Management Skills Learning and Development - Essay Example

Name: Institution: Course Title: Course Lecturer: Date of Submission: Executive Summary Career goal represents what an individual seeks to achieve in his career. Ball (1997) asserts that, it can range from a specific objective in terms of work accomplishment or to work in a particular field of interest. Irrespective of one’s career goals it is important to ensure that the goal is realistic and attainable within a specified time frame. This reports looks into a number of aspects in relation to my career choice and goals. It explores my future career requirements by looking into my career goals and skills whereby, it explains my current situation by reflecting on my past experience and what I would wish to achieve in the next three to five years in my career. It also looks into my skill sets and how this would contribute towards the achievement of my career goals. The report also assesses my personal management strengths and weaknesses and how they would affect my management skills towards realization of my career goals. It summarizes by looking into my learning ways and action plan by exploring the ways through which I can develop and improve my career goals by highlighting a set of action plans to counter my weaknesses. Introduction It is important for people to have in place career goals that they intend to achieve at some particular points in their careers. These goals act as a motivating factor to an individual as they work towards achieving them. It is advisable to set career goals that are a bit challenging but again they should be realistic and attainable. An individual’s goals may change throughout his career as it progresses, hence its important to keep track of the achievements that one has already attained. One should also endeavor to overcome all barriers that hinder achieving his set goals by fostering ways through which to improve and turn his or her weaknesses into strengths. Attaining the set goals reflects progress in an individual’s career, hence underlying the importance of having in place career goals (Ball, 1997). Career Goals and Career Opportunities Currently, i am an undergraduate student at a university in Australia; it has always been my dream since i was young to go to a university where i would enhance my education and knowledge about varying matters of the day to day life and also get myself a gateway to a better life later. Devol et al (2013) suggests that this is attributable to the changes in the modern work environment whereby, organizations are seeking to have in place a competent workforce that can contribute significantly to a greater future and attainment of the organization’s strategic goals. This has led to many employers seeking individuals with a degree in various disciplines in addition to other attributes that would add positively to their organizations. My university experience has been wonderful in that, apart from learning in classrooms about a wide array of topics, i have also been able to advance my skills in other aspects of life that would be beneficial in my career. In the next three to five years after completing my graduate program, i would like to be part of an industry where i would apply my knowledge and skills that i have acquired through out my life and in university effectively, for my own benefit and that of my employer. In this regard, i aspire to work and add value in a dynamic and challenging environment in future, especially one geared towards finance and marketing. There are many opportunities that would enhance my career goal since the industry is large and has been opened up by the ongoing globalization of businesses. This can be through internships, part time employment or volunteering in industries of my interest where i would acquire the needed experience to enable me contributes positively in any organization thereby implementing my career goals (Grubb, 2005). About Myself I am self-motivated and focused towards achieving the set goals. This is in addition to being a team player and establishing good working relationships with people from different cultural backgrounds and demographics. I have been able to acquire these skills from group work assignments at the university. With the student population comprised of students from differing backgrounds, most groups comprise of diverse cultures (Gavan, 2007). This has helped me a great deal in establishing good relations with them and learning how to work in harmony and as a team to achieve the set targets. I am also able to work under minimum supervision and tight deadlines, results oriented and persistent in following instructions. Through research and discussions with my colleagues, I have been able to enhance my time management skills which enable me to plan effectively so as to finish tasks within the stipulated time deadlines. This has been enhanced by the continuous assignments in varying disciplines which tend to have set deadlines to complete. This has improved my ability to meet deadlines and also follow instructions under minimum or no supervision since no one is there to push or instruct me to finish a particular task or assignment. With aspirations to work in a finance or marketing field, I believe these attributes are very essential to effectively perform the duties assigned to me. This is because there will be need to communicate effectively and in a convincing manner to clients. On the other hand, most organizations are comprised of individuals from different cultural backgrounds. This has been brought about by the nature of business in the modern day that is embracing globalization each and every day. According to Yemm (2013), this therefore, requires the ability to establish good working relationships with people from diverse back grounds at all times. This is in addition to being a team player and knowing how to work in harmony amid differences with others so as to complete a specific task or the set goals. Current Skills Inventory According to Ibarra (2003), in developing a proper career goal, an individual should first assess his or her personal characteristics with regard