Lucy Said:

Need to interview someone who is 40+. Please help.?

We Answered:

Educational Background

Q: Did you have the opportunity to go to school/university? Did you ever study abroad?

Yes to all the above.

Q: Do you think people are more likely to pursue post-secondary education today as compared to when you attended school? Why or why not?

The fact that there "are" more people today indicates that "more" people are attending today than when I was attending. Yes.

Q: What was the ratio of male to female students? Were there reasons for this?

I have no idea.

Q: What extra-curricular activities were offered in your school? What was your involvement?

Most everything that you have today with exception to computers, we didn't have computers. I had to take care of my bros and sisters so extra-curricular was at home.

Q: How did your social surroundings (friends, family, ect.) influence your educational choices? Where there specific pressures on you?

My own desire and advocation for education made the difference, not other's influence.

Employment History

Q: Did you work? In what field, where, for how long, and how old were you when you started?

Did I work while attending school, the answer is yes, full time in the military. I started at 18.

Q: What kinds of jobs were available to you? Describe working hours, conditions, benefits, such as health plans.

Military, period. I didn't look at other choices due to what I knew I didn't want in my little factory town. Benefits and health plans were all lies, promised free for life. Free ended once I retired and found that retirees are secondary citizens.

Q: Did you change jobs/careers throughout your life? Describe and give details.

Somewhat, but still working "with" military people, just not wearing the uniform.

Q: What education and training were required for your career? How does this compare to today?

None actually, just training offered by the military. I chose to get the education. It still applies but if you want to "get ahead", get the education.

Volunteer History

Q: Have you volunteered? If yes, how long, did you enjoy it, and what did you learn? If no, why not? Do you have any regrets?

I have volunteered with orphans, elderly, etc., but on a limited basis. I learned people will normally be appreciative if you treat them with honor and respect.

Q: Did many people volunteer? Was in mandatory? What was the attitude towards it? Has it changed?

Several people did volunteer with me and no it was not mandatory accept for the military. Attitudes were good and no change that I saw.

Q: What do you think of the present requirement of 40 hours of volunteer service to graduate from high school? Why do you think the school board made it mandatory?

I didn't know that was a true statement, certainly don't think it is Nationwide, but if it is, that is fine. Forty hours is not all that much. I never did like the word MANDATORY.

Q: What process did you have to go through to volunteer? Did you require a resume, application, or references?

Just do it. Sometimes I had to contact a "coordinator" to sign up.

Q: Do you think volunteering should be prohibited in some fields (eg, hospitals) why or why not?

NO WAY. There are volunteers now in hospitals, they are called Candy Stripers.

Changes observed in society

Q: Have you observed changes in the relationship between wages and cost of living/goods and services? Explain.

Yeah, things are getting outrageously out of hand. Make more, spend more. Don't make more, don't have.

Q: How has the participation of more women in the work force affected family life? Describe, outline advantages and disadvantages.

Been that way ever since I can remember, since my Mom worked and my Step-Father was a BUM.

Q: Are the differences between how teenagers acted when you were growing up distinctly different from how they act now? Explain.

HUGE. Smart alecs is what I see today. No respect for authority, age, etc. You had some like that in my day, but they didn't last long. Jail or dead.

Q: How has technology affected life? How has it affected communication, shopping, and language?

HUGE. Just look around, you see it everywhere. I see elementary kids carrying a cell phone, sometimes two, like a drug dealer or something. Simply amazing. Last year I shopped on line for every Christmas present. Language, no comment.

Changes observed in occupations/jobs

Q: What changes have you observed in occupation and jobs? Are there any jobs that no longer exist in your field?

In my line, not much, other than some people who don't know anything but politicked to get what they want are still getting ahead of hard working people. I don't condone it, but I at least know why people sometimes go "postal".

Q: By what age did you have to decide your career path? Was it popular for people to change their occupations/jobs? Describe changes in attitude toward career changes.

I was a sophomore in high school when I decided to join the military and started plans then. Not all that popular to change careers back then. Now it is more acceptable, with little thought about it really.

Q: Which jobs were most in demand at your time? Explain.

Military, factory, farming, at least in my area.

Q: Were women and men treated equally in the workforce? Were all races treated equally in the workforce? Compare factors such as salary, job expectations, type of work, ect.

No, never have been, but that is changing in many places now. I have had several women bosses. I won't comment on what I think about it.

Q: In what ways has technology changed the way people do business? What changes do you think might occur in the future?

