As part of the career research paper, you will be interviewing someone from the field in which you are interested.  You must ask a minimum of 25 questions.  Below is a list of recommended questions categorized according to your career research paper outline.  You are not, however, limited to these questions.

What is involved in the work?

• Exactly what tasks might I do on the job?
  
• What would a typical day or month be like?
  
• What is the product or service?
  
• Would I chiefly work with data, people, or things?
  
• Would I travel? Where and how often?
  
• Would I sit all day? Stand? Get outside the office?
  
• How would I be supervised?
  
• How would my tasks relate to co-workers?
  
• Is there any danger to my health or physical safety?

The place of work

• Do I have ample opportunity to relocate to any number of states if I choose?
  
• Are the jobs available in the geographic areas I prefer?
  
• If the job is available only in government agencies, am I cut out to a civil servant?
  
• If the job is available only in large corporation, am I able to function in a bureaucracy?
  
• If the job is available only in marginally profitable business, can I tolerate the instability?
  
• Are the companies where I might work respected as good corporate citizens and fair    
  employees?

Working Conditions

• What do people in the job say they like most about their job?  the least?
  

• Are the hours regular or irregular?  Long or short? 
  

• Does the work involve a part-time or flex-time schedule? 
  

• Would you work evenings, weekends, or holidays?
  

• How much vacation is typical for the industry?
  

• Is the work steady or seasonal?
  

• Would the job get harder as you get older?
  

• Is the work hazardous?
  

• Is the occupation one that would depress you or lift your spirits?

The size of an occupation

• How large is the occupation?
  
• Does it have a fast, average, or slow rate of growth?
  
• How many job openings are expected annually?
  
• Is there a high personnel turnover because the work is poorly paid or dull or unattractive in some other way?

The training to enter the field

• How much education or training is required to qualify in the job market and to meet legal
  certification or licensing requirements.
  
• How long does it take?
  
• What does it include?
  
• How much does it cost?
  
• Where can I get list of accredited schools?
  
• What kind of high school or college program is required?
  
• What subjects should or must be chosen?
  
• Is there more than on way to prepare? If so, what are the alternatives?
  
• Is it possible that instead of formal training, I could learn on the job?

Career Ladder

• What proportion of workers are promoted?
  
• What are the upward steps?
  
• How long would it normally take to receive my first promotion? My second?
  
• How high could I rise in the field?
  
• How long would it take to reach the top?
  
• Would I need an additional education?
  
• Would I need another type of work experience?
  
• What are the related occupations to which I could move?
  
• Is this a field that might permit me to start my own business?

Earnings

• What is the base annual salary for the job at entry, mid, and top-level?
  
• Are bonuses given for superior performance?
  
• Does a sales job pay salary plus commission or only commission?
  
• Does a job pay overtime?
  
• Does the occupation typically offer an expense account?
  
• What employee benefits are usual with this occupation?
  
• How much money could I reasonably expect to earn in this occupation after five years?
  
• Are raises based on merit, or on rigid pay scales determined largely by seniority?
  
• Have others in this field gone on to open their own businesses and how have they fared?
  
• Does this occupation leave time for me to moonlight and earn a second income?  Would I need a second job to pay my bills?

Future Prospects

• Do I have a reasonable chance to find a job in this field?
  

• Will I be able to work as long as my health is good?  If not, what could I do to prepare for a
  second career?
  

• Have I done enough research to know that technology isn’t likely to cut short this career?
  

• Does this field offer adequate opportunities to develop transferable skills?
  

• Am I willing to live where the best jobs in the field are located?  Where is that?
  

• Does this occupation depend on government action for its ups and downs?
  

• Is this occupation strongly affected by swings in the economy?

Writing and/or Speaking Skills

• Will I need to use writing and/or speaking skills in this career?  If yes, in what way?