Shaping My Future - Assignment Example

Shaping My Future I. Personal I am studying at because I care about knowledge in-itself, and I believe this is my best opportunity to be around other students, with similar interests, purpose, and goals. I’m interested in joining an atmosphere of learners with whom I can share ideas and develop my own. I think it’s necessary to be around a community of learner that can influence my beliefs and challenge me to raise my standard of excellence. I’m idealistic. I believe in meaning, or at least something that transcends blind allegiance to the dollar. I’m in the height of my life and I want to seize it, find and celebrate it in others, and not forget for an instant that all things must pass. I think books and art are important, that they can illuminate life, place our priorities in context, and help us recognize poignancy in things others may miss. I feel the same idea applies to certain people and I want to find more of them. Friday I got excited reading Emerson’s essay on Self-Reliance (Emerson 1973), thinking it was written with someone like me in mind, then on Monday got depressed reading Rorty on the personal and social, and realized there’s no box and bow I can tie and package intellectual thought (Rorty 2007). I have had this realization over a hundred times, and I keep on searching. I’m not sure if the unexamined life is worth living, but a day in my life hasn’t passed where I have not examined the question. I have considerable enterprise skills. I am a positive outgoing team player, with a professional and a creative attitude. I possess excellent communication skills, with an ability to interact with a broad range of clientele and top-level executives. I have outstanding writing and editing skills and pay meticulous attention to detail and the quality of my work. From time spent working in office environments I have attained solid and experienced managerial and organizational abilities. I am also technically proficient with the ability to learn new software platforms with rapid speed. Through my University experience I plan on attending diverse and challenging courses and will attain greater comprehension skills and develop long-term business goals and skills for my life. I have conducted research into theories of learning styles and applied the findings to my own learning processes have gained a large amount of self-knowledge. When analyzing the Kolb Learning Cycle (Kolb 1984), which situates the learning process as a four part cycle, wherein individuals tend towards one of the four poles, I tend to learn through the observation and reflection spectrum. This is depicted in Fig. 1 below: Fig. 1 Kolb Learning Cycle I have also research the Honey & Mumford Learning Cycle (Honey & Mumford 1983) and attained slightly different results after completing the questionnaire (LdPride 2008). While the Kolb Cycle indicated my reflective observation approach, the Honey & Mumford Cycle as depicted in Fig. 2 situated me on the Pragmatist end of the spectrum. This indicates that I actively apply the knowledge I have gained. It also says that I dissatisfied with long discussions. When I reflect on this I can see ways this is indicative of my personality, as I prefer to become actively engaged in a subject rather than digressing on it. I understand others may prefer verbal means of explication and if I am to develop my skills as a business man, as well as in management, I will have to remain accepting and open to forms of knowledge processing that incorporate long discussions and other elements along the Kolb Cycle. It seems that the two scales differ slightly in the methods of testing and while I attain much of my knowledge through reflective observation, I also implement that knowledge in pragmatic ways. I believe these are essential traits for a potential businessman to possess and will benefit me greatly as I leave school and attempt to establish my own business. Fig. 2 Honey & Mumford Finally, I considered the Gardner multiple intelligence theory (Gardner 2004) and attempted to situate myself along his spectrum. I completed a questionnaire that situated me along the logical-mathematical section. This was not surprising as I have also found myself to be more apt at mathematical and quantitative approaches to topics than I am to lectures or visual aids. I realize this is important self-knowledge to possess as I attempt to further educate myself. I can apply these findings to learn more rapidly through means that are conducive to my cognitive functioning. I can also work towards developing intelligences in fields I am currently deficient in, as this will ultimately make me a higher functioning human being and a more effective business person. II. Company I Wish to Start The company I wish to start is an independent Commercial and Residential Real Estate Company. As a foreign student, originally from Saudi Arabia, I would like to incorporate some of the concepts and business models I have been exposed to in the United Kingdom and adapt them to better accommodate the Saudi Arabian population. As a student I have been struck by the all inclusive rental property that surrounds campuses and Universities. These apartment complexes offer students included amenities ranging from complete internet and cable services, to exercise and tanning equipment. My company will incorporate these features and include cutting edge development and safety and an upbeat and positive environment for all tenants. Currently, my family owns a small amount of residential property that I will incorporate as the foundation for my company. The main course of action will be to locate and purchase or develop buildings that can be converted into marketable rental property. This will be aided by significant demographic research into the areas and their surrounding populations. Further statistical research will be conducted to determine the wants and needs of community members. Once the properties have been identified, they will be redesigned to reflect contemporary standards and amenities. The demographic and statistical research will be compiled for each area and the properties will be outfitted with the desirable traits, such as internet, cable, and exercise equipment. The units will receive an updated décor and outfitted with the newest in safety features, including gated entry, security