The purpose of the 3.2.1 Project is to give you the chance to network with professionals working in your field and to find out about what factors contribute to truly feeling happy at work. This is really a "job satisfaction essay" that asks you to think about what you are looking for in a career, and expects you to talk to people you know, and should get to know, about what makes a career choice a good fit.
3.2.1 Project - Job Satisfaction Research Report Project Requirements
- Essay format: report on the information you learn in your interviews (described below) and add a reflection section at the end that puts that information into context. Explain what you learn from the interviews you conduct for this report that you find most valuable and interesting. Discuss what you think will make you happiest in your career (besides making money).
- Works/Interviews Cited page required - MLA format.
- Format - Report/Essay format, with headings. Approximately 4 pages, double-spaced.
- Interview requirements:
- Interview 3 people, either coworkers or peoplewho work on campus, about their jobs. Choose people who take their work seriously and who you respect.
- Interview 2 family membersabout their jobs/careers.
- Interview 1 person working in the fieldyou are interested in about their job
- What to know or ask - Start by focusing on what their job title is. Where do they work and what do they do? Besides getting paid, what do they like most, and least, about their jobs or career? If they are working in your field, what advice could they offer you? These are informational interviews. You can choose from some of the questions below, or come up with some of your own. Try to do your interviews in person if you can, or at least talk to them. Email interviews are appropriate only if the person you want to interview is out of town.
1) What is your job?
2) How long have you worked there?
3) What do you like best about your job, besides money?
4) Why did you want to be what you are? Did you know what you wanted to be?
5) How many hours a week do you spend working? Are you reachable 24/7?
6) Are you happy with your work/life balance? Does your employer support that?
7) How does your job affect your everyday life? How does work spill over into your private life?
8) Besides your salary, would you change anything about your job?
9) Do you have opportunities to grow and advance?
10) Was the degree you earned necessary or helpful to your career?
11) Does your job create a lot of stress, and how do you deal with that stress?
12) Does your employer help you deal with your stress?
13) Does your job provide you with a sense of fulfillment?
14) How much do you interact with people on the job, and how important are people skills?
15) What suggestions would you give to someone like me who is just starting out?
General Outline for Paper:
- Introduction - About 1 page long. Discuss your career goals and interests. Why are you pursuing the path you are pursuing? Who or what has influenced you?
- Body paragraphs - About 3 pages.Divide your paper into themes based on what you are learning from your interviews. Themes should center on the things people say give them a high level of job satisfaction, and might include things like "helping others," "working as part of a team," "being recognized for my work," or "having room to advance regularly." Use a heading for each theme, and within each section, use quotes or paraphrases from your interviews that support the main points.
- Conclusion - Now that you have interviewed all these people, what can you say about what you think will bring you true satisfaction in your career? What things will matter most to you?
- Works Cited - Cite all your sources, including your interviews and any outside sources you might have added. Use MLA style. Interviews get cited like this: Staley, Lynn. Personal Interview. 29 April 2016. Make sure you alphabetize your Works Cited page, and label it correctly.