1) This class has put me in several positions that I do not believe that I have ever been in before. Namely, approaching strangers to ask them questions about a product in today's extremely divisive college atmosphere. It seems that if you inhale oxygen within a five feet radius of much of today's college students, they are offended in a way that I do not understand. It seems that while I was in the Navy, the country's fracture between its citizens has propagated in a way that threatens our democracy. What does this have to do with tenaciousness? Approaching people that you can tell do not want anything to do with you is a struggle.
2) For one of the exercises, I found a classmate that was willing to be interviewed, as she is a large proponent of healthy fast food. I began my second question with "As a female college student...", which I thought was an innocuous way to begin a sentence. I was then berated for the next five minutes about my role as a misogynist and how I was making the world a less friendly place. What makes it worse is that I crafted the question (had I been allowed to finish) the way I did because I believe it was the best way to get the most useful information from a potential customer. I cannot imagine how those words can cause someone to behave like this person did. I can say that this did cause me to give up for the particular assignment. This class has made me realize how little I enjoy being a college student and how much I cannot wait to graduate!
3) Firstly, I would recommend thick skin. I have spent a lot of time in the military taking abuse from a lot of people, but nothing like this.
I would also recommend approaching people with a huge smile on your face. That seems to be the biggest factor in my success in getting people to agree to the interviews.
Lastly, I would suggest anything that is useful to you for overcoming social anxiety. Never in my life have I found myself nervous to talk to someone, but at this point I do not know what is ok to say and what is not. Hopefully those in future classes have an easier time with needlessly rude people than I do.
2) For one of the exercises, I found a classmate that was willing to be interviewed, as she is a large proponent of healthy fast food. I began my second question with "As a female college student...", which I thought was an innocuous way to begin a sentence. I was then berated for the next five minutes about my role as a misogynist and how I was making the world a less friendly place. What makes it worse is that I crafted the question (had I been allowed to finish) the way I did because I believe it was the best way to get the most useful information from a potential customer. I cannot imagine how those words can cause someone to behave like this person did. I can say that this did cause me to give up for the particular assignment. This class has made me realize how little I enjoy being a college student and how much I cannot wait to graduate!
3) Firstly, I would recommend thick skin. I have spent a lot of time in the military taking abuse from a lot of people, but nothing like this.
I would also recommend approaching people with a huge smile on your face. That seems to be the biggest factor in my success in getting people to agree to the interviews.
Lastly, I would suggest anything that is useful to you for overcoming social anxiety. Never in my life have I found myself nervous to talk to someone, but at this point I do not know what is ok to say and what is not. Hopefully those in future classes have an easier time with needlessly rude people than I do.
First off, I would like to say GO NAVY! I served four years in the Navy, so I know conditions you served under. I think you have provided some great insight for future students in having to have thick skin for when conducting interviews and making the best out of the situation. Hopefully, you have greater success with future interviews!!
ReplyDeleteHey John,
ReplyDeleteI too have struggled with the interview portions for the various assignments. It definitely takes a lot of practice to get good at not only approaching strangers to interview them but also phrasing things in a non-offensive manor that won’t cause bias. Approaching people with a smile definitely helps! Great feedback and good luck on future assignments and interviews!