Citizen Entrepreneur Explorer Program (CEEP) adapted to the current pandemic challenges like social distancing, social anxiety of meeting new people, and video call fatigue.

12 Strategies for Conducting Virtual Field Interviews

CEEP will not let the inability to travel deter one from field research. With the right adjustments, we will conduct interviews over video calls that are as effective as in-person conversations. These guidelines, initially developed by the Harvard Business School Case Writing & Research Group, are a great place to start. These have been adapted for CEEP.

1. Ask interviewees if they consent to the conversation being recorded. Let founders know that you are interviewing them for the purposes of developing a research and that you’re seeking their candor. Start by putting them at ease: set expectations that they will have the opportunity to review all quotes prior to publication.
2. Practice online social skills. Train students on how to put interviewees at easy early in the coursework for the researching-learning process. Offer them practice with each other and use other tools to warm up contacts (see #11)
3. Limit capacity. Zoom makes it easier to have many people join the conversation—be sure to ask yourself, “How many attendees is too many?” If the interviewers outnumber the interviewees, interviewees might feel overwhelmed. At the very least, suggest that some people on your team turn off their videos.
4. Plan for a slower process. Use fewer interview questions or send questions ahead of time. Expect that there may be technical issues and that lag time may increase interruptions. If multiple interviewers are involved, coordinate an approach for asking questions to avoid potential interruptions.
5. Build in breaks. When coordinating back-to-back interviews, allow time for breaks between calls. You will want to stand up and stretch, and connect with your colleagues on their impressions of previous interviews. Allow time to strategize and adjust for your next call.
6. Maintain professionalism. Dress as you would when traveling for a field visit. Make sure the video background (real or virtual) is professional and limit interruptions as best you can.
7. Remain flexible. You will find that virtual interviews may be easier to schedule, but they’re also easier to cancel. Leave time for rescheduling the interview if the need arises.
8. Be comfortable offering technical support. Get familiar with coaching interviewees on how to navigate Zoom—particularly if you are using screenshare or displaying documents. Offer advice to help interviewees configure their set up (distance, light, sound, etc.), particularly for video recordings.
9. Accept awkwardness. It is often more difficult to read social cues and body language virtually, especially when many people are on a call. Some people may be less talkative or comfortable on screen than they are in person, and the usual tools of connection, such as small talk, are harder to use. However, if things just are not working…
10. Bring the phone call back. Some interviewees may just not be comfortable on screen. Don’t be afraid to suggest a voice-only phone call—Zoom isn’t always necessary.
11. Warm the community up. Utilize surveys or pre-surveys as a starting place to gather overall data. This can give you a targeted list for future research by other CEEP students.
12. Define the specific community well. Work closely with business groups in specific neighborhoods to partner for this research. Make it clear that the organization is helping student as well as it could be an opportunity to understand the local businesses better.
13. Offer win-win scenarios. When appropriate offer general overview data summaries that can be helpful for the neighborhood business associations. This can create a win-win scenario and give students access to more businesses for initial contact.
14. Think community first. Frame interactions as a community partnership for the small business, associations and other stakeholders who may help with answering the research questions posed by the students.

During these challenging times, all businesses are trying to figure out how to keep their customers and connect to new markets. Some of the research offered by students with their questions can help with this. Teaching the students about adapting their learning to current situations is another type of skill for them to practice. The pandemic is here so keeping the knowledge expanding around entrepreneurship is essential right now. The discovery process of the BMCC CEEP students will make an important statement about community involvement and neighborhood awareness.

Are you a student at a college wondering how to navigate this ever-changing world of education? Are you looking for ways in which to make the college experience more meaningful for students? If so, then this post is for you! Here, we’ll delve into the complex question of why attending college isn’t just about getting a job – it’s about exploring one’s self. With the rising cost of higher education and increasing competition in the job market, many students are seeing their educations as nothing more than a means to an end – but there are much more profound reasons college should be considered beyond just employment opportunities. So take some time with us as we explore what purpose higher learning really serves and discover why it shouldn’t be limited only to gaining a degree or making money.

There are more profound reasons to go to college than just getting a job or making money.

The reason to go to college is not just to get a job or make money. While those may be some of the benefits, there are other reasons that are just as important, if not more so. College can provide you with a sense of community and a place to learn and grow. It can also give you the opportunity to explore new interests and meet new people.

