Category: Career Goals

Dissecting Job Dissatisfaction: A Stark Reality

According to statistics from the Pew Research Center, 30 percent of Americans are not satisfied with their jobs. A national survey from the University of Phoenix suggests that the percentage of dissatisfied workers is significantly higher: 59 percent of working adults and 73 percent of professionals in their 30s are interested in changing careers. Whether it is 30, 59, or 73 percent, it matters. Millions of people who go to work every day do not like what they do, and it doesn’t seem right.

Career change is associated with myriad challenges: losing something already familiar, a lack of job security, the possibility of a significant drop in income, the task of explaining one’s decision, and fear of failure. In fact, those who take the leap and change professions find it a useful step in discovering their own contentment. This positive experience allows them not only to evolve but also to increase their emotional and mental health. No matter what profession a person has, research and countless anecdotal stories show that change can make a big difference in reaching job satisfaction.

Parental Influence: Guidance or Burden?

For younger people, parents are extremely influential when it comes to career choice. On one hand, this can have a positive effect, with the parent providing additional information and support to their child. However, there are definitely cases where parental influence acts as an across as a “pressurized demand for success.” In such cases, the child ends up following a career path more out of a sense of obligation than “true passion.” This environment creates a strong sense of guilt for the child if they don’t comply with the parent’s wishes and ultimately hurts them in career development since they cannot distinguish their own goals from their parent’s expectations and will not seek out a career that is suited to their own skills.

Salary-Centric Choices: Fulfillment vs Financials

Similarly, people tend to ignore their skills in pursuit of what they believe will prove a lucrative career, causing many people to turn to salary as their main reason for a job. Choosing a career with only salary in mind, however, is harmful. There is evidence that people who use their strengths in their work are “three times more likely to report having an excellent quality of life, six times more likely to be engaged at work, 8% more productive and 15% less likely to quit their jobs.” When money is at the center of someone’s career choice, personal skills, and emotional satisfaction are foregone in favor of financial stability.

Research done by the National Academy of Sciences showed that high-income jobs increase life evaluation but not emotional well-being. Life evaluation is how people see their life as a whole and is related more to income and education. However, things like health, loneliness, and caregiving are more tied to emotional health. The research concludes “that high income buys life satisfaction but not happiness.” Though “low income is associated with low emotional well-being,” in reality, pursuing a high-paying job solely for the salary will not provide happiness in the long run.

Mental Health: The Role of Job Satisfaction

When one chooses a career they aren’t suited for, they often find themselves frustrated with their work. Dissatisfaction with one’s job can lead to stress and anxiety at work, which impairs cognitive ability. There have been multiple studies that found a correlation between job satisfaction and level of stress, with higher productivity being linked to lower levels of stress. Clearly, choosing a career that will make one more satisfied is extremely beneficial to one’s mental health. University of South California’s Applied Psychology program claims that “Being happy at work and loving what you do is an overall productivity booster and enhances performance.

People who enjoy their jobs are more likely to be optimistic, motivated, learn faster, make fewer mistakes, and make better business decisions.” People working a job they hate have been found to have worse mental health than people who are unemployed, and work stress has been found to raise the risk of heart disease. Working a job you hate has significant negative impacts on your health, which begs the question, why do people choose to stay?

Mid-Career Pivots: Overcoming Deep-Rooted Stigmas

Though there is plenty of information that suggests a job that makes you happy is important to your well-being, many people struggle with making that step once they have already found themselves in a career. Career change comes with a stigma — many people believe they will receive lower pay or that they won’t be able to change jobs at all. Letting go of a job that has had a lot of time and effort put into it is extremely difficult.

Stephanie Taylor writes that “changed work tasks resulting from new information can trigger people’s hidden personal insecurities, such as fear of judgment or failure.” People are inclined to resist great change, as “previously successful outcomes” are associated with dopamine — the “chemical which causes a feeling of pleasure” being released in the brain. This biologically keeps many people from overcoming their personal barriers out of fear of disrupting their lives.

However, data shows that changing careers does not necessarily mean losing everything. People often assume that changing careers has a high risk of failure, but according to a study done by the American Institute for Economic Research (AIER), for people “after age 45, 82 percent of late-in-career changes were successful.” AIER also found that for 18 percent of career changes, “income stayed the same,” and half the time, there was an “increase in income.” Statistically, changing a career is beneficial for financial standing despite many people believing the contrary. The fear of great change is what truly stands in the way of people finding a new opportunity and leaving their comfort zone.

