Public Speaking in the Field

As a class requirement I am to personally interview someone in my "chosen career field" in regards to what part public speaking plays in their lives. It would be so wonderful if I could interview someone in the gaming industry, as that's my dream of one day being a part of. It sure would beat interviewing some disgruntled database programmer at a financial services company (question #1: how do I avoid getting your job?). I don't have any money to pay for an interview, but I need to achieve an interview before the end of July this year. (Summer classes... gotta love 'em...)

Would anyone be so kind as to talk over lunch and answer a few questions? I'm honestly curious about what you professionals say before meetings and boards, and before gaming fans, on the news, and to each other. Also meeting someone in the industry would help me come out of my shell, and start to build friendships, and in theory, some day be able to pay for membership here at the IGDA, without working at a faceless financial services company.

I live in Tracy, over in the central valley, but I go to college in Livermore. I'm constrained by public transportation (I don't drive) but I have some knowledge how to get most places in the east bay, and even perhaps down to San Jose for a pretty penny. Also well familiar how to get up to Stockton, though I empathize with any creative types stuck in that city. Fridays are best, but any other weekday (no trains or busses on weekends in Tracy at all) would be good too, assuming I'm busy between 10:30am and 12:30am in Livermore with this class that's putting me up for giving an interview.

I'm not picky here: designers, artists (swoon), engine programmers, gofers, 3D modellers, disgruntled database programmers who really are going to get their game idea realized just you wait, sound engineers, gaming activists, anybody feel quite free to help out this desperate one.