Career Day 2017
Location: North Coast Photographic Services
Mentor: Annie Laurie
Before you get to your job shadow:
During your job shadow:
After job shadow:
Career Day Reflection
Cold Calling Script:
Hello! This is Sydney Lorton regarding Career Day. Sorry to bug you, but I do need a response either yes or no by 3:30, the end of my school day. If I don't hear a response by then, I will be able to find another Career Day site, but I would love to hear from you soon. Thank you.
She was then able to respond about half an hour later through text.
Text Messaging:
Hi Sydney! I asked my boss and she said it would be ok. It's really slow, so I won't be going in till 1:30pm. So you could come from 2-5 if that would work.
That sounds perfect thank you! And I can just meet you at the lab?
Yes.
Ok thank you! See you tomorrow.
Interview Question and Answer:
Q: What was your major in college?
A: Photography.
Q: What does everyday life look like here?
A: There are usually only a few employees and it can be pretty slow sometimes like today. They do a lot of processing and scanning of film and a good amount of computer work.
Q: When did you become interested in photography?
A: She initially became interested as a young kid, but began to study and gain knowledge about it once she was in high school. She then learned about it and began to love it and it was her major in college.
Q: How important is understanding film when learning about photography?
A: It is very important because it is a large part of getting to know the camera and the history.
Q: Because there seems to be so many photography businesses, why did you decide to start one of your own and how?
A: She was interested and wanted to, she had to make herself unique. It helps to know what you want to take photos of and how you will, as well as your style.
Mentor: Annie Laurie
Before you get to your job shadow:
- Are you wearing professional attire?
I was wearing a nice shirt and cardigan as well as a skirt, which is considered almost more than enough where I was working. - Do you have your interview questions?
I prepared about ten interview questions which I asked throughout my shadowing session. There were a multitude of questions, some about the job and some about how she got there. - Are you prepared to check in with your teacher (via phone)?
I was prepared to check in with my teacher and had my phone on me in the morning. I did however miss the call because of my older phone and its defects, but was able to quickly respond via text message and get myself checked in right away. - Do you have something to take notes on?
I had a journal to take notes in, but decided once I got there that I wanted the conversation to be natural and didn't take my notebook out right away, but instead wrote in it after and took in the answers in the moment.
During your job shadow:
- Are you asking questions throughout the day?
I asked a good amount of questions without distracting her from her work. I was able to get pretty detailed answers and information I wouldn't have known before. - Are you taking notes?
As I said before, I took notes afterwards, but collected information in my head while she was speaking so I was able to fully embrace it. - Are you taking pictures of interesting things/moments?
I took pictures of the space which was very interesting. The decor was artistic as you can imagine with anywhere that has anything to do with photography, and there were so many interesting pictures. They also had an adorable dog named Louie who was happy to see and hang out with me.
After job shadow:
Career Day Reflection
- What is Career Day at HTHNC? What is its purpose?
Career Day is a day where you get to choose any job you are interested in, contact someone who is employed connected to that job, and can shadow them for a day to learn about everyday life in that job and what it's about. It not only helps you find your interests and narrow down choices, but it also gives you professional skills for contacting other adults and professionals as well as interacting with them throughout the day. You learn what it would be like to work, have a job, and be in that routine. - Describe where you went, who you shadowed, etc. (overview of your placement)
I shadowed Annie Laurie, a photographer who works part time at North Coast Photographic Services where they scan and process film that comes in from all over the world. They are able to see photos taken from San Marcos or Switzerland, and will process the film to transition it to digital. The site was one of the company buildings in Carlsbad, and had a wondrous interior. There were photos hanging on the walls and so many tools I could barely comprehend what was what and where to start. There were a lot of computers as well as film (like the strips not movies) tools. - Describe a typical work day at this site.
Lot's of computer time, as well as processing and scanning film strips is what goes down at this site. They will first scan the photo film, then it will process into digital files where they can then slightly edit the photos and send them back out. There are only around two to four employees, and it is for the most part a laid back environment. The two employees I met seemed to be good friends and like they had known each other for a while, or at least worked well together. - What are the business's general work policies (tardiness, absence, dress code, technology use, etc.)?
