Career Interview Reflection

1. Who did you interview? What is their name, career title, and contact information? How do
you know this person?
The person I interviewed was Officer Melissa Link. She is a Police Officer from San Diego
located at San Diego State University. She is reachable by her company phone is which
is, (619)-594-1991. Officer Link is my teacher’s friend, who helped me with this
interview.

2. What does a typical day look like in this career?

A typical day for Officer Link is responding to 911 calls, talking to the public, enforcing
traffic laws, and security checks at the SDSU campus.

3. What skills and abilities do you need to succeed in this career?

I learned an important skill you need to have as a Police Officer is Empathy. Officer Link
has to wear many different hats day to day in order to handle a variety of situations.

4. What are some facts you learned about this career that you were unaware of prior to this
experience?
Some facts I learned were the Police Department will want to see your high school and
college transcripts. Also, you can take a ride along at any department you want which
would give you an inside look through the day of a Police Officer.

5. Which aspects of this career are appealing to you? Explain.

I like the idea of patrolling around, helping enforce laws to keep our community safe.

6. Which aspects of this career are not appealing to you? Explain.

I only have one aspect that I don’t like about this career, which is the risk. Citizens can
be worried about situations but Police Officers have to face those situations head on
which at times result in injury or worse, death.

7. How does this career compare to your strengths, interests, and values? Is it a good fit for
you? Explain.
Some ways this career is compatible to me is that I am a natural born leader which could
be beneficial in the future of my career. Also, I always like being able to do the right
thing.

8. What would you need to do to prepare for a job in this field?

To prepare for a job in this field I would need good grades on both my high school and
college transcripts, passing my Police Enforcement Entrance Exam and the Police
Academy.
9. How has this job shadow experience influenced your career goals?
This job shadow gave me a greater insight into a career as a Police Officer. I learned
many things thanks to Officer Melissa Link. All these facts and information will help me
in the future of Law Enforcement.