cameras, on-site technical assistance, and alarm systems. Later expansions in the area of pools, spas, and Jacuzzis will be considered in a second stage of development. The experience I have gained as a resident in an apartment complex, as well as the inside knowledge into the process of property development will be invaluable resources and skills for when I begin this Real Estate business. I possess considerable communication skills that will allow me to succeed in many aspects of the process. I will be able to negotiate favorable prices for property and land, and I will be able to negotiate reasonable rates for the amenities that will be included in the properties. I will also be able to meet with potential managers and effectively distribute labor among a number of people. I am aware of and attuned to features of properties that distinguish them from less desirable properties and have cultivated an interest in this topic. This will give me an advantage over competitors who are stuck in traditional ways of thinking. I also have developed a taste in art and interior design and will be able to implement these interests when deciding on room specifications and décor, as these are crucial to the success of leasing residential property. I am also skilled with technology. I believe this will give me a sizeable advantage over competition that hasn’t embraced the changing world. My knowledge of web programming and design will allow me to work effectively with computer programmers to develop a cutting-edge internet marketing campaign that will attract new clients. It will also help me in developing a website to promote the units and the greater business in general. My experience studying abroad has also expanded my horizons. The experience has given me a greater understanding of the human condition and also allowed me to witness different business practices in action. Possessing this multi-cultural perspective will allow me to better relate to my potential customers. It also will make me a more effective businessman as I have been exposed to wider-array of business practices and will be able to incorporate them into my Real Estate model. Ultimately, I possess the skills to oversee nearly all aspects of the business, from development to management. I will be able to use my technological skills to conduct statistical research and internet marketing; I will incorporate my communication and managerial ability into dividing labor among groups of people; and I will incorporate my multi-cultural perspective to guarantee my clients and my business cutting-edge amenities. III. Skills to Develop While I believe I have many skills that will contribute to my success as a businessman, I realize that there are many areas I need to develop and turn into strengths. After completing the SWOT Analysis, and investigating my learning style, I have come to realize that to successfully carry my career plans to fruition I will need to become a more effective leader and manager of people. Fig. 3 depicts a SMART Action Plan I completed to help me achieve this goal: Specific - What is the specific task? Improve managerial capabilities Measurable - What are the standards or parameters? Expand my managerial and verbal skills to pragmatically relate to and manage a diverse range of people. Achievable - Is the task feasible? Yes, the task is achievable through careful self-examination and research. Realistic - Are sufficient resources available? Yes, sufficient resources are available. Time-Bound - What are the start and end dates? Upon graduating from college. SMART objective: Improve management capabilities. Fig. 3 SMART Action Plan Another significant concern I have about my future business will be to develop the necessary funding and support to expand and take full-advantage of the business model. While I have a small amount of start-up funds from my family, I realize it will be necessary to cultivate a number of business contacts and investors. Not only will this require increased leadership capabilities, but it will require that I develop necessary skills in advertising and marketing so that I can present my ideas fluidly and effectively. It is necessary that I improve my technical proficiency in design so that I can construct visually appealing and persuasive presentations that will motivate investors to contribute money to my projects. I will also have to work towards developing contacts and remaining in-touch with them throughout my career. I believe this can begin in college, but also must be extended into my personal life, so that ultimately I must restructure my hobbies and interests to meet and develop important relationships that can potentially improve my business. I also realize I am deficient in other areas that must be addressed in order to increase my business effectivity. Outside of increased managerial experience, I realize to effectively oversee all aspects of my business it is necessary that I gain a large amount of specified knowledge in a number of fields, including architecture, interior design, construction, statistical research, and law. While I believe my reflective observational skills will aid me greatly in these pursuits, I am aware that to effectively process such information I will need to improve my reading comprehension skills so that I can become a more effective lifelong learner. One of my primary means of improving my skills and developing my weaknesses into strengths is through attending college. With increased competition for jobs in contemporary society the importance of attaining a college degree has become increasingly clear. If people hope to attain these jobs, or further career advancement a college degree is essential. Statistical research also demonstrates that a person who goes to college usually earns more than a person who doesn’t, as median earnings for full-time workers more than 25 years old increased by over $20,000 for people who have college degrees vs. those who only have a high school diploma (Census 2006). Considering these facts, the necessity for students to stay in and graduate from college is imperative. Even with statistical research clearly demonstrating the need for students to stay in and graduate from college, the opportunity for increased quality of life cannot be underestimated. In my own life, I can see the challenges my father has faced. Since