to his skills, interests, strengths and weaknesses. With a clear understanding of these aspects, one is then able to match them to a particular job. My strengths and weaknesses are as indicated below. Strengths Ability to work in teams and relate well with people from diverse backgrounds; this has enabled me to have a good interrelationship with the faculty and other students at large. This gives me another forum for learning more and improving the career goals i have through holding discussions with lecturers and colleagues or guests. The university is also always inviting inspirational speakers from varying corporate backgrounds to mentor us by feeding us with the most needed knowledge regarding the different career environments and requirements. Through this platform, I can be able to enhance my skills that would make it easy for me to achieve my career goals. This is as noted by Susan et al (2008) that, to determine one’s career goals, it is important to link an individual’s self knowledge, experiences and his vision for the future. It is only an individual who can shape his or her own career growth plan. This is because it is the interested party only who knows the career or job environment that interests them. However, it is highly recommended for one to seek advice from people with the relevant experience and knowledge (Law and Watt (1977). There is a wide array of professionals and other parties of interest from whom I can gain the relevant and important information. This would enhance the realization of my career goal in that, I will learn about the qualities and skills employers seek for as well as how to gain those qualities that are lacking. Some of these skills such interpersonal and leadership skills can be garnered through volunteering and being involved actively in extracurricular activities (Grubb, 2005). Weaknesses Three major weaknesses that could derail the achievement of my career goals are; Lack of awareness. This has largely been brought forward by lack of adequate information with regard to varying career choices leading to a restricted choice which tends to limit the career goals set. Lack of practical experience; this is another weakness in that, i do not have any practical work experience. According to Strenger (2008), most employers in the modern day are looking to add competent individuals in their organizations; however, work experience would give me an added advantage hence making my resume or profile more appealing. Without experience, it is hard to implement the career goals as i do not know the nature of the work setting through which I need to achieve these goals. Lack of proper self marketing skills to implement my career goals; To be able to implement my career goals, I need to be in a work setting that provides the best avenue towards attaining these goals. However, lack of proper self marketing skills may be a limiting factor towards accessing this avenue. Most employers get the impression of a job applicant just by looking at their resume and application letter. It is therefore important to have in place adequate self marketing skills that would appeal to employers on first impression (Sheldon & Elliot, 1999). Without the proper and adequate self-marketing skills, it will be hard to appeal to the best employers who would avail the best foundation for attaining my career goals. Learning goals & action plans Skill area; improving self awareness; By improving self awareness, I will be able to look at career choices and goals from different perspectives as well as look into details, the career goals I have set. Smart goal; To improve my self awareness by focusing on factors that can attribute positively to this within the next year; Through this, I will be able to look at my career goals and choices from different perspectives which can be achieved through close interaction with people with knowledge and experience in this field (Mager, 1997). There is a diverse pool of professionals and other parties of interest from whom i can gain the relevant and important information to help improve my self awareness. This would enhance the realization of my career goal in that, I will learn about the qualities and skills employers seek for as well as how to gain those qualities that are lacking. Some of these skills such interpersonal and leadership skills can be garnered through volunteering and being involved actively in extracurricular activities Action plans Career counseling will be of essence to evaluate the varying life and career goals. This is because I will be able to acquire important and relevant guidance towards the achievement of my career goals. To improve self awareness, I will also need to collect adequate information regarding varying career fields. This information will be gathered through reading; however, interacting with a professional in my field of interest is paramount to offering an insight and more detailed information regarding the career and its setting. I will also need to enhance my knowledge about the qualities and attributes which employers value most in addition to attaining practical experience that would enable me to assess the goals set and their authenticity. I will need to foster innovation and continuous improvement so as to enhance my self awareness at all times. Evaluation of the matters that affect my self awareness and noting down the most important and relevant points that would make a difference or positive impact if acted upon. Skill area: practical experience Broad goal; to acquire practical work experience which will enhance my job skills as well as expose me to the career setting; It will also improve my skills and give me a chance to apply what I have learned in my career. This is as noted by Susan et al (2008) that, After acquiring all the relevant information and having in place well guided career goals, it is important to start looking for ways through which to gain exposure and relevant experience on the individual’s career option towards achievement of the set goals. It is also attributable to the fact that most employers in the modern day are looking to add to their pool experience