“Self-Efficacy” vs “Calling”: Defining Career Pillars

When it comes to figuring out the importance of personal goals and worth in a career, multiple studies have identified “self-efficacy” and “calling.” Self-efficacy refers to the belief in the ability to succeed and affects expectations and goals when it comes to a career. A calling, however, is more related to the urge to pursue a career that is important to fulfilling one’s personal happiness. A calling involves the meaningfulness one gets from a career, and the emotional interest one has in it. It is a more personal measurement. While “self-efficacy ultimately plays a stronger role in career-related goals,” a “calling relates to career interests.”

The two concepts are not only key to finding a job that creates long-term satisfaction and happiness but also prove that successful career choice comes from following one’s goals and emotional interests. By approaching a career as a calling, people are then motivated by a “sense of purpose,” which leads to “greater well-being and positive career development.” Career change, especially in pursuit of a calling, is a chance to re-evaluate one’s priorities, as well as start over with new motivations in a new environment that is better suited to one’s goals.

Career Changes: A Self-Discovery Journey

A change in occupation is not only an excellent means to reassess personal aspirations, but it is also a moment to examine one’s identity. Herminia Ibarra writes on the connection between identity and career, saying: “How do we work and rework our identities? By doing new things and meeting new people. By telling and re-telling our stories. And, of course, by taking the time that trial and error discovery requires.” Ibarra focuses on how one can learn from change and how self-discovery comes through this change. With career change comes a change in activity, community, and location. As Ibarra says: “making a major career change is not simply about picking up new technical skills and repackaging one’s image and resume.

It is also about finding people we want to emulate and places where we want to belong”. Career change affects all parts of one’s life, which is why it is so terrifying for most people. It is easy to imagine how, after a long period of time, a career chosen in the distant past can become restricting. Career change is an opportunity to work on identity and personal goals, especially if identity and goals have changed over time. In a calculated manner, it leads to satisfaction without hurting one’s resources.

Financial Strategy for Smooth Career Shifts

It is a common belief that transitioning into a new career will take a heavy toll on one’s finances, but with a carefully thought-out financial plan, this is not an issue. Changing careers takes time, and that time is necessary to begin an emergency fund in the case of carrying your own health insurance and paying for education.

Budgeting will be necessary, but financial aid may be available, along with grants and scholarships for education.7 By designing a blueprint and carefully planning out finances for several months, an individual can prevent being blindsided by changes in costs, insurance, and income. A change in career seems like a sudden fantasy, but it is a deliberate decision that often comes with careful planning and adjustment to a new life that requires new skills.

As the world around us changes, skills desired in a work environment begin to change as well. New work models will constantly rise up to adapt to changes in a political, social, and technological environment. It is necessary to adjust to future work, and a change in career is beneficial for new skill development.

An article by the World Economic Forum says: “If the half-life of a job skill is about five years (meaning that every five years, that skill is about half as valuable as it was before), you want to get ahead of that decline in value. Assess your own skills every two or three years and get started learning new skills sooner rather than later.” A change in career that has stagnated skill development can be necessary not only to remain competitive but also for constant evolution. While the idea of suddenly moving into a new environment that requires a different skill set seems daunting, confidence in one’s abilities can work wonders in planning for a career change.

It is key to remember that first and foremost, for a career change to be successful, one must be confident and have a positive outlook on their future. A study done by Sarah Archer and Julia Yates found that an increase in career confidence caused people to become clearer about their career direction and decision-making and become more engaged with their career change. By believing change was possible, people developed an optimistic outlook for their future and were able to develop plans, goals, and pathways. This readiness for change increased alongside their career confidence, which shows how essential a positive mindset is to begin a career change. The negative associations with career change create a negative mentality for the people considering it. That is why it is critical to be confident in one’s beliefs.

Success Stories: Inspiring Career Change Tales

Career change is an individual endeavor. Thus, self-confidence and optimistic thoughts are a necessity, as they help one think creatively and expansively about new career opportunities. Seeking out help to gain confidence in relation to changing a career, people can look to successful stories that can help them develop this essential positive outlook on their situation.

Career change is a stigmatized and rare occurrence. That is why it is important to look toward examples of people who took that risk to make a life-changing decision within their professional careers and succeeded. Carol Anguilla changed her career from a successful corporate attorney to an elementary school teacher. On why she made the career switch, she says: “I just got tired of pushing money around all day and started wanting to do something that makes a difference.” Anguilla abandoned a well-paying and prestigious career and instead focused on what brought her joy. After Columbine and other school shootings, Anguilla devoted herself to getting involved in school organizations and ultimately made the leap to an education career to make a difference.

