Blog 21 - Interview 4 Reflection

1. What is the most important thing I learned from the interview?  
The most important thing that I learned from my interview is that I really shouldn't be scared about the final senior lesson. Instead I should focus on how to make it better. Of course this was after I conducted the required questions/2.  How will what I learned affect my final lesson?
It'll affect me by giving me reassurance and confidence.Instead of being timid and afraid, I learned that I should just do my best because I'm only going to be up there for an hour and a half. It's just like any other presentation. 

Blog 17 - Interview 3 Reflection

Interview Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5GnVtEgOt4xa28tOFRpZTdzTnM/view?usp=sharing

1. What is the most important thing I learned from the interview?  
The most important thing I learned in my interview was some of the concepts I need to study to further my research. This mostly includes star formations and light.  I also learned that I need to create questions for myself  throughout my research to  further it even more. 2.  How has your approach to interviewing changed over the course of your senior project?
I think my approach to interviewing someone changed by how I confront them when I first meet them in person. I used to be a bit nervous or intimidated but, I learned that the people who I am interviewing just want to help. Knowing that it made it easier for me to have a better conversation with them and make each other feel comfortable. 

Blog 10 - Interview 2 Reflection

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7vfamCjNJQ6Nk1BVV91bmdYVjQ/view?usp=sharing

1. Please explain how you are spending your mentorship time (Is it at a workplace or somewhere else?  Are you shadowing?  Are you able to do tasks that are meaningfully related to the topic?  If so, what?  Are there other people who are experts in the location?  Etc...)

The way I am spending mentorship time is by shadowing the classes he teaches at Mt. Sac. Usually I just sit in the classroom and observe what he is doing as well as take notes in his class. By doing so, it definitely helps me learn new things about astronomy as well as understand what I’m learning.

2.  How did you find your mentor?  How did you convince this person to help you?  

I found my mentor by research what astronomy professors are close by, and emailing a letter asking to do so. It didn’t really take much to convince my mentor to say yes, all I did was ask.  

3. How would you rate your comfort level with your mentor at this point in your relationship?  How does this relate to the time you've spent so far at mentorship/with this person

Right now, I’m pretty comfortable around my mentor. I don’t get nervous at all when I ask him for help, or for questions, etc. It kind of relates to the time I spend with my mentor, but usually I just shadow his class and go on the class field trips.

4. What went well in this interview?  Why do you think so?  What do you still need to improve?  How do you know?  How will you go about it?

What went well was the fact that my mentor was able to give clear and on - topic answers to my questions. He didn’t waste any time trying to comprehend what I was asking, which was a great time saver. I’m not sure about what i need to improve on; if it’s about the interview I think I just need to write more questions to get the most out of my interview.

Blog 5 - Interview 1 Reflection

Who: Michael Hood

Date of Interview: 9/14/15

City/State: Walnut, California

Employer: Astronomer Mt. San Antonio College

1. What is the most important thing I learned from the interview?  Is there anything I would do differently for other interviews?

The most important thing I learned in the interview is learning how he got his master’s degree in a year and a half after undergrad school. On top of that, the advice he gave on entering the field was very useful.

2. Did I get additional resources and contacts?  What is the most useful?  Why?

I was able to get additional contacts from him. The contacts he has given to me can help me get some more hands-on training with the telescope, as well as potential interviewees. I didn’t get that much resources from him because science astronomy is such a broad topic, it is hard to find a book that talks about everything in astronomy. But, if I do find a focus in astronomy, he will  be glad to help me look for some useful resources.

3. What makes my interviewee qualified to help me?

The reason why he is qualified to help me is because he is an experienced astronomer who worked in the astronomy field for years. He has done research and projects plus he teaches astronomy to people everyday at Mt. Sac, Since he has a lot of experience, he was able to help me understand astronomy as a whole, as well as help me understand some of the steps to get ahead astronomy/physics.

Link to the audio interview

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7vfamCjNJQ6R2t3cDhJTW5JX1U/view?usp=sharing

Blog 3 - First Interview Questions

1.  Who do you plan to interview?  Why?

I plan to interview my mentor, Michael Hood, because he is the person I am the most comfortable asking right now to interview. Another reason why I want to interview him is because this will give me a chance to get to know my mentor a bit better

2.  Five questions will be assigned to all seniors to ask.  What additional questions do you plan to ask?  Ask open-ended questions.  

1. What inspired you to study astronomy?
2. Why do you think astronomy is important in our society?
3. What do you hope to achieve through your profession?