Career Goals and Objectives
Possible promotional opportunities for career growth
Career Motivators in my Current Position
At my current position, my major career motivator is to further understand the strategic background behind the customer service initiatives. Upon the development of understanding, I would like to driver of this change. I would want it to be a two way street, where I not only bring about changes to customer service initiatives with change in company strategy, but also provide feedback to senior leadership about change in customer demands and perceptions.
My knowledge of computers, internet and MS Office suite of software has opened up many possibilities. Also, my daily use of Customer Resource Management (CRM) software had helped me develop limited its understanding. Therefore, I am motivated to know more about how it is linked to over IT infrastructure of the company. Also, I would want to explore further how it linked to Business Intelligence (BI) infrastructure, and its use in decision making.
Later in my career, I would want to have an overarching view of how company strategy transcends to frontline level.
Skills and Competencies to Be Developed
Next I would like to take additional courses to understand the software that are used in CRM. I will try to explore part-time courses being offered by Universities in California. In addition, I would try to find out about course being offered by the company itself. Also, online courses are being offered by reputed universities via Coursea and edX.
Vision of Future Career Directions
At next stage, I will have to decide whether to for the advanced course in Business or Computer Sciences. I haven’t made up my mind as yet, but I believe as I take the previous steps, I would have a clearer picture about it.
Although it is tempting to go for MBA from reputed Universities, I currently see no merit in it as I already have Bachelors in Business. As for Masters in Science, in Computer Sciences, I am not sure about it either. I know I critically need advanced computer skills, but my interest lies in exploring business aspect behind various corporate decisions.
I am comfortable with the fact that I have narrowed down my choices to just two options. Now, I should go about exploring the field better, and that will allow me to make a final choice.
Methods for Career Management
After summarizing the self-assessment information and career development needs, I would come to the next steps.
Next, I will further develop my Career Development Action Plan (CDAP) and request a meeting with my supervisor to refine it further. It will also be an opportunity to seek feedback from the supervisor about my strengths and weaknesses. Also to seek advice about organization’s needs, new technology being applied, and opportunities to volunteer.
An Inventory of Current Skills, Abilities, Training, and Education
My current skills can be divided into technical and soft skills. Among my technical skills would be; Microsoft Word; Microsoft Excel; Microsoft Project and Project Management; making marketing plans; marketing research; and business management. I also have a strong linguistic side, as I am fluent in; Mandarin; Taiwanese; and English. Among my soft skills are; time management; multi-tasking; customer service; organization behavior; and communications. I have considerable experience in team building due to my association with basketball teams.
Job Satisfaction Attributes
I would like to develop my job satisfaction attributes.
What Job Satisfaction Means to Me
I derive job satisfaction from helping others in need. I share the same psychology as John Stuart, a great psychologist, to share “the greatest happiness for the greatest number.” This means I love to work with others to produce good for the greatest number of people. On the other hand, I would strike for the greatest quantity to the maximum number of people.
Define Factors for Your Job Satisfaction
In the past I have derived great satisfaction in being as basketball coach at JV Basketball in Canyonville, OR. My securing first place in Pool Tournament in 2008, in Canyonville OR, gave me great confidence and strength. More recently, I have been honored for being outstanding student in 2009. I have also participated in local basketball leagues, in 2010-11, in Burbank, CA. All these activities have instilled great confidence in me, and I now look forward to even greater challenges.
Identification of three action steps to reaching stated career goals and objectives
Short-Term (1 year)
In the short term, I would like to have greater exposure at my current work place on both business and IT side of operation. In a step (activity) in that direction, I would like to job-shadow my managers in both on business and IT side of operations. As a step in that direction (action step), I would talk to my support person so seek his/her approval. I’d also talk to Human Resource (HR) consultant of inquire if the company has any leadership development program, which can help be in this regard. To get an opportunity to job-shadow or to enroll in leadership program within a year from now can be considered as a success (milestones/success measures). Typically, I would aim for more than one job-shadow opportunity. Once these initiatives go underway, I would start looking for mentors, possibly within my organization, to guide me further.
Medium-Term (2-5 years)
In the medium term, I will find mentor for myself (activity). I will find one either in my own company or kind of company I’d like to work in the future. As a step in that direction (action step), I would explore joining various professional bodies. Typically they have mentorship programs. Once into formal mentor-mentee relationship, I would like to develop a positive relationship with my mentor (milestone/success measure).
I will also identify and complete self-study courses that are relevant to my place of work (activity). So these courses can be either in business or IT, depending on the need of the organization. As a step in that direction (action step), I will enroll and complete these courses. Even before that I will talk to my supervisor seeking permission to use those skills on pro bono basis. I will consider successful completion and use of that knowledge at my current workplace as a measure of success (milestone/success measure).
In the medium term, I will try to make up my mind whether to do Masters in the field of Business or Computer Science (activity). As a step in that direction (action step), I will be taking to my mentors; my seniors in school and university; and a member of professional bodies. A final decision made and beginning of its preparation shall be considered as a success (milestone/success measure).
Long-Term (+5 years)
In the long term, I will enroll in one of the major universities in California (activity). As a step in that direction, I will clear necessary exams (GRE or GMAT) and apply to the universities (action step). Successful completion and finding a suitable job thereafter would be a reasonable measure of success.
Identification of potential barriers to reaching stated career goals
In short-term, there would be limited opportunities for job-shadowing and leadership development program. There would be other equally competitive contenders for the place. I will have to find a ready mentor, and also one who has right credentials to guide. Identifying the correct course to do as part of self-study plan is a challenge. Even greater challenge would be to use those skills in my current company on pro bono basis. Further, I will have to explore my aptitude in IT or Business, and find where future is. Other barriers would be to take out time from my current roles and responsibilities to prepare for GRE and GMAT, and prepare an all-round portfolio to apply for Masters.
Analyze the effect of career training programs
I will analyze the effect of career training in terms of following parameters; self-confidence; level of education, which is a number of courses and Masters done; my ability to work with my peers, and inspire them to achieve even more; ability to gain confidence superiors; and a new job with greater responsibilities after my Masters. Finally, I would like to see myself as happy and confident person.
Bibliography
Taub, R. (2013, 11 20). Your 5-Step Method For Defining Job Satisfaction. Retrieved from Careerealism: http://www.careerealism.com/5step-method-defining-job-satisfaction/
