Career Aspirations and Reflection on Skills Development - Essay Example

? Career Management in Business (HR COMPONENT 2: PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Number: ……………………. SECTION CAREER ASPIRATIONS “This sectionasks you to outline your current career aspirations. You should identify your chosen occupation and job role within that. You may choose to differentiate between short, medium and long term aspirations.” “You should also identify the types of skills/competences that are required to be successful in this role (this must be supported by relevant sources and references), and your current strengths and weaknesses in relation to these skills/competences. Please identify ONE strength and ONE weakness only, and provide detailed supporting evidence.” 1.1 Career aspirations My long term career plan is to be able to open and establish my own string of SPA and Wellness Centres in London. I envision myself as a successful entrepreneur, managing and operating not only one, but several shops, even to the point of offering low cost franchise for those who, like me, have aspirations to attain financial freedom and stability through opening their own business. To accomplish this dream, I see myself building the necessary resources to open my own business in the city. Apart from the financial requirements, I also have to be equipped to establish and oversee my own SPA and Wellness Centre. So I could be trained thoroughly in business management, my medium term goal is to be able obtain a management position as an Operations Manager in one of the top SPA and Wellness Centres in London. My first step towards achieving these goals is first, to obtain my bachelor’s and master’s degree in Business Management. I consider this my short term career goal, as this will serve as my stepping stone towards my dreams. I am now juggling both my studies and a job within the same industry, which to me, are perfect training grounds both in my chosen field of studies and my personal development as well. 1.2 Skills required/demanded in your chosen occupation/role A SPA and Wellness Business Manager should have excellent leadership skills, superior people skills and extensive knowledge on the SPA business. Successful careers are deemed not to be based on academic qualifications alone, but more importantly, on the person’s ability to demonstrate strong leadership skills in the workplace (MIB – Master of International Business in Hotel, Resort and Spa Management 2011). In this sense, I must be able to develop strength in character, and solid decision making skills to I could eventually lead my own team towards a prosperous business venture. Leadership skills are essentially the ability to motivate a group of people towards particular goals (Leadership 2011). I would only be able to do this if people have reasons to look up to me. The SPA and Wellness business is lucrative business, which has gained immense popularity on the global front simply because of the growing interest in holistic wellness. More than going to the doctor for treatment of particular diseases, people have embraced the concept of prevention. Release from tension and stress allows us to become healthy individuals (Spas and the Global Wellness Market: Synergies and Opportunities 2011). Just like any other industry, the trends are evolving. Technology plays a big part in the development of this segment. And so to be able to be an effective SPA and Wellness Manager, I must be constantly in touch with the developments on a global level. I must know, understand and more importantly, enjoy the specifics of this business to succeed. People skills are one of the most important qualities that a SPA and Wellness Business Manage should have. The Wellness industry is a service-oriented vocation. The products are all about pleasing people and giving them good levels of health and wellness services. There should be a strong connection between the service providers and the customers. The people behind this service should be able to understand the demands of the market and be able to come up with ways to deliver according to the clients’ standards. On top of these, a business manager should have a personal commitment to his chosen field, which in this case, is the SPA and Wellness business. He must have passion for what he does, to keep up his interests and sustain the degree of commitment he has for the chosen career. I personally believe that one can only succeed in the field closest to his heart. Finally, a business manager should be finance-savvy. He must be in touch with business trends and is able to understand the market demands. A Business Manager should have the necessary quantitative skills to understand where the business is heading and for him be able to set the pace for development. Financial know-how is one important skill that a Business Manager should have. 1.3a ONE Strength (with examples) I consider my personal appreciation for beauty and wellness as my ultimate strength and a tool towards achieving my goals. I am an advocate of healthy living, internalizing the basic principles of a healthy life by eating clean, living clean and getting regular beauty and wellness care. My interests in all these things are in fact, what lead me to pursue further studies as a massage therapist in 2007. I enjoy it so much that I still practice freelance Beauty and Massage Therapy up now. For me, it is more than a career. It is personal belief, my passion that would definitively bring me to achieving my career goals. 