Hmmm, sort of asked and answered, but technology has taken routine jobs away from people who otherwise aren't skilled to do anything else. I see that trend continuing. I can see my skills being compared to a dinosaur one day.

Advice

What advice would you give me regarding Education?

Don't pass up an opportunity to learn, at it doesn't have to be at a $50,000 a year school, although it is getting harder to find a cheap school.

What advice would you give me regarding Career?

Do something you are interested in, not what someone else thinks is good for you.

What decisions did you make at my age to make you successful in your career?

Went to school, got an education.

What advice would you give society as a whole?

Go to school, make a difference.

What advice would you give me in general?

See all my comments above.

Thomas Said:

Interviewing someone in an older generation. 40+ preferred. Please help. ?

We Answered:

I am 39, I know that lands slightly below what you want, but if you can use it, here are my answers.


Q: Did you have the opportunity to go to school/university? Did you ever study abroad?

I went to college, but never studied abroad.

Q: Do you think people are more likely to pursue post-secondary education today as compared to when you attended school? Why or why not?

Yes, because in today's society, it's very difficult to get a good paying job to secure your future without the degree.

Q: What was the ratio of male to female students? Were there reasons for this?

Seemed pretty even to me. Really.

Q: What extra-curricular activities were offered in your school? What was your involvement?

Lots of things, but I didn't have the time to do most of them, I was working.

Q: How did your social surroundings (friends, family, ect.) influence your educational choices? Where there specific pressures on you?

My family was especially supportive and I had a best friend with me in college. The two of us regularly got together and took care of business, studying, etc. The support made a huge difference as I didn't feel alone.

Employment History

Q: Did you work? In what field, where, for how long, and how old were you when you started?

I actually began working at 14, helping a company my mother worked for with sorting signs and products. At 15, I began working at McDonald's and I think it was an excellent experience as this is where I learned to deal with all types of people. (worked with a lot of nationalities, and it was educational and fun) After that, a few odd jobs, then onto a career in Retail Management, where I was for ten years. I traveled throughout the U.S. hiring, terminating, and opening new locations. I then made a complete career shift. See below.


Q: What kinds of jobs were available to you? Describe working hours, conditions, benefits, such as health plans.

In retail, lots of jobs. However, the atmosphere is not something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Though I was being paid very well, I hated the hours. Some days were as long as 14 hours. We had mediocre health insurance, and the main benefit was free products.

Q: Did you change jobs/careers throughout your life? Describe and give details.

After my retail stint, needed a complete change. I started doing office work and worked in several different industries until I figured out where I wanted to be. I then moved on to working for Wal-Mart home office in the Buying Division/International where I developed even a bigger taste for marketing/advertising etc. I moved and became an in-store rep for a software company. Because of my background with WM, it was fairly easy for me. I then moved on to a marketing job with a large manufacturer where I was responsible for supporting the sales team with market research and development. Loved it. My last job was the one that made the decision for me though. I was in the marketing dept. of a company, and me and my boss were the only people in the department. For this reason, the responsibilites were huge. This is where I learned that I want to be a graphic designer after having to do that type of work all day long.

Q: What education and training were required for your career? How does this compare to today?
Minimum Associates Degree, you can't get far without SOME college anymore.

Volunteer History

Q: Have you volunteered? If yes, how long, did you enjoy it, and what did you learn? If no, why not? Do you have any regrets?

Yes, the literacy council. I loved it, because meeting these people, you would never in a million years believe they couldn't read. They had hopes and dreams but were held back by a system that failed them sending them to graduation with no education. I also volunteer at many Hospice events.

Q: Did many people volunteer? Was in mandatory? What was the attitude towards it? Has it changed?

The literacy council was not mandatory. The Hospice often was. They usually didn't have to force it too often though as people willingly do it.

Q: What do you think of the present requirement of 40 hours of volunteer service to graduate from high school? Why do you think the school board made it mandatory?

Wow. Didn't know about that. However, I think it's a great idea. It gives kids a sense of what else is out there which in turn opens up opportunities. Furthermore, unless you do it, you have no idea how rewarding it can be.

Q: What process did you have to go through to volunteer? Did you require a resume, application, or references?

Application for the literacy council with references, worked for the Hospice, so just the norm.

Q: Do you think volunteering should be prohibited in some fields (eg, hospitals) why or why not?

No, just watched closely to ensure proper procedure.

Changes observed in society

Q: Have you observed changes in the relationship between wages and cost of living/goods and services? Explain.

Ye