EXAMPLE

Interview Schedule

Name of participant:

Phone Number:

E-mail Address:

Date:

Introduction

á      My name is Rachel Lynn and I am a senior at Northeastern State University graduating in May of this year.

á       NSUÕs new ÒGather Here Go FarÓ campaign sparked my interested in successful NSU grads. IÕm doing this research because I want to find out how NSU has prepared its recent graduates for the real world and the best way to do this is interview recent alumni.

á      You were chosen because you graduated last year from NSU with a BachelorÕs in Business Administration and are between the ages of 22-26.

á      Your name will not be used in the study.

á      Is it OK if I start the tape recorder?

á      IÕm going to ask you several questions over the next 90 minutes and know IÕm not looking for one specific answer. I want your honest opinion on your experience at NSU. You do not have to answer any question youÕre not comfortable with.

Body

á      Tell me about why you decided to attend college at Northeastern.

Probes:

o      Where did you attend high school?

o      What, if any, scholarships did you receive?

o      What is your major?

o      How did you choose a major in the business college?

á      Tell me about your college involvement.

Probes:

o      Involved in campus organizations?

o      Involved in business college organizations?

o      Involved in community organizations?

á      How would you rate your overall college experience, excellent, above average, average, or below average?

o      What experience stood out most to help you make your rating decision?

á      Since youÕve been out of college what have you been doing?

o      If Graduate school, follow up with the next questionsÉ

¤       What is your current school?

¤       How did you choose to continue your education?

á      Did NSU affect that decision?

¤       What is your field of study?

¤       If different from your major at NSU, why did you decide to switch?

¤       Do you feel your classes at NSU prepared you for the classes you are taking now? Why or why not?

¤       When applying, did you receive any assistance from NSU Staff or faculty?

o      If job, follow up with the next questionsÉ

¤       How did you get your job? Online? Newspaper ad? Networking?

á      Did you use NSUÕs career services department? Was it useful?

á      Did NSU give you the opportunity to network in your job field?

¤       How did NSU affect your career choice?

¤       Is your job related to your field of study?

¤       Have you used any skills you learned in classes in the business college at your workplace?

¤       What classes would you call the most useful in helping you be successful in your job? Least useful?

¤       What organizations that you were involved in, did you feel most prepared you for the Òreal worldÓ?

á      Please describe the most beneficial experience. (Workshops, attending conferences, meetings, etc)

o      If neither, follow up with the next questionsÉ

¤       Is the purpose from taking time off personal or consequential?

¤       Are you currently seeking a job?

¤       What if anything would have most helped you post graduation?

á      How do you define success in the workplace?

á      Do you feel NSU did a good job of preparing you for that success? Why or why not?

o      If yes, follow up with the next questionÉ

¤       What helped you the most while in college? Classes? Organizations? Professors?

o      If no, follow up with the next questionÉ

¤       What do you think could help NSU graduates feel better prepared for the Òreal worldÓ? Classes? Organizations? Professors?

á      Is there anything you would do differently in retrospect?

á      Overall do you feel Northeastern was the right college for your career path?

á      Would you recommend NSU to a colleague in your field of work/study? A personal friend?

á      Where do you want to go from here?

Probes

¤       Do you have any professional goals?

¤       Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?

á      I have few background questions for you. Feel free to pass on any of them.

o      Your current job status?

o      Marital status?

o      Do you rent or own a home?

o      Age?

Conclusion

á      Do you have any further comments before we close?

á      Thank you very much for you time! If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me at the e-mail address I initially contacted you with. I will also give you my office phone.