Informational Interview

Shalynn Allsup

Informational Interview

March 1st, 2012

1.Title:
D Stewart

2.Occupation:
Voice and Piano Instructor

3. Where do you work?
At home

4. How long have you been teaching music?
over 20 years

5. Where did you go to college?
Utah State University. I graduated in Secondary Education with a minor in Vocal Pedagogy. I am currently working on my Master’s Degree at BYU in Performing Arts.

6. What does it take to become a music teacher?

After receiving my bachelors I decided to not pursue a career because I was a new mom. When my children started school I began teaching friends and family to begin my networking. Then my students came by word of mouth. I have to have my own instruments and other special equipment to properly teach my students according to all levels. I feel it to be a requirement to be proficient on the piano or guitar in order to teach private voice lessons. Above all, a passion for music is just as important as a skill. Every musician should develop a relationship with every piece they perform; both as an instructor as well as the student.

7. What would you consider to be the greatest reward in your profession?

I love that even when I am not “on the clock” I still find myself working on my music, whether it’s writing my own music or performing at weddings, conventions, and other special events which I also do professionally. It’s a part of me everywhere. I control my own pace, hours and students. I don’t have a classroom of students to distract me; so I can provide personal attention in a one on one setting.

8. What is the greatest struggle in your profession? What would you do differently?

I would have started earlier! My greatest struggle is that I am constantly trying to catch myself up in perfecting my own skills as a musician. The greatest teacher is one who is always learning. So my time gets sucked up with lessons that often times I feel my personal growth takes a backseat.

Reflection: I prepared for this interview by calling Diane and scheduling a lunch date. We met at Kneaders in Logan, UT. Before the interview I researched Diane online. I found some of her music she had published as well as some single recordings on iTunes. I discovered her specialty vocal style is Gospel and Folk. She is a Soprano herself, but trains students with all range levels, boys and girls alike.

What I learned from the interview was that Diane has complete control over her career. How much she works, when and where she works all while doing what she loves. She creates unique relationships with her students that I admire and hope to emulate. Diane also has her own recording equipment so that the students can listen to their entire lesson and practice accordingly at home. I believe that is incredibly effective, however, incredibly expensive! The more I learned about Diane’s profession, the more I realized the financial expense in affording the equipment she uses if far beyond what was used during my private voice lessons.

Diane is a friend of mine and we actually have performed together, an experience in which I value. She has a passion for music and lets herself be driven by that love. Though she works from home, she is very professional and reputable. I will continue my friendship with her as well as my professional networking connection for as long as she is breathing!

Personality/ Interest Assessment

MBTI Report

1. List your reported type. (Example: ESTJ)

ENFJ

2. According to your report, what are some of the characteristics that best describe your personality type?

Supportive, warm, loyal, devoted, trustworthy, energetic and tendancies to organize interactions.

3. Refer to the list of the 50 most popular occupations page or go to http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bestjobs/2010/ Read the list of occupations and list the ones that you would like to explore below.

Management Consultant, Sales Director, Occupational Therapist, Business Development Analyst

4. How do you believe the occupations you have chosen to explore fit with your personality preferences? Explain how these occupations allow you to work in your preferred work environment.

I value criticism, however, I tend to approach and acknowledge the positive qualities in a person before I begin criticizing. Criticism is an opportunity for me to encourage a staff, company or individual instead of hurting feelings and disciplining. I love to motivate and support efforts that have sincere potential and are striving for a good cause.

SII Report

1. List your general occupational theme code. (Example EAS)

ESC

2. List your 5 Basic Interests Scales and determine what type of interest they represent from the following: vocational, educational, leisure activities, personal interest. (Examples might include: religion-personal interest, teaching-leisure, healthcare-vocational)

Marketing/Advertising- vocational

Religion/Spirituality-personal interest

Sales-vocational

Human Resources/Training-vocational

Entrepreneurship-leisure

3. Refer to pages 5, 6, and 7 of your SII profile. Look at all the occupational scales you scored highest in (generally 40 or above), or that have a combination of your theme code. List the occupations from the scales that you might like to research.

Retail Sales Manager, Buyer, Operations Manager, Farmer/Rancher, Administrative Assistant,

Advertising Account Manager

4. For the following questions refer to Personal Style Scales on page 8 of your SII profile.

A. Look at your “Work Style” rating. What does your score suggest to you in relation to the occupations you listed above?

Score: 68, All of the occupations require an individual who is outgoing and energetic. I am a passionate person. When I am given as assignment I would rather “over do it” than just “do it.” I enjoy working with people and developing strategies to improve.

B. Look at your “Learning Environment” rating. How do the educational requirements of the occupations you listed fit with your interest to pursue additional training?

Score: 39, The occupation, ‘Buyer’, will hire an individual with as low as a High School Diploma. If that is field I want to pursue, even though I tend to be impatient with time constraints, I consider Education to be valuable. So, I will still invest my time and efforts in a Bachelor’s or higher even in seeking ‘Buyer’ as a profession. This makes me more qualified in a competitive market. I am a practical learner. If I do not see what is being taught, than I will most likely have difficulty picturing the concept in my head for future reference.

C. Look at your “Leadership Style” rating. How do these occupations fit your personal

Score: 60, I have no trouble expressing my opinion, even under scrutiny. However, I feel I take criticism well because I am always looking for opportunities to improve. I would rather teach by example for sake of credibility. As an educator in Finances or Accounting, I would live my life according to those standards of being smart and practical with numbers and maintaining a budget and being selective on how to spend. If I am consistent with this lifestyle, I am a more credible educator.

D. Look at your “Risk Taking/Adventure” rating. Explain how the occupations do or do not match your risk taking style.

Score: 39, For the most part, I do not like taking risks for the sake of predictability. I would avoid a job that is based on commission such as Sales, Buyers and Marketing. I prefer a salary that I can count on, even if I risk making less money. I function better and have less stress when I know how to plan. However, in the risks that I HAVE taken has built character and strengths I would otherwise never have known about myself. Administrative Assistant is a realistic occupation for it has potential to be structured and professional, yet there might be a few requirements that will challenge my comfort of predictability.

5. What college majors are suggested for your theme code that you find interesting?

Enterprising- Travel and Tourism, Retail Merchandising, and Hospitality

Social- Family Studies, Occupational Therapist, Religious Studies

Conventional- Business Education, Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management

6. Of your top 10 occupations, list 3 you are most interested in and the educational

preparation required for each.

Retail Sales Manager AA or BA

Retail Sales Representative BA preferred

Buyer High School Diploma, AA or BA

Name Robert Brigance Date February 27, 2012