In a similar way, Irene Krechetoff changed her career path from electronics manager to doctor. She wanted to dedicate her life to the medical field, a field where she could focus on care. On paths she could have taken from her old job, Krechetoff says: “They all seemed so uninspiring. I realized I did not want to devote my life to making more stuff that nobody needs”. It would have been easy for Krechetoff to pursue her career for money, though she would ultimately be unhappy with the work she was doing. By assessing her position in life and what her life goals were, Krechetoff overcame expectations and found a career that challenged and fulfilled her.

The unfortunate stigma around career change prevents most people from pursuing a new, stimulating experience. Career change is not something that needs to be associated with financial ruin and loss of stability. If more people become educated on the benefits of a career, change how it helps fulfill a calling, how it can re-evaluate one’s working identity, how it improves emotional health — it can remove the shame associated with it and push people to seek what gives them true contentment in life.

The new skills, perspectives, and experiences offered by a new career, especially at a midpoint in one’s life, are important to self-realization. As people grow older and get shaped by new experiences, it becomes imperative to re-evaluate their changes in interests and goals. New desires and expectations may require a new environment to truly explore one’s ambitions and, by extension, fulfillment of one’s own potential.

References

1. Pew Research Center. (2020). Job Satisfaction in America: Trends and Statistics.
2. University of Phoenix. (2021). National Survey on Job Dissatisfaction and Career Change. Phoenix, AZ: UoP Press.
3. National Academy of Sciences. (2019). High-income jobs and their impact on life evaluation and emotional well-being. Proceedings of the NAS.
4. University of South California. (2022). The Relationship Between Job Satisfaction and Mental Health. Los Angeles, CA: USC Applied Psychology Program.
5. Taylor, S. (2020). Navigating Career Transitions: The Psychological Impact of Changed Work Tasks. Journal of Career Development.
6. American Institute for Economic Research (AIER). (2022). Career Changes After Age 45: A Statistical Insight. Economic Perspectives.

Navigating Texas’ Licensing and Career Opportunities in the ER

My future success and development in meeting goals in my professional nursing career are important to know and understand as I transition from a student to a trained RN. I will be seeking employment in the state of Texas. A license in Texas is obtained from the Texas Board of Nursing, which sets forth the standards for becoming licensed. Among the licensure criteria, there are three major steps that a student must complete before becoming licensed, such as passing a criminal background check through the Department of Public Safety and the FBI, registering 30 days before graduation with Pearson Vue for the NCLEX and completing an affidavit of graduation from an approved nursing program in Texas.

I will be seeking employment in the Houston area in the Emergency Room (ER) Department. I have experience working in the ER for West Houston Medical Center for eight years. Therefore, my first option is to transition into a nursing role within this hospital. Hospital requirements for new graduates require a BSN and the completed RN licensure as well as a StaRN program to obtain the necessary experience before transitioning into a staff position. The attraction to this is being able to experience hands-on clinical training within all areas of the hospital and being guaranteed a job at successful completion. The drawback to this position is that it requires an additional 10-24 weeks of training, no days can be missed, and the next enrollment is not until July 2020.

Diverse Nursing Roles: From Home Healthcare to Otolaryngology

Another option I investigated is working in a home healthcare setting with Aveanna Healthcare, a pediatric home health company. The requirements for this position are a good-standing RN license, six months of experience, and a willingness to work with pediatric patients in a home setting. This position will provide paid training and offers a lot of flexibility with scheduling as well as part-time opportunities with benefits. The drawback to a position such as this one is that you may not be getting as many hours as a nurse in a hospital or clinical setting, and they may not accept my years of working in the ER in place of the 6 months necessary experience as an RN.

Lastly, I researched a position with Baylor College of Medicine as a Registered Nurse I. This is an entry-level nursing position in the Department of Otolaryngology and requires a current license as an RN with a BSN and a Basic Life Support certification. The drawback to this position was there was no mention of the type of schedule, benefits, or pay. These are all very big factors in choosing to take a position such as this. However, in a position such as this one, if there is no necessary experience, I could step directly into a nursing role and gain valuable experience needed for growth in my career. I used Chamberlain’s CareerCare website to create an assessment profile. Within this assessment, I was able to create goals for my life, career, and professional development in nursing.

Striking a Balance: Merging Career Ambitions with Personal Well-being

Balancing your career and your home life is very important in order to avoid burnout. Nursing is a very stressful job and requires a lot of energy and emotional stability. In order to separate work life and home life, I will have to find a balance between patient care and personal self-care. Throughout my nursing student career, I joined the gym, and it has helped me manage my stress. At first, it is difficult to think that there is no time for self-care, but there is always time if you make it a priority. In my first year, I believe that I will continue to work as it helps keep me healthy to do the necessary work, and it also helps me to release tension and maintain a healthy mindset. As my career progresses, I believe I will have experienced more adrenalin rushes, possibly some burnout, and even more deaths of patients.