he lacked a college degree his career options were limited and needed to work many labor intensive jobs, including construction, to become financially established. His situation can be contrasted with that of my mother who attained a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She was able to attain a position as a teacher and make a comparable salary to my father with less and arguably more rewarding work. While a college degree clearly offers increased career and salary options, it also is a chance to achieve personal betterment. Through the college experience I will gain knowledge about the world that can help them find greater appreciation in life. The opportunity to be exposed to and learn about unique cultures makes one more open-minded and accepting of different people and ideas. I think the experience of working in groups allows me to strengthen interpersonal skills and become a more productive and efficient employee when I ultimately graduate and develop my business. I hope that my University experience will challenge me to develop greater time management skills and learn better ways to balance my priorities. I hope that my University experience will help me strengthen my writing and analytical skills. I also believe that there is an important social realm to obtaining a University degree. While it’s absolutely necessary to have a degree to attain many jobs, the accomplishment of being accepted to college, attending classes, and successfully completing a University degree is a great personal accomplishment that will bring me confidence. IV. Personal Reflection When considering my career goals I am aware of the difficulty they present. I believe in part the challenging of taking on such a large task and seeing it through is what has drawn me towards a career in business and has inspired me to strive towards self-employment. I realize to have a successful business requires complete dedication and a passion and commitment for the enterprise that will motivate you to contribute yourself completely to the project. I believe I possess these traits and am inspired to improve my weaknesses so that I can ensure success. In my life I have always enjoyed taking on large tasks and seeing them through to the end. It has become in many ways a meaning for my existence -- conquering the challenge of the impossible. I’m inspired by people such as Bill Gates and Donald Trump who combine a tireless work effort with ingenuity and passion for their businesses. I realize to be successful in business, it will be necessary for me to become driven in much the same way, though not on the same financial scale. I believe that for a business to succeed it’s important that you’re passion and commitment to it remains genuine and that you are not motivated solely by money. I think customers are drawn to businessmen that take personal interests in their products and services and go beyond merely financial concerns in ensuring what is truly the bottom line. I hope that through my business I can ultimately achieve my goals and my success will be measured by the contribution I made to society, not the money I accumulated. One of the main changes I have experienced over the last three months concerns my reason for learning. Lately, I’ve began to think that education is more than just for finding a good job and that it can be for personal development. By extending my knowledge of various cultures, people, and ideas I can become a more interesting and thoughtful person. I think a student taking a course should have more vested in it than getting a science credit out-of-the-way. I’ve begun to view education more in terms of wisdom and culture and realize and am now more excited about the opportunity to learn more about the world and deepen my critical thinking skills. In high school I went through my classes because they were required and I never gave much critical thinking to the purpose of learning, or how it can influence my thoughts and the way I see the world. I now think it’s important to not only learn what you’re told, but to learn to question these things. I’ve also learned the importance of individual study and reflection. Even though there was homework in high school the vast majority of learning took place within the classroom. The actual amount of hours spent in school was significantly more and it seemed that a certain amount of assignments existed merely to manage the class and make sure everybody stayed busy and didn’t misbehave. At University, a much greater amount of time is spent outside of class studying and a great amount of responsibility is placed on the student to ensure that they are grasping the material and advancing their intellectual capabilities. The classroom setting at University is more of a place of reflection, where I can compare what I learned with other students in a collaborative atmosphere. At University I find that the professors are generally more committed to their subject than typical high school teachers, and the lecture format is generally more informative than the typical high school lesson. While I had a number of excellent teachers and courses in high school, too often I found that teachers were concerned with keeping students busy rather than challenging their intellectual capacities. I also appreciate the University environment, which allows for more liberal perspectives and unique perspectives. I now see education as a chance to expand my horizons, become exposed to new ideas, and see the world in novel and interesting ways. References Census 2006: Preliminary Report" (PDF). CSO. July 2006. http://www.cso.ie/census/documents/2006PreliminaryReport.pdf. Retrieved 2009-12-20 Emerson, Ralph Waldo. The Complete Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Ed. Edward Waldo Emerson. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1973. LdPride. (n.d.). What are learning styles? Retrieved October 17, 2008 Gardner, H. (2004) Changing minds: The art and science of changing our own and other peoples minds. Boston: Harvard Business School Press Honey, P & Mumford, A, (1983). Using Your Learning Styles. Maidenhead, UK, Peter Honey Publications. Kolb, David (1984). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. Rorty, Richard (2007). Philosophy as Cultural Politics: Philosophical Papers IV. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Read More