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.:Resource Guides:Interviews-Howie Schaffer.
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Interviews
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Advice
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What books, magazines, periodicals, websites or other materials should people read to learn more about this field? |
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You should sign up for the PEN Weekly NewsBlast by visiting www.publiceducation.org. It is free and every week tells you what is going on in public education and community organizing. I also encourage
folks to read the New Yorker every week.
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What questions would you ask of someone who wants to do this work? |
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My questions would not focus on skills or experience, but on trying to identify a person's motivation, drive, courage, and passion. Those are hard to teach. Skills are easy to teach.
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In what kinds of jobs can recent college graduates have the most impact in your field? |
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Jobs that force students to show that they can manage multiple tasks and responsibilities are good jobs. Jobs where you have to write for real people and not professors are also good.
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What are the major trends and/or key issues in your field? |
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School funding, educational leadership, school privatization, school construction, community mobilizing, online advocacy, and standardized testing.
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What forms of support and/or advice have you found most valuable (mentoring, trainings, professional development, attending conferences, etc.)? |
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I find that I most enjoy going to events and conferences that boost my revolutionary and entrepreneurial spirit. I went to a great conference that was convened by Fast Company magazine. It was all about working hard versus
working smart. I loved it.
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What is a common or tough interview question a candidate in your field should be prepared to answer? |
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I hesitate to answer this question because there are rarely right or wrong questions in an interview. I just suggest that folks in an interview answer questions with a story. If someone asks, "Have you managed a budget?" don't say
yes. Say, "When I was treasurer of Student Services I not only managed a budget but also had to produce expense reports and had to account for cash from four different box offices around campus. That was really hard work, and it was important that it be done
right the first time. People trusted me."
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What other advice would you give people who want to do this work? |
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Don't compromise for a paycheck in the first ten years of your career. There is plenty of time for that later.
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next page | The Big Picture
1, 2, 3, 4 |
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Career Center Resource Guides
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