Req 2b — Interview Working Adults
This requirement helps you see education as something that keeps going long after graduation. Adults in established careers often have very different paths. One may have a college degree. Another may have technical certifications, military training, apprenticeships, or years of on-the-job learning. Both can teach you something useful.
The goal is not to impress the professionals with perfect questions. The goal is to listen well and notice how learning connects to real work.
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Get Approval First
This requirement specifically says to get approval from both your counselor and your parent or guardian before you do the interviews. Do that step first. It keeps everyone informed about who you plan to contact and how the interviews will happen.
Once you have approval, look for adults with established careers outside your school. Good choices might include a nurse, mechanic, engineer, chef, firefighter, business owner, accountant, park ranger, electrician, graphic designer, police officer, scientist, or tradesperson.
What to Ask
You do not need a huge list. A short set of clear questions works best.
Questions That Fit This Requirement
Use these to guide the conversation
- Where were you educated? Ask about high school, college, trade school, certifications, military training, or apprenticeships.
- What training did you receive? Find out what was required and what happened after formal schooling.
- How did that education help prepare you? Ask for specific examples from the job.
- How do you keep learning now? Look for workshops, licenses, conferences, reading, online courses, or mentoring.
- What advice would you give a student now? This can help you connect their story to your own choices.
Pay Attention to Patterns
After two interviews, compare what you heard. You may notice patterns such as:
- almost every career requires communication skills
- learning continues after school through training and practice
- adults often use both academic knowledge and people skills
- careers can take more than one educational path
That last point matters. Scholarship is not only for students headed to one kind of future. Strong learning habits help in college, trades, business ownership, the military, public service, and creative fields.
Ask About Ongoing Education
The requirement does not stop at “How did you get started?” It also asks how these professionals continue to educate themselves. That is important because the best workers keep updating what they know.
A nurse may need continuing education credits. A mechanic may learn new vehicle systems. A business owner may study taxes, marketing, or management. A software developer may learn new tools every year. Lifelong learning is not just a nice idea. In many fields, it is necessary.
That connects naturally to Req 5a, where you write about how you will continue educating yourself in the future.
What to Discuss With Your Counselor
When you report back, be ready to explain:
- who you interviewed
- what kind of education and training each person had
- how that training helped prepare them for their work
- how they continue learning today
- what surprised you or changed how you think about education
A strong discussion goes beyond listing facts. It shows that you noticed how school, training, and lifelong learning fit together.
The next option shifts from career learning to one of the most useful school skills of all: managing your time with a planner.