The Interview Process
Thoughts And Reflections
Dr. Wallace and Lizzie
The Complete Transcript--The First Interview
The Complete Transcript--The Second Interview
The fact that I had read a great deal in class about the theory involved with creating a personal narrative, as well as the more practical aspects of interviewing (arranging the interview, picking the best setting for the interview, operating the digital voice recorder, all the nuts and bolts) helped me, of course--but I was still nervous! I tried my best not to betray that to Dr. Wallace--after all, I needed to put her at ease.
We sat down in Dr. Wallace's living room, and Dr. Wallace brought me a glass of water. I took two digital pictures of her, to put on this website, and I set up the digital voice recorder and its attached microphone. Everything was going according to plan.
That is, until Lizzie came on the scene! Dr. Wallace's little daughter was so outgoing and friendly that, every so often, I had to stop recording! There are gaps in the first transcript where Lizzie interrupted us!
We did not have that problem during the second interview, which took place in Dr. Wallace's kitchen. Lizzie was taking her nap on a sofa in the living room.
Really, the entire affair was over much too quickly.
Some of my classmates have gushed about how they've become good friends with the women who they've interviewed. Unfortunately, this has not been the case with Dr. Wallace and I. Perhaps, someday, that will change.
To interview someone is to take on a great responsibility.
After all, this website that you have been browsing through is my method of presenting Dr. Wallace's story. You, the audience, can choose to read through my interview transcripts in their entirety--or you can choose to read only the selected quotes that I have on the homepage. You will come away with a somewhat different impression of Dr. Wallace, depending on which of those you choose to do.
If I had wanted to, I could also have chosen to write down Dr. Wallace's biography in my own words--paraphrasing, shortening some things, omitting others completely.
Ultimately, it is I who has the power to represent Dr. Wallace in any way I choose.
One thing that interviewers always have to think about is, who benefits from the interview, and in what ways?
My benefits:
1. I've learned how to conduct and transcribe a successful interview, which I hope will aid me in future endeavors.
2. I'm getting a grade for a class.
3. If I have done well (and I hope that I have), then I am gaining respect and prestige--from my professor, other faculty, Hollins students, my family, my friends...the list goes on.
4. I know that I have made a concrete contribution to an important project.
Dr. Wallace has not been monetarily compensated for her time and effort--it was understood, before we even began to make arrangements for the interview, that it would be done on a volunteer basis.
For Dr. Wallace will be obtaining respect and prestige, as well. People will be educated and entertained by her narrative. Future doctors and activists might be given hope by reading about the things that she has done with her life. Prospective Hollins students might make their college decision based on her words.
Bibliography
Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company. “Milton S. Hershey History.” http://www.hersheypa.com/town_of_hershey/history. Internet. Accessed 16 February 2006.
Lancaster Regional Adoption Conference. “Workshop Sessions.” http://www.lrac.info/workshops.html. Internet. Accessed 16 February 2006.
Milton Hershey School, The. “Milton Hershey School.” http://www.mhs-pa.org. Internet. Accessed 16 February 2006.
Penn State Faculty Research Expertise Database. “Jennifer L. Wallace.” http://www.fred.psu.edu/ds/retrieve/fred/investigator/jlw35. Internet. Accessed 16 February 2006.
University of Maryland School of Medicine, The. “The University of Maryland School of Medicine.” http://medschool.umaryland.edu. Internet. Accessed 16 February 2006.
Yang, Dali. “China Business Books.” www.daliyang.com/ china-map.jpg. Internet. Accessed 8 April 2006.
I also consulted the Hollins College Spinster, academic years 1988-1989; 1989-1990; 1990-1991; and 1991-1992, as well as the Hollins College viewbook from 1989-1990.