Sure, you can get all of that from other places, but college offers something unique that you can’t find elsewhere. It’s a place where you can really focus on your education and your future. You have the opportunity to take classes that interest you and explore different career options. And when you graduate, you’ll have a diploma that proves you have the skills and knowledge to succeed in the real world.

So don’t listen to anyone who tells you that college isn’t worth it. The truth is, it’s one of the best investments you can make in your life.

Importance of self-exploration and how college provides a unique opportunity for students to do this.

Self-exploration is incredibly important, and college provides a unique opportunity for students to do this. College is a time of transition, during which young adults are exploring their identities and trying to figure out what they want in life. This process can be difficult and confusing, but it’s also a time of growth and exploration.

One of the best things about college is that it’s a place where students can explore different academic and extracurricular interests. Students can try new things and figure out what they’re passionate about. They can also meet new people and develop relationships with like-minded individuals.

College is also a time for self-reflection. Students can examine their beliefs and values, and ask themselves important questions about their lives. This process can be challenging, but it’s also beneficial. By thinking about these things, students can start to form a plan for their future.

Ultimately, self-exploration is an essential part of the college experience. It allows students to grow and learn more about themselves. It’s also a way to prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.

Examples of how the college experience can be more meaningful for students beyond just attending classes and getting a degree.

One of the many benefits of attending college is the opportunity to get involved in extracurricular activities. These activities can be a great way to meet new people, learn new skills, and explore your interests. They can also help you make the most of your college experience by providing opportunities to develop relationships with faculty and staff, explore career options, and get engaged in your community.

For example, I’m involved in the music department at my school, and it’s been a great way to meet new people and learn about different types of music. I’ve also had the opportunity to perform in front of large audiences, which has been a great experience. I would never have had that opportunity if I hadn’t gone to college.

I also recommend getting involved in student government or other political organizations on campus. These organizations can give you a chance to learn about the political process and get involved in your community. They can also help you develop leadership skills that will be useful in your future career.

In short, there are many ways to make the most of your college experience beyond just attending classes and getting a degree. Get involved in extracurricular activities, get engaged in your community, and explore your interests. You’ll be glad you did!

Importance of having a sense of purpose in life and how college can help provide this.

When it comes to having a sense of purpose in life, college can be a huge help. This is because going to college provides an opportunity to explore different interests and figure out what you want to do with your life. It can be tough trying to figure out what you want to do when you’re not sure what you’re interested in, but college can give you a chance to try out different classes and clubs and see what you like. Once you have a better idea of what you want to do, you can start focusing on pursuing specific goals.

Having a sense of purpose is important because it gives your life meaning and direction. It helps you stay motivated when things get tough, and it gives you something to look forward to. When you know what you’re working towards, it’s easier to stay focused and stay on track. College can help provide this sense of purpose by giving you the opportunity to discover your passions and learn more about what’s available to you. You’ll also meet new people who might have similar interests and can help support you along the way. So if you’re feeling lost or unsure about what you want to do with your life, don’t worry – college can help point you in the right direction.

Emphasizing that there are many benefits to going to college beyond just employment opportunities and that it is important for students to explore all that higher education has to offer.

In addition to the many benefits of employment opportunities, higher education offers students a chance to explore many other areas that can benefit their lives. College provides students with the opportunity to learn about new subjects, meet new people, and travel to new places. These experiences can help broaden a student’s horizons and help them grow as a person. Additionally, college can be a time for students to figure out what they want to do with their lives. They can try out different majors and careers and see what fits best with their interests and goals. Overall, there are many reasons why students should explore all that college has to offer. It is an important time in their lives where they can learn and grow in many different ways.

College provides students with opportunities to explore their interests, develop a sense of purpose, and gain the skills they need to be successful in life. While many students choose to go to college primarily for employment reasons, there are much more profound reasons to pursue higher education. College is unique in that it allows students the time and space to discover who they are and what they want out of life. For many people, this period of self-exploration can be invaluable.

Ultimately, college will lead to a better paying career than before you started. We can think about courses and college as a process, not just an outcome. You shouldn’t be thought of as widgets being molded for a job, but instead a human discovering their potential.