In five years, I hope to have developed a system for myself with healthy habits and be able to know when I need a break and take any necessary time to refocus on myself and my health. I believe you can not take care of others if you don’t take care of yourself first. In any situation, finding a few minutes of self-care, such as deep breathing or meditation techniques, can be beneficial as it relaxes the mind, helps prepare us for whatever obstacles we might encounter, and helps us provide the best patient care.

Bracing for Transition: Career Stressors from Student to Professional RN

Moving from a student to a professional will have many different challenges and come with loads of stress. The first stressor will be finding and getting a job. To help alleviate the anxiety of acquiring a new nursing position, I have visited the Chamberlain Career Center, and I have studied the literature needed on applications, interviews, and search strategies to find the best options for me and my vision for my career. I feel like being prepared for what to expect will help me to make the best of a situation that could be very stressful. After accepting a position, it will be difficult to acclimate myself to the facility, develop new relationships with existing staff, and even manage the workload.

According to a study by Casey, a new nurse graduate needs a year to acclimate to the new atmosphere, and months 6-12 are the most difficult. In order to manage this, I hope to enter a new nurse orientation that will help guide me through the transition and allow me the first few months to develop a superior understanding of the systems, charting, and teams. I also plan to look for a mentor whom I can go to with questions and concerns during any difficult situations. Five years after being established in my career, the stressors will surely still be present, just in a different context. As technology changes and systems advance, it can influence nurses as hospitals and workplaces roll out new methods and systems. For this type of challenge, I plan on, again, trying to be prepared the best I can and implementing my holistic life balance techniques to help with the transitions of new and developed processes.

Commitment to Lifelong Learning and Aspiring to CRNA

Within my first year after graduation and starting my career, I also plan on exercising the option of obtaining my master’s in nursing. Continuing my education is also dependent on where I am able to get a job. If I can transition into a nursing role within the hospital I currently work for, the master’s program will be sponsored and paid for by my employer; in this case, I will immediately continue my education. If I obtain employment somewhere else, I will take the first year to acclimate myself to my new surroundings, get more experience and training, and then continue my education.

My 5-year goal is to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). I will use my experience in an acute setting to better my chances of getting accepted to the program. Also, during this time, I will work on obtaining needed certifications such as Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Certification. Learning will also be a part of my everyday life. There is always a new case, new patient, and different illnesses to learn about in a day at work as a nurse.

Embracing Professional Contributions: Amplifying Nursing’s Voice

It can be easy to get started in a nursing career and be so encompassed by work and life and trying to balance it all that government or educational changes are often pushed aside. According to Nock, by joining and contributing to a professional nursing community, such as the American Nurses Association (ANA), I will have the ability to network with other professionals and have access to the latest articles and resources concerning nurses and even help to influence policy that can help provide the best patient care. The ANA also helps with career development and can help unite members with opportunities that non-members do not have. In alignment with my future goals, I plan to become a member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA).

The AANA also contributes to legislation, and being a part of this group will allow me the chance to stay up to date with my profession, earn CE credits, and even take part in research on CRNA and patient care. Professional development is key to enhancing my skills and my overall career. Every day, we see legislators making laws that make our job nearly impossible in a clinical setting, and it is important to connect to groups where we, as nurses, can help make a difference and really improve patient care.

In the next few years following graduation, I know it will be important to maintain a positive attitude and learn balance as I transition from student to professional. Learning holistic life techniques will help me manage uncomfortable situations. I look forward to joining professional organizations to be a part of such a community that can help with my career goals and help nurses be heard on a state and federal level. I look forward to the next chapter in my career as a nurse.

References

1. Texas Board of Nursing. (2022). Licensure Guidelines and Procedures.
2. Pearson Vue. (2022). NCLEX Registration and Guidelines.
3. West Houston Medical Center. (2021). Emergency Room Department: Overview and Opportunities.
4. Aveanna Healthcare. (2023). Pediatric Home Health: Job Requirements and Benefits.

