PLEASE NOTE: There are TWO sets of directions for this paper—one for Social Work

PLEASE NOTE: There are TWO sets of directions for this paper—one for Social Work majors, one for all other majors
Format should be APA.
Social Work Majors:
You should meet virtually (via telephone or zoom/Microsoft teams, etc.) with a LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER (in Alabama, these are the LBSW, LMSW, or LICSW).
Every student should interview a DIFFERENT social worker (it is YOUR responsibility to make sure no one else is interviewing him/her). DO NOT interview a member of the Troy faculty.
There are numerous agencies in the Troy area that employ social workers, but you are welcome to interview someone in another city or state.
You are responsible for calling the agency and setting up the interview. Please DO NOT ask Ms. Harrell for a list of people or agencies to interview.
*Here are a few suggestions: Alabama Dept. of Human Resources (DHR)—these are in every Alabama county; Alabama Dept. of Public Health (ADPH)—these are also in every Alabama county; Area Agencies on Aging (SARCOA, MACOA, etc.); mental health agencies; hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, and home health agencies; United Methodist Children’s Homes; Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes; private adoption agencies; Children’s Aid Society (Birmingham); V.A. hospitals and clinics*
The following are some things that you will want to find out during your interview:
What is your job title and with whom are you employed? (Be specific!)
How long have you been working with this agency? In this field?
Is the agency public or private? Non-profit or for-profit?
What population do you serve?
What are the primary tasks as a social worker with this agency?
Do you make home visits? If so, do you feel safe in making these visits?
How many social workers are there in your office?
Is your supervisor/boss also a social worker?
What is your caseload? Do you feel that it is manageable?
Would you call your job “stressful”? If so, how do you manage your stress? If not, what makes it “not stressful”?
How do you get your referrals?
How long do you generally work with a client?
Do you feel valued in your job (by clients, coworkers, supervisors, etc.)?
Tell me of a positive client interaction; tell me of an interaction that was NOT so positive.
Ask any other questions that you want to know.
BE SURE TO THANK THE SOCIAL WORKER FOR THEIR TIME! Following up with a hand-written thank you note would really show your appreciation (and maybe they’ll remember you if you are job-seeking or internship-seeking in the future).

Non-Social Work Majors:
You should meet virtually (via telephone or zoom/Microsoft teams/etc.) with a professional who works in a field you are interested in pursuing (or in which you are currently majoring).
This person should be college-educated (ideally, someone who has received a degree in the program in which you are enrolled and/or interested).
Please make sure NO ONE ELSE has interviewed this person this semester.
The following are some things that you will want to find out during your interview:
What is your job title and with whom are you employed? (Be specific!)
How long have you been working with this agency? In this field?
Is the agency public or private? Non-profit or for-profit?
What is the primary goal of your agency?
What are the particular tasks of your position?
How many professionals like you (with similar/same degrees and/or tasks) are there in your office?
Is your supervisor/boss in your degree field?
Would you call your job “stressful”? If so, how do you manage your stress? If not, what makes it “not stressful”?
Do you feel valued in your job (by clients, coworkers, supervisors, etc.)?
Tell me of a positive professional interaction; tell me of an interaction that was NOT so positive. What lessons did you learn from these interactions?
Ask any other questions that you want to know.
Adheres to APA format; entire paper is double spaced with 1 in margins; 12 pt. font, Times New Roman; Correct running head (header) with page number; Title, name, school name centered and double spaced (please also include course number and title, date and instructor’s name)
Well-organized and followed directions; included a heading for each question; Written in no more than 3-5 pages total; Written in narrative form; includes contact information of professional interviewed; included copy of thank you/follow-up email to the professional interviewed.
Includes introduction; includes at least ten of the questions provided by instructor; includes conclusion consisting of student reflection/”take-away” from the interview.