by considering experience in addition to an individual’s academic qualifications (Marginson, 2000). Smart Goal; to be able to improve my skills and knowledge by gaining practical experience, through exposure to a real work environment within the next one year. Through this, I should be able to handle my career choice related work with ease. This will be achieved through placement either on part-time or voluntary basis. This can also be achieved through job shadowing, part-time work and through internships related to the career path of interest. Relevant and useful experience can also be gained through attending career fairs, industry panels and company information sessions. Action plan To become active in extra curricular activities and voluntary services that will enhance my interpersonal and team work skills. To obtain actual work experience through internships, part time work or summer jobs. Develop and enhance my appreciation to diversity through involvement in cultural practices and events in campus or learning about other cultural back grounds. Recording my achievements and what I have accomplished with regard to improving my work experience. Research widely on the field of interest to add to my knowledge of the relevant and important requirements that can make develop my career more easily and quickly to help realize my career goals. Attend seminars and corporate workshops that would give me an opportunity to interact with individuals who operate and have vast experience in my field of interest. Skill area: Self- marketing skills Broad goal: To have in place proper self marketing skills that would enable me market my self competitively in order to attain an appropriate platform that would assist me in implementing my career goals. Smart goal; to improve my profile by adapting appropriate marketing skills that would avail me an opportunity to implement my career goals by the time i finish my studies. This will be achieved by ensuring that my resume is up to date with hands on experience and any other skills that would be relevant or offer an added advantage in the employer’s eyes. According to Marginson (2000), some of the most looked for qualities are excellent communication skills, honesty, teamwork, interpersonal skills, leadership skills, ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds, experience and work ethics. It is therefore important to acquire these qualities and experiences that appeal to most available opportunities in the job market. Action plan To be actively involved in resume writing, interviewing and job search strategy workshops. These will be helpful to advance my resume writing skills hence making it more appealing to the employers. Network with other students and alumni to gather important information that would enhance my self-marketing skills and give me an added advantage. Carry out extensive research through reading and carrying out research through online platforms on the best ways to develop and improve my self marketing skills that would be valuable to implementing my career goals. To take advantage of on-campus interviews and career and graduate school fairs. To seek the advice of a professional counselor to help me in designing a job search plan in addition to any other important information with regard to enhancing my self-marketing skills. To take up an internship preparation or job search course that would help improve my skills in job searching and self-marketing. Conclusion Careers are diverse and they tend to differ from each other by their nature and their setting. However, each career should be guided by a set of goals that one should be endeavoring to attain. To attain the goals set, one should have in place a set of skills and qualities that are key to achieving the goals as noted by Susan et al (2008). It is therefore important for an individual to work towards attaining the skills and qualities required in varying career choices so as to attain their desired goals. This can be achieved through a number of ways which include; gathering information by carrying out research, extensive reading and discussions with colleagues, seeking advice from professionals, internships, voluntary work and part time employment among others. Once armed with these skills, it is also important for an individual to acquire the essential skills for self marketing so as to have a decent avenue for attaining the set goals by enhancing one’s appeal in the eyes of the employers. References Ball, B. 1997. Career management competences – the individual perspective. Career Development International 2 (2): 74–79. DeVol, R., Shen, I., Bedroussian, A., & Zhang, N. 2013. A Matter of Degrees: The Effect of Educational Attainment on Regional Economic Prosperity Gavan, B. 2007. Higher Education: its evolution and present trend. Journal of Australian Political Economy, Vol.60 pages 28-53. Grubb, W.N., Lazerson, M. 2005. Vocationalism in Higher Education: The Triumph of the Education Gospel. The Journal of Higher Education 76: 1 Ibarra, H. 2003. Working identity: unconventional strategies for reinventing your career. Harvard Business Press. Law, B. & Watts, A.G. 1977. Schools, Careers and Community: a Study of Some Approaches to Careers Education in Schools. London: Church Information Office Mager, R. 1997. Goal analysis: how to clarify your goals so you can actually achieve them (3rd ed.). Atlanta, GA: Center for Effective Performance. Marginson, B. 2000. Rethinking academic work in the global era. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, Vol 22 (1), p. 1-12. Susan, B., Wilson, M. & Dobson, P. 2008. Goal Setting: How to Create an Action Plan and Achieve Your Goals (Second ed.). pp. 3–21 Strenger, C. 2008. The Existential Necessity of Midlife Change. Harvard Business Review. February 2008: 82–90. Sheldon, K. & Eliott, A. 1999. Goal striving, need satisfaction and longitudinal well-being: the self-concordance model (PDF). Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 76 (3): 482–497 Yemm, G. 2013. Essential Guide to Leading Your Team : How to Set Goals, Measure Performance and Reward Talent. Pearson Education. pp. 37–39. Read More