1.3b ONE Weakness (with examples) Every now and then, I see myself getting out of focus, deviating from goals that i have set for myself. It is a conscious effort on my part to motivate myself to keep on going, to stay in line and adhere to my personal action plans. This happens particularly when circumstances offer varied opportunities, that I tend to be sidetracked from my original goals. Back in high school, I was involved in numerous extracurricular activities that I tend to neglect other important things. Time management and right balance are two things I am still learning to perfect. SECTION 2: REFLECTION ON YOUR SKILLS DEVELOPMENT “This section asks you to reflect on THREE significant experiences/incidents where you have learned a new, or developed an existing, skill or competence. These experiences/incidents could be based in any relevant context (e.g. work, university, home, social clubs etc.) but must refer to skills that you believe will be important in your future employment and career.” Experience 1: Describe the experience As a massage therapist, there are basic trainings that I had to attend. It is not a skill instantly acquired. A wellness practitioner must learn the ropes before he can do the job. Wellness is somewhat parallel to medical studies. A therapist doesn’t just perform the tasks assigned of him. He must have ample understanding of the human body so that he will not compromise his work by committing errors. As you are responsible for someone else’s well being, due training and supervision are needed. What did you learn? Having been trained at the Claire Maxwell Hudson Massage School and gaining my Level 3 Diploma in Massage Therapy was a life changing experience for me, such that I began to understand how the Wellness industry is now a great part of the society. My hands on training as a masseur provided me the chance to see that I can make a difference in someone else’s life simply by helping their minds and bodies relax from the demands of the society, whether it be on a personal or professional scale. Along the way, I was able to acquire massage techniques and wellness skills, enough for me to practice this profession independently. How have/will you use this new skill to aid the achievement of your career aspirations? My hands on training, and my diploma in Massage Therapy opened doors for me as I began to see this job as a long-term career plan. Right now, I work on a freelance basis, applying the skills I have learned during the training. This is the best training ground before I seek further studies, and move forward to my chosen career. Experience 2: Describe the experience I spent one whole year as a Festival Coordinator at Pishter Ltd., London. My brief stint as an events coordinator supported my ever growing interest in business and trade as I was able to see things from a marketing perspective. I was part of the team that organized Trade Shows and Fundraising Activities, overseeing logistical requirements to make the events possible. One particular experience that I will always remember was that time when faced budget constraints staging the Pulse Festival in 2007. The cash flow was not properly managed, up to the time when we already had to make payments to particular suppliers, without getting the commitment of most of the exhibitors. We could not afford any more delays in the preparation, with the event launch a few days ahead. During this time, I was tasked to negotiate both with suppliers and exhibitors to arrive at an agreed payment period. Soon after, all the logistical requirements were fulfilled. What did you learn? Negotiating skills are very handy when in business operations. There are a lot of unavoidable circumstances, particularly because we deal with all kinds of people. A good working relationship with both clients and support groups should be maintained so that minimal damage may happen during cases when delays are inevitable. A good manager should have excellent negotiation skills that may be used for internal and external clients. It is essential for a good business person to succeed How have/will you use this new skill to aid the achievement of your career aspirations? As I am planning to embark in a service-oriented business, my acquired negotiation skills would be useful in dealing with partners, suppliers and customers alike. There will be times when my team would fall short of the clients’ expectations, no matter how hard we try to meet their standards. Clients can be really demanding to the point of being uncompromising. Having been exposed in an industry where such skills are valued, I know that I would be able to handle the requirements of the demanding customer and at the same time, manage relations with partners and suppliers as well. Experience 3: Describe the experience Having worked as a freelancer for most of my career life, I have developed the skill of self discipline. I have been trained to work under minimal supervision, managing my projects and clients on my own. As a freelance event coordinator, I was only given a set of deliverables and timelines, and was allowed to work at my own pace, with the only condition of being able to deliver what is expected of me at the desired time. I worked independently with no one to monitor my progress but myself. When I embarked on a freelance career as a massage therapist, I also had to rely on only myself to get clients, maintain their loyalty and cater to their requirements. I am my own boss, my own manager and my own worker and this set up entails so much self discipline and motivation, otherwise, I will be sidetracked from my responsibilities. What did you learn? I learned that if I want to succeed running my own business, there has to be a great amount of self-discipline to get me close to my objectives. Having a business to own and manage would mean that I cannot rely on anyone but myself. My to-do lists are my own, and I can only rely on my own efforts to get me somewhere. How have/will you use this new skill to aid the achievement of your career aspirations? The journey towards achieving my desired career has only just begun, and there are a lot of steps I have to undertake before I get anywhere near my aspirations. For now, I have to finish my Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Psychology. In a year or so, I would be ready to enrol in a Masters Degree program. Career wise, I have yet to secure a full time employee position in one of the local SPA and Wellness Centres. There is so much to do. However, with the skill of being self-disciplined, I know that I would be able to accomplish these tasks one by one within my given time frame. I will ensure that I would adhere to my plans so that I would not lose time and effort trying to get where I want to be. SECTION 3: CAREER MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN “The following section asks you to set yourself THREE key objectives related to your career development for the next twelve (12) months. Each objective should be SMART, i.e. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-framed.” “For each objective you should outline specific actions that you will have to undertake if you are to achieve each objective. You must also set a specific and detailed time frame for achieving each objective.” Objective 1: State the objective. Ensure that I finish my Bachelor’s Degree In Business Management and Psychology within the given time frame. Outline of specific actions associated with the achievement of the above objective. The first step towards career advancement is getting a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. I have been enrolled in this degree program since 2007, and since have made notable progress given that I am a working student who cannot go into full load due to time issues. My specific actions include: Consulting with adviser on how far I have gone basing on my course curriculum. My goal is to finish my degree course in 2013. As such, I have to ensure that I am on track in terms of my academic requirements Plan my course enlistments in the next two years basing on my adviser’s recommendation. Plan my finances for the next two years to avoid financial issues and be on track with my finances Time frame for achievement of the above objective. My consultation with my adviser should happen before the academic year ends. Thereafter, I have to check course availability so I could time my subject enlisting. I plan to do this within two months after getting the recommendation of my adviser. Being a working student, I also have to plan on increasing my source of income to sustain my financial obligations as far as my schooling is concerned. This includes expanding my prospects and partnering with agencies that would help me find more clients. This also means gaining employment in a SPA and Wellness Centre where I could earn a steady income and probably get commissions basing on the sales that I will make. Objective 2: State the objective. Enrol in a diploma certificate that would provide me further information and higher credentials in therapeutic massage as soon as I am able to get confirmation on my Bachelor’s Degree graduation. Scouting for another educational centre that would provide me further studies in therapeutic massage is one of my agendas as soon as I get confirmation on my graduation. Due to time constraints, I would not be able to simultaneously do both, but working on entering such training programs will help me prepare as soon as I am out of college. Outline of specific actions associated with the achievement of the above objective. My action plans are as follows: Get referrals from other therapeutic massage practitioners as to what are the good training/ academic centres that could provide me such preparation. Inquire and explore from these institutions on the course offerings/ programs they may have that I can enrol in after two years. Work on getting into these schools by gaining the required credentials/ experiences, as may be individually required. Time frame for achievement of the above objective. The only thing keeping me from further studies is that I have to first finish my Bachelor’s degree. So all these I would have to do while waiting for my graduation, which should be in 2013. From January to end of next year, I will continuously research on academic institutions that could provide me further qualifications in the field of Beauty and Wellness. Referrals, I would have to get from colleagues and mentors within the same industry. Objective 3: State the objective. Be able to seek employment as a full time, regular massage therapist in any of the top Wellness Centres in London. Enhancing my career portfolio and qualifications goes hand in hand with my objective to get the necessary academic background. Even if I am having sufficient income as a freelance therapeutic masseur, it may prove to be more beneficial if I train in one of the more established institutions, under the supervision of more experienced practitioners. This way, I can also get certifications and commendations from people who have greater expertise than me. Outline of specific actions associated with the achievement of the above objective. My specific action plans are as follows: Distribute my updated resumes in most SPA and Wellness Centres in London. I will allocate time for interviews and screenings to increase the chances of being accepted. I will try to get referrals from former mentors, that might increase my chances of getting a permanent job Manage my course load in school so I can balance my time between my job and my academic obligations. Time frame for achievement of the above objective. I will begin my applications to various Wellness Centres in January of 2010. For now, I will maximize the opportunities as a freelance, and continue to accept assignments, until such time I get regular employment. I see myself being able to get a job before April of 2012. Until then, all my efforts will be focused on job hunting and getting my academics all lined up for my expected date of graduation in 2013. References MIB – Masters of International Business in Hotel, Resort and SPA Management. Swiss Hotel Management School. December 5, 2011 from http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:ty-KJ2yt5dMJ:www.shms.com/en/master-programmes/mib+skills+required+in+spa+business+management&cd=1&hl=tl&ct=clnk&gl=ph Leadership Skills. About.com. December 5, 2011 from http://management.about.com/od/leadership/Leadership.htm Spas and the Global Wellness Market: Synergies and Opportunities 2011. December 5, 2011 from http://www.wellpeople.com/pdf/Spas_Global_Wellness_Market_SRI_May_2010.pdf Read More