They provide most if not all of the tools needed. Their hours seem flexible and dress code is laid back and comfortable. No one was wearing a suit or professional dress, but instead a nice tee and some jeans. I was probably the most overdressed there. - What sort of tasks/activities are the people at this business participating in?
They work with photo film. They will scan it, process it, and edit it. - In what ways do you expect your high school classes and the skills you have learned to apply to this profession?
You need to be able to work well with your other employees, collaborate, and communicate. Even though I spent a limited amount of time there, I could tell communication was a key factor in their success. If they didn't talk to each other, they wouldn't be aware of what they have to do or change. They also need to be creative and keep the customer in mind. I feel like I have the skills required. - What sort of credentials/degrees did your mentor need to have in order to gain this job?
My mentor has a Photography major, and didn't seem to need too much experience for the job except for with film and photography. You have to have a good eye and understand the art and process. - What new insight did you gain about working in the professional world by shadowing your mentor?
I realized that it takes more knowledge than expected to be a good photographer. You have to understand not only the camera, but the film, the history of photography, the process. You have to have an eye for what you want. You have to know how to use common editing software, but not rely on it for a good image. - Is this a career you are interested in pursuing? Why/why not?
Photography is a career in general that I would be interested in pursuing, but would need to work on to make that a possibility. I think I'm a good amateur photographer, but could study more and step up my game. - What would you like to keep in mind for Career Day 2018? (What would you have done differently this year? What do you want to make sure for next year?)
I would love to try something on the Math/Physics or Journalism side because those are both things that interest me, but that I am uncertain about. I would take more detailed notes and make sure I ask more questions next time, and really evaluate it with open and skeptical eyes.
Emailing:
May 17
Hello!
My name is Sydney Lorton and I am a 9th grader at High Tech High North County looking for someone to shadow for Career Day which is the 19th aka this Friday. The reason I am so late in asking is because my previous appointment cancelled on me due to illness. I would join you for your work hours on that day and would shadow you if you are doing a shoot, and if not we could possibly go to a location and shoot there. Thank you for your time! Please let me know as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Sydney Lorton
[email protected]
760-207-8506
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May 17
Hi Sydney,
Unfortunately I will be working in the lab on Friday. I could ask my boss and see if you could come, but it could be pretty boring ;). The lab is North Coast Photographic services. Let me know if you can’t find anything else!
Annie
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May 17
Ok thank you! I will be able to get back to you tomorrow to see if there are any other options, but if you do have time to ask your boss that would be much appreciated.
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May 18
Hello! I would love to be able to come to the lab tomorrow if your boss has okayed it. When would be a good time for me to come?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------After the last email was sent, I didn't get answer back, and time was running out, so I decided to call her.
Cold Calling Script:
Hello! This is Sydney Lorton regarding Career Day. Sorry to bug you, but I do need a response either yes or no by 3:30, the end of my school day. If I don't hear a response by then, I will be able to find another Career Day site, but I would love to hear from you soon. Thank you.
She was then able to respond about half an hour later through text.
Text Messaging:
Hi Sydney! I asked my boss and she said it would be ok. It's really slow, so I won't be going in till 1:30pm. So you could come from 2-5 if that would work.
That sounds perfect thank you! And I can just meet you at the lab?
Yes.
Ok thank you! See you tomorrow.
Interview Question and Answer:
Q: What was your major in college?
A: Photography.
Q: What does everyday life look like here?
A: There are usually only a few employees and it can be pretty slow sometimes like today. They do a lot of processing and scanning of film and a good amount of computer work.
Q: When did you become interested in photography?
A: She initially became interested as a young kid, but began to study and gain knowledge about it once she was in high school. She then learned about it and began to love it and it was her major in college.
Q: How important is understanding film when learning about photography?
A: It is very important because it is a large part of getting to know the camera and the history.
Q: Because there seems to be so many photography businesses, why did you decide to start one of your own and how?
A: She was interested and wanted to, she had to make herself unique. It helps to know what you want to take photos of and how you will, as well as your style.