Interview Introduction and Schedule

Austin Huyboom
Interview Plan
Communication 1010-042
3/20/2017

Background Information

My Interviewee:

I'm planning to interview Dan Jorgensen. He works at Xima Software in South Jordan as a Quality
Assurance Manager. Xima Software is a company that creates software for telecommunications. I will interview Dan
in his office because he said that would be where he can show me his actual work and what the environment is like.
This will also make the interview more interesting for me because I will actually be in the workplace, being
explained aspects of it. I chose to interview Dan because he works at Xima Software which is a place I have passed
by quite a bit so it has sparked interest and curiosity about what they do there. I called and requested if I could
interview an employee and they set me up with Dan who was a manager over a team. I am glad to be able to
interview him because he seemed extremely friendly and enthusiastic about holding an interview and he is also a
manager which means he will have more stories and experiences to tell me about.

Career Research:

I have been taking classes in Computer Science and Information Systems (CSIS) and am currently taking
fundamentals of programming where I learning Java, along with being enrolled in an HTML class which is a markup
language. I also have a basic foundation of other object orientated programming languages due to learning and
understanding conceptual aspects of programming which I can apply to other languages. Programming is extremely
important, whether it is for our technology to function, provide entertainment, and even to save lives. I plan to go
through the ranks and experience many different types of jobs but my end goal is to be a Software Developer or a
Software Engineer.
Programming is in my interest and there are many different fields which I can go into for programming, with
an even broader range of choices in the computer science field. I know that their duties include a range of activities
(which also depend on the job title, position and company.) So I want to learn more about QA because that is likely
where I will start. I also am curious if the jobs are always 9 to 5 shifts, or the hours tend to accumulate every time
there is a project, along with what the workload is like.
I learned from Professor Koziateks class that there are plenty of jobs starting with an Associate's degree
and many people are ready to hire you, even if you dont have that completed, but he urged the class not to settle
for 15 dollars an hour, and to go for a full Bachelors degree. This also correlates from what I have learned and I
intend to get my Associates completed here at SLCC and to transfer to the University of Utah to complete my
Bachelors. Many programmers actually stop at their Associates or get a certificate program and if you complete a
Bachelors it will put you ahead of the game in the field and make you desirable to employers.
In the programming field, the lowest pay ranges from 30k a year, (15/hour) which is the typical pay with less
than or equal to an Associate's and according to a handful of customers I have talked to at my work (Rocky
Mountain Monument) Software Developers make between 100k to 200k a year and they suggest that the pay
ranges from 60k a year to 200k and beyond. This also correlates with indeed.com with job listings ranging from
about 80k to 120k annually after a Bachelor's. This is a very tricky, if not difficult field to pursue and I am aware that
education is crucial to being successful, along with job experience and a lifelong attitude of learning.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics from the United States Department of Labor, software
developers median pay is 100k/year and the average growth rate for the job is 17% which is growing at a much
higher rate than the national average being 7%.

Interview Schedule

Opening:

Hi Dan! Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share this interview with me.
As mentioned over the phone, this meeting has been created so I can interview you on your career and to gain
insight on what your job is like. It is an assignment from my communication class which we interview someone
about a field we are interested in and your field is what sparks my interest. I will be asking you about how you built
up to the position you got to, and the steps I should follow to get started, whether it is the education I will need or
the job experience I need. This also includes anything I should avoid doing or anything to watch out for.
I will be writing notes so I can remember key points on this interview. No need to worry about pausing while
I write. This interview is intended to be less than half an hour. Ready to get started?

Body:
Topic 1: Job description.
1. What is your job (Primary closed)
2. How long have you worked there? (Primary, closed)

Topic 2: Getting Started in the Programming Field.

First, Id like to find out how you got started in this field.
1. Why did you choose a career in the programming field? (Primary, Open)
-Why would you say that you made a good choice? (Secondary, Open)
-Do you hold any regrets choosing this field? (Secondary, Open)
2. What did you do to get started as a programmer? (Primary, Open)
-Would you start in this way if you could do it over again? (Secondary, Closed)
3. What educational path would you recommend if I want to enter the programming field? (Primary, Open)
-How much time did it take to get the training you needed? (Secondary, Closed)
-How much did it cost? (Secondary, Closed)
4. What other elements are required beyond schooling to become successful in the field? (Primary, Open)
-What other fields could you transition into without additional schooling? (Secondary, Closed)
5. What types of knowledge or skills would I need to gain before I become a programmer? (Primary, Open)
-- What resources have you used to develop these skills? (Secondary, Open)
6. With your educational experience, how prepared did you feel, initially starting as a programmer? (Primary, Open)
-Have you progressively become a better programmer? (Secondary, Closed -- but could become Open)
- What elements have contributed most to your success? (Secondary, Closed)

Topic 3: A Typical Day

Now that I know how you got started, Id like to hear what your current job is like.
1. Can you tell me about how a typical day plays out in your workplace? (Primary, Open)
 -What tasks are the most difficult? (Secondary, Closed)
-Which are the most simple? (Secondary, Closed)
2. What do you like most about your job? (Primary, Open)
-What would you say you like least about your job? (Secondary, Open)
3. Can you tell me about your schedule? (Primary, Open)
-How accommodating is your schedule to your personal life? (Secondary, Open)
-Are you allowed to take vacation time or days off when you choose? (Secondary,

Topic 4: Continuing Education/Job Experience.

My next questions are about continuing education.
1. Is continuing education required or recommended? (Primary, Closed)
--Tell me about the education are you currently involved in, if any? (Secondary, Open)
--What education would you recommend beyond what's required? (Secondary, Closed)
2. What role does new programs and technology play in keeping you updated in this fast-paced emerging field of
computer science? (Primary, Open)
3. Are there any strategies you use to help you make better decisions? (Primary, Bipolar -- but it might turn into an
open question)

Clearinghouse question: The interviewee's turn

1. Are there subjects we havent discussed that you think I need to be aware of? (Primary, Open)
2. Can you think of anyone else I could interview to get more information about the field before I emerge into the
programming field? (Primary, Bipolar)

Closing
Those were the extent of my questions and this concludes the interview. Thank you very much for taking
time to talk to me. I really have learned quite a bit, and you have been very thorough in your answers.
It was interesting learning about the process that programmers go through and I am happy that such
delicate works are quality tested so that the consumer doesnt have to worry. This field will likely be several years of
my work life which you have given great insight upon, and you have also helped me complete my Communication
assignment.
Lastly I have this interview evaluation questionnaire. Please be honest and dont feel rude giving harsh
criticism because your evaluation, whether good or bad, won't affect my grade and it will help me learn what I could
improve socially. I won't get a grade until my professor receives it. So if you don't mind, could you fill it out and I
can stop by later today or on a day of your choice. We could also mail it or you can scan it to me if that would be
most convenient.
Thank you so much! This has given me really fascinating insight and it was a pleasure to meet you.
(Handshake) Goodbye and thanks again!

CITATION

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Software
Developers,
on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm (visited
April 01, 2017).