institutions. I suggest you do a random search of both high schools and institutions of higher learning. Try a table of random numbers to use as a choice. Pick at least ten individuals, perhaps twenty would be better, that appear to fit your needs. Ten to twenty from both categories, List them. Again generate a table of random numbers and, from that, list the high school and institution of higher learning individuals.
Contact the first two from your generated list.
1. State your name, institution and "project".
2. The questions you will be asking:
a. Their background; academic
b. Their historical specialty
c, Reasons for their choice
3. The positives related to their profession.
4. Negatives
5. Anything additional they wish to add.
6. Indicate you will send to them a draft of your work prior to your submittal.
7. Indicate that their names will not be used. Inquire if they wish to submit a description.
8. If they do not wish their institutional name be used, you will have to work out a description that will not indicate any precise institution.
Assume you are a journalist reporting an interview. You are NOT an op-ed writer. In other words, whether you agree or disagree with what the resondents have stated is not an issue.
This is a lot of work. Granted. But that's the nature of the game.
Updated
Ashley’s Answer
Definitely consider dropping by your college's career center or the alumni center. You'll find helpful individuals there who have connections with alumni and potential employers in your area of study. It's quite common for me to receive LinkedIn messages from students currently enrolled at the universities where I earned my degrees. So, don't hesitate to reach out, it could open up exciting opportunities for you!
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Nathaniel’s Answer
Hiyah Jennifer,
I’ve referred your question to an historian friend of mine at UCSF. I’ve asked if she is willing to be an interview subject. If she agrees, I’m sure you will find her interesting and her career path instructive.
Nathaniel
I’ve referred your question to an historian friend of mine at UCSF. I’ve asked if she is willing to be an interview subject. If she agrees, I’m sure you will find her interesting and her career path instructive.
Nathaniel
Hi Nathaniel, thank you for your efforts in assisting Jennifer. Can you have your historian friend at UCSF join the platform as a professional where they can communicate with Jennifer? For safety and privacy reasons, we need to keep communication on the platform.
Sharyn Grose, Admin
Sharyn Grose,
I need to know if you sent out my referral email to my UCSF historian friend, or if I need to explain to her from the beginning.
Nathaniel Wander
Nathaniel - if you used the refer button on the website, it should have sent them a message
Gurpreet Lally, Admin
Thanks Gurpreet. I believe I did use the button.
Nathaniel Wander