Conducting interviews is a great way for students to get information on their topics, and also to practice introducing themselves, having a conversation, and being organized. These tips can be downloaded as a pdf at the bottom of this page.
Here is some advice that might be helpful to younger students conduct interviews.
Purpose
Informational interviews are short chats where you can learn more about someone or what they do and what they think of a topic or a problem.
How to Ask
Introduce Yourself: Start by saying your name and maybe what grade you're in.
Explain Why You Want to Chat: You don’t need a big reason! Here are some things you could say:
- "I heard you’re working on an interesting project, and I’d love to know more about it."
- "You seem to know a lot about [a subject], and I’d like to learn from you."
- "I’d love to hear about your work and what you do."
Be Flexible: If they seem busy, let them know you can chat whenever they have time. You can suggest a quick conversation during lunch or after school.
Preparing for the Chat
Before you meet, think about what you specifically want to talk about.
Introduce Yourself: Start with a quick hello and share a bit about yourself.
Set Goals for the Chat: Mention why you wanted to talk and what you hope to learn.
Prepare Questions: Make sure you write down some questions. (It’s sometimes hard to remember what you wanted to ask when in the middle of a conversation!)
During the Interview
Arrive Early: If you’re meeting in person, get there a bit early.
Show Appreciation: Thank them for taking the time to talk to you.
Be Curious: Ask your questions, but also be open to new topics that come up during your chat.
Take Notes: Jot down interesting points or fun facts you learn. This will help you remember later!
After the Chat
Say Thank You Again: Before you leave, thank them once more for their time.
Some of this material came from a guide to community conversations and interviews that was developed by the Office of Applied Innovation team at Arizona State University.
