Career Interview/Job Shadow Reflection

1. Who did you interview/job shadow? What is their name, career title, and contact
information? How do you know this person?
I completed an interview with Dave Gordon. Dave Gordon is a Principal who works at an
elementary school. I know this person because I saw his contact info on the school’s
website.
2. What does a typical day look like in this career?
A typical day in a career as a music teacher includes waking up to get to the school early,
setting up the lesson for the day, and teaching all the classes. A professional in this
career is responsible for their students. This includes their overall wellbeing and safety.
In addition, they are responsible for making sure the kids have fun. This includes keeping
all the kids engaged and making the lessons fun. Finally, a professional in this career is
responsible for their students' progress. This includes making sure the kids are learning
what you're teaching.
3. What skills and abilities do you need to succeed in this career?
According to Dave Gordon, an important skill needed to succeed in this career is
patience. This is important because working with kids can be stressful. In addition, an
important ability needed to succeed in this career is to be engaged with your students.
This is important because in order to succeed you need to be engaged with your
students.
4. What are some facts you learned about this career that you were unaware of prior to
this experience?
One fact that I learned about this career that I was unaware of prior to this experience
was music teachers are very busy. This was interesting because I didn't think music
teachers would be too busy. Another fact that I learned about this career as a result of
this experience was music teachers can get pretty good pay raises. This information was
helpful because I didn't think elementary school music teachers made a lot.
5. Which aspects of this career are appealing to you? Explain.
One aspect of this career that is appealing to me is getting to work with instruments.
This is appealing to me because I like to play instruments. Another aspect of this career
that is appealing to me is working with kids. This is appealing to me because I like
working with kids.
6. Which aspects of this career are not appealing to you? Explain.
One aspect of this career that is not appealing to me is long work days. This is not
appealing to me because it sounds tiring. Another aspect of this career that is not
 appealing to me is being very busy. This is not appealing to me because I don't like to be
busy.
7. How does this career compare to your strengths, interests, and values? Is it a good fit for
you? Explain.
This career is a good fit for me based on my strengths, interests and values. For example,
one of my strengths is being cooperative and you need to be cooperative to work with
kids.
8. What would you need to do to prepare for a job in this field?
In order to prepare for a job in this field, I would need to have a music degree and
complete a state-approved teacher preparation program.
9. How has this experience influenced your career goals?
This experience has influenced my career goals by only making me want to be a music
teacher even more.