Career Choices - Report Example

O P E N O P T I O N S Career Counseling Firm A Report on Two Fulfilling Careers: Human Resource Management & Teaching Table of Contents I. Introduction…………………………………………………………………………….2 II. Purpose………………………………………………………………………………..2 III. Scope and Limitations………………………………………………………………2 IV. Sources and Methods………………………………………………………………3 V. Report Organization…………………………………………………………………3 VI. Career Choices……………………………………………………………………..3 A. Human Resources Manager………………………………………………..4 1. Job description/ nature of work………………………………………..4 2. Working conditions……………………………………………………...4 3. Educational background………………………………………………..5 4. Salary……………………………………………………………………..5 5. Career advancement opportunities……………………………………5 B. Teacher ……………………………………………………………………….6 1. Job description/ nature of work ……………………………………….6 2. Working conditions………………………………………………………7 3. Educational background………………………………………………..8 4. Salary……………………………………………………………………..8 5. Career advancement opportunities……………………………………9 VII. Recommendation………………………………………………………………….10 VIII. References…………………………………………………………………………10 Introduction Choosing a career involves consideration of many factors both internal and external to the individual. One needs to introspect to determine where his true passion lies – be it providing service to others, expressing oneself through art, coaching others to optimize their potentials, etc. It also takes assessing one’s talents, skills and propensity towards a certain calling. Externally, one needs to evaluate the kind of work conditions, environment and compensation which he will have to live with in carrying out his tasks on the job. He will also have to look into possible directions of his career path. Purpose This proposal aims to help the client decide on the career best suited to him. Based on his preferences, the possibilities of a career in Human Resources or Teaching shall be presented to enable the client to choose which among the two fulfilling careers he would opt to pursue. Scope & Limitations This proposal covers a thorough discussion of the Human Resource Management and Teaching professions. It would delve into necessary information such as the nature of work, work conditions, the educational requirements, compensation and possible career advancement opportunities in both professions. It is limited to discussing only the two aforementioned careers, as these are the options short-listed by the client. Sources and Methods Information provided in this report is based on research on available literature on both careers as well as interviews from practicing professionals on their work experiences. Such information is organized to present relevant areas that will aid the client in reaching a wise decision regarding his choice of a career. Report Organization This report shall discuss the following areas to consider in the client’s choice of a career: Job description/ nature of work Working conditions Educational background Salary Career advancement opportunities Career Choices Based on the client’s interview, his career choices have been narrowed down to the two strongest match to his skills, personality and values. A career in both Human Resource management and Teaching entails working with people all the time. The client has expressed his interest in people-oriented jobs, as he feels he is gifted with relating to others. What follows is a thorough report on each profession so that the client sees the whole picture for each. A. Human Resources Manager A career in Human Resources involves matching people to employment that they are most suited for. This profession is central to the lifeblood of most businesses as they are in charge of the greatest asset companies could ever have… their manpower. 1. Job description/ nature of work Jobs in Human Resources ranges from handling employee benefits, questions and recruiting, interviewing and hiring new personnel to helping out in strategic planning at top executive levels. They have a say in the creation of policies, and subsequently aid the financial success of their companies. In handling a people-oriented work, human resource workers help in raising employee self-esteem and increasing the morale and output of the firm. They create and provide training programs to enrich and refine the skills and augment employees contentment with their tasks and working environment. 2. Working conditions Working in the Human Resources division of an organization may be a highly rewarding career as long as the worker is able to come up with the personal qualities or skills demanded of him. Typically like the nature of an office job, human resource workers freely walk around the office ensuring that all the employees are doing their jobs well at the same time maximizing their own potentials. It pays well and is best suited to people with an extrovert personality. 