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Example Interview I did

Sarah's picture

Hi everyone,

 

For a final project in my Empowering Learners class year, I conducted interviews with working mothers.  I didn't receive any formal prep for doing interviews, but I thought maybe showing you guys the email that I sent out to my potential interviewees would be helpful so I've copied and pasted below:

 

Hello all,

For my final project in my Empowering Learners class I am conducting interviews with working mothers and I am hoping you all could help.  I want to look at agency that working mothers have, how/if they feel empowered by their job, and whether or not they feel sexism in their workplace.  Below I've listed my questions to give you a very concrete idea of what I'm doing.  If you have any questions, feel free to email me.  Ideally a few of these interviews could be conducted in person, but for those of you who are not on Bryn Mawr's campus, I would greatly appreciate an emailed response, or if that is not ideal I could also conduct a phone interview.  Also, if you aren't interested in answering my interview questions but are willing to share your story, that is also greatly appreciated.


**Many of the questions will require answers that delve into your personal life.  If a question makes you uncomfortable, you can abstain from answering.**

1.        Please give your name, occupation, the name(s) and age(s) of your child(ren), and your marital status.
2.        Did you ever consider being a “stay-at-home” mom? If so what were your reasons? 
3.        Do you feel you are treated differently at your job because you have children? Please provide examples, either positive or negative.
4.        Do your coworkers and/or boss ask about your children at work? How does this make you feel? If you have a significant other, do you know/think that his coworkers and/or boss ask him/her about your children?
5.        If you have a significant other, how is the house work divided? Roughly what percent of the housework do you think you do? Are you happy with this division of housework?
6.        If you were working at the time you became pregnant, how did your coworkers/boss react? Were you treated any differently?
7.        What are some of the biggest challenges you face or have faced being a working mother?
8.        What are some of the greatest benefits of being a working mother?


Again, feel free to send back any questions, responses, or times you would be available to speak in person.

Thanks,
Sarah