Pursuing Career of Choice versus Advice - Essay Example

Rickey L. Shankles English 100 62048 Pursuing Career of Choice versus Advice In this encounter, I must to convince Mr. Les Sakuma, the Vocal Rehabilitation Officer at the US Department of Veterans Affairs that a career in Forensic Photography is a viable option here in Hawai‘i. Mr. Sakuma should approve the training program which would allow me to pursue a degree in Forensic Science, a degree with ample employment opportunities, is offered as a degree at Charminade University and where I am convinced that my potentials would be maximized in this career. Over the past few months Les and I have disagreed about which degree that I should pursue, in this respect I have found that the skill of negotiating can be developed through constant practice, direct personal experiences and that individuals use different negotiation styles. These differences in negotiation styles depend upon the individual’s personality and the situation which include the objectives for negotiating. Conflict arises when the interests of people do not coincide. Since each individual is unique in his own way, the potential for conflict in human interactions is high. For instance, people perceive the same things differently. They may, likewise, disagree about how things are and how they should be. Sometimes, simple misunderstandings can lead to major disputes. As a military veteran scholar, I have regularly communicated with Mr. Les Sakuma. Upon Mr. Sakuma’s advice, I should pursue a degree in Business Management or Computer Science, of which I have already had brief and uninteresting careers in both of the fields. I would like to pursue something that I am actually enthusiastic in doing, rather that something I am forced to do. Mr. Les Sakuma has worked with the Veterans Affairs for more than 30 years. He is very hardworking, diligent and determined to work for the accomplishment of the Veteran’s mission and goals. Mr. Sakuma plainly states that since the Veteran’s Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation Program is paying for me to get educated in order to obtain gainful employment; he would not approve the forensic field of study. I am firm to convince him otherwise. Mr. Les Sakuma advised me to pursue a degree in Business Management or Computer Science because of my past experiences. He believes I would be successful in either of these endeavors. Furthermore, he feels that my physical disability would not be greatly challenged by delving into any of these careers. He is also unaware that a career in Forensic Photography is a viable option in Hawaii, where I am currently based. With these arguments in mind, I need to focus on Mr. Sakuma’s role as the Vocal Rehabilitation Officer at Veterans Affairs. I am aware that by citing relevant portions of the organization’s mission and vision, I can work on convincing him that my counterarguments would not be contrary to the organization’s goals. First and foremost, as an officer of the Veterans Affairs, one of the responsibilities of Mr. Sakuma is to adhere to the organization’s vision. I will emphasize that the vision of Veterans Affairs is “to provide veterans the world-class benefits and services they have earned – and to do so by adhering to the highest standards of compassion, commitment, excellence, professionalism, integrity, accountability, and stewardship”(US Department Veterans Affairs: Mission, Vision, Core Values & Goals 2). As a veteran, I am in full control of my own philosophy, conviction, interests and goals in life. I am the only one who knows exactly what I want, where I will excel, what dreams would I pursue and what goals do I intend to achieve. It is really not merely an issue of what I am good at. It is more of what I genuinely, would like to commit myself to in order to make it an endeavor for the rest of my life. By being a veteran, I have earned to be provided with this world-class benefit I desire. Secondly, my physical disability is not a hindrance in achieving my long term goals. There have been innumerable stories boasting of people achieving whatever they want – despite any disability. From among the famous people known to have disabilities but succeeded in their respective endeavors were Franklin D. Roosevelt (had polio but was elected President of the United States); Ludwig Van Beethoven (deaf but was a famous musician); and Stephen Hawkins (Lou Gehrig’s Disease and was confined in a wheelchair but was a famous mathematician and physicist), among a lot more. This is due to the determination to succeed that is in the hearts and minds of people. No hindrance or barrier can make my dreams impossible to come true. Finally, forensic sciences are offered in Chaminade University of Honolulu. Chaminade University offers the various disciplines available for prospective students interested to delve in Forensic Sciences. The university detailed the following sub-disciplines, “Forensic Anthropology, Forensic Entomology, Forensic Engineering, Forensic Photography, Drug Chemistry, DNA Analysis, Fingerprint Analysis, Questioned Documents, Ballistics, Firearms Examination, Tool Mark Examination, Computer Fraud, and Cyber Crime” (Charminade University, Internships & Careers 1). Since these courses are available here, I do not see any problems in according me with the opportunity to enroll in a course in Forensic Science. The Veterans Affairs need not entail additional costs due to the proximity of the educational institution to my residence and the availability of the course I am truly interested in pursuing. Mr. Sakuma could possibly argue that there are limited employment possibilities under the forensic sciences field compared to the business management or computer science degrees. I can immediately respond that my career paper on crime scene photography provided me with the privilege to research on the area. There are more than eighty different careers available under forensic science with a few of them detailed to wit: “accident reconstruction specialist; crime scene investigator; fingerprint technician; forensic audio examiner; forensic botanist; forensic odontologist; forensic psychiatrist; forensic surveyor; and, more” (Echaore-McDavid & McDavid n.p.). With other alternative options available, a crime scene photographer is privileged to change his or her career path in over eighty different directions. In this regard, gaining employment in this field is comparable with those from the fields proposed by Mr. Sakuma. Finally, being aware of Mr. Sakuma’s leadership style, I would engage him in a participative and collaborative negotiation strategy. By laying down the cards, I would be totally honest in my intentions and interest in pursuing a career in Forensic Photography. Since all the arguments seem to be appropriately addressed and are consistent with the Veterans Affairs’ vision and philosophy, I actually see no other reasons why Mr. Sakuma could disagree with my proposal. A career in forensic photography is offered in Chaminade University of Honolulu, where I currently reside. Consistent with Veteran Affairs’ Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment’s philosophy and as a veteran, I am “both eligible and entitled. The outcome of these services [would] lead to suitable employment that is consistent with [my] aptitudes and interests, or achieving independence in [my] daily living” (US Department Veterans Affairs: Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service 4). My physical disability is not a hindrance to pursuing this career. Neither is it a barrier to gaining the employment opportunity available with the course. In this regard, Mr. Sakuma should approve the training program that would allow me to pursue a degree in Forensic Science where I am convinced that my potentials would be maximized and where I would be most productive with. Works Cited Chaminade University of Honolulu. Internships & Careers. 2009. Web. 28 Oct. 2009. Echaore-McDavid, Susan & McDavid, Richard A. Career Opportunities in Forensic Science. Ferguson Publishing Company; 1 edition. April 30, 2008. Print. US Department of Veterans Affairs. “Education Benefits.” 27 Oct. 2009. Web. 28 Oct. 2009. Workman, Daniel. Japanese Culture Leadership Style: Participative Leaders in Japan Exemplify Theory Z Managers. 9 Apr. 2008. Web. 02 Nov. 2009. Read More