• DUE 4/7 - Secure and schedule Informational Interview - (POST THE DATE, TIME, PLATFORM AND PERSON YOU WILL BE INTERVIEWING)

Project Objective: Students will put into practice the information they have learned in class about networking, present themselves in an authentic way, and reaching out to professionals in their chosen field.

GOAL #1: PROFESSIONAL CONTACTS (Done module 5 - My Three People)

GOAL #2: PRACTICE ELEVATOR PITCH (Done module 4 - Elevator Pitch)

GOAL #3: CREATE A GREAT RESUME AND COVER LETTER (Done module 5)

GOAL #4: PREPARE YOUR QUESTIONS (Done module 9)

GOAL #5: REACH OUT AND SECURE INTERVIEW (DUE 4/7)

GOAL #6: VIDEOTAPE INTERVIEW AND FOLLOW-THROUGH

Due dates for successfully completing each part of the project:

• DUE 3/31 - Send out requests for Informational Interview - DONE

• DUE 4/7 - Secure and schedule Informational Interview - (POST THE DATE, TIME, PLATFORM AND PERSON YOU WILL BE INTERVIEWING)

COMING SOON:

• DUE 4/14 - Conduct Informational Interview

• DUE 4/21 - Post Informational Interview for grade

THE INTERVIEW

Things to think about:

BEFORE:

• Have you sent the Zoom link? (Use template IN THE RESOURCE SECTION, but feel free to add your own touch)
• Have you tested the technology with a friend to make sure it works every time?
• What do you want to know from them? What questions (PLUS some form of the final that everyone will use) have you chosen and are you familiar with the questions?
• Have you practiced with someone to make sure you are only taking 15 minutes to ask questions? (If they request more time, have additional questions as backup!)
• Have you practiced your elevator speech?

DURING:

• Make sure your environment looks professional along with your appearance
• Make sure you have a quiet room to conduct the interview in
• Have a notepad to take notes
• Bring your best self to the table
• Know what is in your “toolbox”
• Remain calm and be authentic – remember it is not about you at this point, it is about learning about them!
• Be gracious and grateful

THE FOLLOW-UP - After the interview

• Send a Thank You! 
• Set a date to reconnect when appropriate

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RESOURCE SECTION:   

Interview Request Template: Feel free to make it your own!

School of Performing Arts, Department of Theatre

12400 Centaurus Blvd

Orlando, FL  32816-8009

Hello,

Hi, I am reaching out to you with a note from my professor. I hope you will read below and consider supporting me on my career journey.

Thank you,

(insert your name)

(insert your contact information)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My name is Sheri Croft and I am a professor at UCF, teaching Entertainment Careers. My students have been tasked with reaching out to industry professionals, such as yourself. The goal is for them to contact people who have forged a pathway toward their chosen career. Since you are someone who clearly has achieved success, it would be such a gift for you to support the next generation of students who want to learn from you.

If you are willing to give 15 minutes of your time for a Zoom meeting with my student, it would be greatly appreciated! This is a graded assignment, and they will need to record the video meeting. The due date is November 20th for the informational interview.

If you have any concerns or would like to discuss further, please reach out to me.

Thank you very much!

Sheri Croft

Sheri.Croft@UCF.edu

Sending Zoom Meeting Template: Feel free to make it your own!

School of Performing Arts, Department of Theatre

12400 Centaurus Blvd

Orlando, FL  32816-8009

SUBJECT: UCF Ent. Careers Class -  (your name) ON (date and time EST)

(Name of person you are meeting with),

Thank you so much for agreeing to meet with me for an informational interview. I truly appreciate the value of your time and will only take 15 minutes. Also, you should know that this is a recorded Zoom for my grade and will be posted privately on YouTube. Only my class will be able to view the interview.

Attached is my resume for your review. (attach resume)

With my background in (write your summary statement here) I think meeting with you will be a great first step on my professional journey!

Below is the link for our meeting,

https://ucf.zoom.us/.........................(your Links to an external site. Zoom account)

Passcode: (your passcode)

Meeting ID: (your meeting ID)

I look forward to finding out more about you and your business,

(your name)

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FINAL NOTE:

All final projects must include the company, name, title and level of the person you are speaking with

Best Case: Do your best to get a videotaped recorded conversation to upload

Second Choice: Record audio without video of the interaction and post along with a screenshot of a gallery view of you and the person you are interviewing

Worse Case: If you are unable to find someone who will allow you to videotape or audio tape their interview, you will provide the following:

       1) Type up a transcript of the interview to the best of your ability. This should include all questions and answers, as well as, stories and side conversations

       2) Take a screen shot of the interview in gallery view, so that I see you and the person that you are talking with

       3) Make sure that you include the company, name, title and level of the person you are speaking with in your paper