3. Educational background A Bachelor’s Degree is necessary for a Human Resources posting. Many colleges and universities offer programs leading to a degree in Human Resources. Other departments such as in Business Administration, Education, Instructional Technology, Organizational Development, Human Services, Communication or Public Administration may contain courses that lead to a career in Human Resources management. Because interdisciplinary knowledge is necessary in this field, human resources specialists should be skilled in compensation, recruitment, training and development and performance appraisal. They should likewise be good at principles of management, organizational structure and industrial Psychology. 4. Salary As of February, 2008, The median expected salary for a typical Human Resources Manager in the United States is $78,037. The bottom 25 per cent earns $66,141 and the top 25 per cent earns $92,839 (Salarywizard, 2008) 5. Career advancement opportunities “A career in Human Resources is highly rewarding as long as the prospective job seeker is able to supply the personal qualities or skills demanded of him.” (Moongrave, 2006). Within the field, a human resources worker can go up the corporate ladder stepping on different rungs of a human resource position that entails a broadening scope of responsibilities. This is so because human resources have many changing needs that evolve through the years, thus needing to create more and more positions to serve such needs. B. Teacher Known as the noblest profession, teaching has been around from time immemorial. A career in teaching involves many skills and talents necessary to handle the many-faceted tasks a teacher faces each day. Lucy Sprague Mitchell, a renowned educator was quoted to say: (as mentioned in Shalaway, 1997) “Teachers can have the satisfactions of both scientists and artists in their professional lives. They can have the scientific approach in teaching: careful observations of their children, which is gathering evidence; experimental attitude in planning programs for their children, which is testing their data; flexibility in changing plans according to their findings. Teachers can function as artists in building a curriculum. They can be creative, not slavishly bound to a pattern, in thinking and planning for and with their children.” -Lucy Sprague Mitchell, educator and author Our Children and Our Schools (Simon & Schuster, 1950) 1. Job description/ nature of work An experienced teacher interviewed on her job with very young children for the past twenty years thoroughly shared the nature of a teacher’s job. During the summer break, teachers already prepare for the year. They organize and decorate their classrooms in preparation for the students. They prepare lesson plans on various subject areas. During the school year, teachers implement their curriculum along with prepared teaching aids such as pictures, videos, games, etc. They utilize “props” or “manipulatives” to help children understand abstract concepts, solve problems, and develop critical thought processes. They make use of a variety of activities to stimulate learning and development. Teachers play a big role in developing a child’s way of thinking. Whatever children learn during their student life may shape their views of themselves and the world and can later affect their later success or failure in life. Teachers do a variety of tasks each day. “Teachers plan, evaluate and assign lessons, prepare, administer and grade tests; listen to oral presentations; and maintain classroom discipline. They observe and evaluate a student’s performance and potential and increasingly are asked to use new assessment methods. For example, teachers may examine a portfolio of a student’s artwork or writing in order to judge the student’s overall progress. They then can provide additional assistance in areas in which a student needs help. Teachers also grade papers, prepare report cards, and meet with parents and school staff to discuss a student’s academic progress or personal problems.” (Nashville Career Advancement Center, n.d.) In addition to facilitating classroom activities, teachers also supervise study halls and homerooms, extracurricular activities. They may identify students with physical or mental problems or those with special needs and do the necessary referrals to the proper authorities or experts. Teachers meet with parents to discuss the progress of their children in the school or work together to help the student with a particular concern. 2. Working conditions Most of the time, teachers work alone in their classrooms, isolated from their colleagues. Some schools require teachers to team-teach or work with mentors to enhance their professional development. Many full-time teachers work more than 40 hours a week. Most teachers work the usual 10-month school year with a 2-month vacation during the summer. In districts with a year-round schedule typically work for 8 weeks, go on a vacation break for 1 week and have a 5-week midwinter break. Most teachers are likewise off on school holidays. 