Why I Interviewed Face to Face Instead of Technology

I had a few people comment on my blog why I had the courage, the guts, whatever you want to call it, to interview two people face to face instead of e-mail or the phone. Truthfully, even though it isn't my strongest thing in life (yet), I like public speaking and everything it has to with it. So, I thought I take a little time out of my schedule and share why I would do this.

First and for-most, I like to talk to people face to face. While sometimes it's nice to be chatting over Facebook or instant messaging or e-mail, I'm also old school and like to talk to others personally. We live in a society where technology is running our lives and face to face communication is dying. Well, I like to keep it alive. You establish more of a connection with others if you talk face to face instead of Facebook. Remember, it is more easy to misunderstand what a person is trying to communicate over technology than it is face to face. You get a better idea with face to face communication on how that person is feeling and whether or not he/she is comfortable being around you. You wouldn't want an entire relationship built around a computer screen would you? You want to meet that person.

Each semester, I take online classes at Inver Hills. Main reason: it takes an hour and a half via Metro Transit to get there. However, I take time to go to campus and meet my instructor so he/she knows I'm more than a name on a discussion board. Makes my life easier. It is harder to meet my instructors at Anoka Ramsey Community College since it takes almost three hours to travel to the Coon Rapids campus via the bus. In this situation, even I will admit that I have more important thigs to do. By the way, the days I have class on campus, I like to either talk to the driver or pull out the laptop and watch a movie. Makes the time go by quicker.

Even though I do get a little nervous when it comes to public speaking but for whatever the reason, I like the thrill of it. It brings me out of my comfort zone a little bit more. It proves to me that I'm not as shy as I think I am. It helps build character, and self-confidence. I joined a group called Toastmasters that has helped out in a big way. It also helps knowing my group members are fellow City of St. Paul, and Ramsey County employees.

Remember how it was when you go out on your first date or falling in love for the first time and you get that nervous feeling? Butterflies in your stomach? Trust me, I've been there, many times with the first date situations. Well, in a way, so is interviewing a person. Or the person being interviewed. You don't know the person and the person doesn't know you. It's important to make that first GOOD impression. While I didn't show up in a suit and tie, I did bring my A game. Some are explained in this blog.

For me, it helps if I have a plan. Knowing what the important points are and what the important facts are. Writing my questions or speech early and then reciting them in the mirror or family and friends is a big help. A little constructive criticism isn't bad after all! It can only help you. Now, it may be tough in journalism since we have to know right away but since we are college students and have some time to do this, we are able to do this with others.

Research, research, research. Honestly, how many times have you gone to a job interview without researching the company first? You need to know a little background information about the company so you can ask questions about it during the interview. Because we (or most) are new to journalism, this is where Google can come in handy with finding questions. While it may not precisely give you the questions you want, it can at least provide a basic idea and then go off that. That's what I did and helped out quite well.

There's no question fear is there. The best thing we can do, in any situation, is don't let it get the best of you. Don't let it win. Take a couple deep breaths before going in, looking and acting your best and you'll do just fine. You'll feel like you actually accomplished something!

Remember, who, what, when, where, why and how are your friends. When you really think about it, we ask those questions in everyday conversation, no matter who it is. For example, I'm graduating from Inver Hills Community College at the end of this semester and for quite sometime, I was asking myself those questions as I plan for my new school starting in Januarary. It took me a while to figure it out but it got done using those questions.

A wise man told me many, many, many, many times to "just shut up and do it". Yes, my father is quite wise, let me tell you!!!!!

I'm sure I'm missing some important points but at least I can say, "this is a start."

As for the two people I interviewed, they seemed like nice people. They really seemed to care about their students, making sure they wre taken care of, regardless of the issue at hand. I appreciated the fact they took time out of their extreamly busy schedules to let me come in and talk to them.+

On a side note, Anoka Ramsey (Coon Rapids) has a very nice campus. And a nice student union. Inver Hills has something but not as nice as flat screen TVs and video games like Anoka Ramsey has. I put on my Facebook status as I was leaving campus last Tuesday afternoon: "Spent the morning at Anoka Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids... Better campus than Inver Hills... Should have taken more classes at ARCC...."