3. Educational background Teachers should have at least a Bachelor’s Degree and have completed an approved teacher training program with a prescribed number of subject and education credits, as well as supervised practice teaching. “All 50 States and the District of Columbia require public school teachers to be licensed. Licensure is not required for teachers in private schools in most States. Usually licensure is granted by the State Board of Education or a licensure advisory committee. Teachers may be licensed to teach the early childhood grades (usually preschool through grade 3); the elementary grades (grades 1 through 6 or 8); the middle grades (grades 5 through 8); a secondary-education subject area (usually grades 7 through 12); or a special subject, such as reading or music (usually grades kindergarten through 12).” (Nashville Career Advancement Center, n.d.). Training and professional development is usually provided by the school either in-house or off-site. 4. Salary In 2004, median annual earnings of kindergarten, elementary, middle and secondary school teachers ranged from $41,400 to $45,920. The lowest 10 percent earned $26,730 to $31,180 while the top 10 percent earned $66,240 to $71,370. As of February, 2008, the median expected salary for a typical Academic - Instructor in the United States is $80,017. This basic market pricing report was prepared using Certified Compensation Professionals analysis of survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at employers of all sizes, industries and geographies. The lowest 25 percent earned $65,117 while the top 25 percent earned $98,000.00 (Salarywizard, 2008). Teachers can augment their income further coaching sports conducting private tutorial sessions and working with students in extracurricular activities. Getting a master’s degree or national certification often results in an increase in salary. Teaching summer school or performing other jobs in the school system may also be means of earning extra income. 5. Career advancement opportunities Teaching is a career that leads to a number of possible alternative careers. Some teachers do research work alongside their teaching duties. Others get to write books – from storybooks, to activity books to text books. Still other teachers come up with their own programs that they may offer as an after-school activity. Some teachers prefer to stay in the academe to pursue higher positions, not necessarily in teaching, mostly administrative posts. The myriad of career advancement opportunities are inherent in the teaching profession because so many skills are tapped – organizational, creative, research, writing, public speaking, and a whole lot more! That is why teachers do not stop growing and still continue to be productive long after they have retired from a teaching post. Recommendation Both career choices are ultimately fulfilling for a person whose passion is serving people. However, Open Options recommends to the client to choose Teaching, as its rewards are more in terms of building character in the client as well as in the students he will be teaching in the future. Teaching touches lives and the fulfillment one gains from it is enough compensation for the soul. This career is flexible enough to lead to other alternative careers in the future, as it equips the teacher with a myriad of skills he can use both in his personal and professional life. References Human Resource Management Guide (n.d.) “Career Choices in Human Resources” Retrieved on February 20, 2008 from http://www.allbusinessschools.com/faqs/hrmanagement.php?src=trl_abs Moongrave, R. (2006) Careers in Human Resources, Retrieved on February 20, 2008 from http://www.webpronews.com/expertarticles/2006/08/21/careers-in-human- resources Nashville Career Advancement Center (n.d.) Teaching as a Career. Retrieved on Feb. 20, 2008 from http://www.teachingasacareer.org/TeachingasaCareerHandbookinAdobe!.pdf Salarywizard (2008) Salary of Academic Insturctor, Retrieved on February 21, 2008 from http://hotjobs.salary.com/salarywizard/layoutscripts/swzl_compresult.asp?jobcode=ED03000025&jobaltername=Academic+%2D+Instructor&jobtitle=Academic+%2D+Instructor&narrowdesc=Education&narrowcode=ED01&zipcode=&metrocode=&statecode=&state=&pagenumber=1&searchpage=&searchtype=&titleSelect=yes&geo=U%2ES%2E+National+Averages Salarywizard (2008) Salary of Human Resource Manager, Retrieved on February 21, 2008 from http://hotjobs.salary.com/salarywizard/layoutscripts/swzl_compresult.asp?jobcode=HR09200032&jobaltername=Human+Resources+Manager&jobtitle=Human+Resources+Manager&narrowdesc=Human+Resources&narrowcode=HR01&zipcode=&metrocode=&statecode=&state=&pagenumber=1&searchpage=keywordtitleselect&searchtype=1&titleSelect=yes&geo=U%2ES%2E+National+Averages Shalaway, L. (1997) Learning to Teach, Scholastic Professional Books VA Comp Reform (2001) Resource Management Manual, Virginia Read More