From Childhood Dreams to Defined Career Goals

When we were all very young, we wanted to be many things, whether it be an astronaut, a doctor, a pilot, or a ballerina. As a little girl, the first thing I wanted to be was a Pediatrician, then after that, a photographer, a marine biologist, a paleontologist, an obstetrician, a psychologist, and the list goes on. The first step to solving a career problem is to bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

Values and Skills: Foundations for Career Success

Exploring your values, interests, and skills will help you find educational and career options that match up with your goals. Knowing what is important to you (your values), what you enjoy (your interests), and what you do well (your skills) will make it easier for you to make a career decision. Going through life, many times we are confused about what career path we would like to take, and we stumble many times. My career plan’s future is uncertain, but I believe it to be important to develop a plan that will allow me to stay focused on my goals and that will provide financial support and personal fulfillment throughout the course of my professional career.

I intend that whatever path I choose allows me to be able to support myself and my family. I plan to be a proper example and leave an inheritance for my prospective children, so it is important that I plan effectively, as all I do and aim to do is for them, myself, and my loved ones. A career life plan will allow me to map out and set the necessary steps required to attain my desired career. By isolating what I need to reach the career that I am striving for, fulfilling the required tasks will become easier to complete, thus making my chances of succeeding much higher.

Planning for Career Longevity and Retirement

A career plan can also be used to determine the required steps necessary for an easier entry into retirement. Setting myself up for retirement through efficient financial savings and the allocation of good investments will serve as a great way to conclude my long-term career plan. At this stage in my life, I have solidified what path I would like to take, and that is the path of an Entrepreneur. I intend to create an empire through a strategic, realistic, and fun plan. I wish to enjoy doing what I love the most for the rest of my life. This is the path I have chosen.

Modern Theories: Navigating Today’s Career Landscape

The purpose of this paper is to aid in developing my vision for the future, to develop a lifetime goal, self-growth, and continuous maturity as an individual walking my own path in this world. By writing and completing this paper, I will be able to understand things about myself that I may not have understood or realized before. I would have gained the ability to establish and apply the steps required to reach my desired career. It will help me to learn how to plan my goals, whether long-term or short-term, efficiently and to perform a thorough self-assessment. I will be able to understand the world of work, how it functions, and what knowledge and skills are required to achieve the goals or objectives needed to pursue my career.

This paper will consist of Primary and Secondary research methods. The Primary research will consist of a small survey in the form of a questionnaire to obtain how others view me. The questionnaire will consist of 10 questions and will be given to about 15 persons. The Secondary research will consist of Google books, research papers, and online journals. All the information gathered will be used for analysis.

The world of work has changed dramatically over the years. The workforce is not the same as it was five or fifteen years ago. Through technological advances, global developments, and the growth of humanity, the world of work has evolved and is continuing to evolve each and every day worldwide. There are many theories on Career choices. Here, we will examine three types and two theories.

Developmental theories of career choice recognize that choosing and adjusting to work is a continuous process and use psychological concepts to explain processes of career development. Donald Super is widely associated with the developmental approach to career guidance. He describes an individual passing through five ‘life stages’ (growth, exploration, establishment, maintenance, and decline) as his career progresses. Super states that as a person grows, he develops an idea of himself, his ‘self-concept,’ which can be used by the individual to match the picture he has developed of himself against the picture he holds of a person in an occupation.

Structural theories attempt to explain careers and career choices in sociological terms: the social position of an individual and his family background will influence opportunities that are open to him. Roberts states that social stratification is an important determinant of a career and argues that career guidance is of limited value when social and structural forces play such an important role.

References

1. Brown, J. (2019). Childhood Aspirations and Their Evolution. Oxford University Press: New York.
2. Mitchell, L. (2020). Mapping Values and Skills to Career Success. Career Development Quarterly.
3. Thomson, R. & Harris, J. (2018). Navigating Uncertainty: Long-term Career Planning. Career Guidance Today.
4. Kim, S. (2021). Entrepreneurial Journeys: From Dreams to Reality. Business Success Press: San Francisco.

Business Administration: Stability and Organizational Leadership

Are you positive you are on the right career path? Have you ever considered changing your major? These are some of the questions that undoubtedly every college student has to answer at some point in their college life. I am not the exception. Though we all may have different reasons as to why we choose one career over another, ultimately, we all want something that is financially rewarding. In search of the best career option for me, I compared the salary, benefits, and flexibility of Business Administration, Mobile App Developer, and Security Code Auditor. The criteria I used to compare my three career choices based on importance were salary, which represented 60% weight; Benefits, which represented 20% weight. Flexibility also represented 20% of weight.

Once I gathered information on each career, I gave each criterion section a rating depending on how well it met the requirements. The product of both the weight and the rating gave me a final weighted score for each criterion. Based on my research, Business Administration had the highest weighted score of 54% in salary, and Mobile App Developer scored the highest in benefits and flexibility, with benefits being 15% and flexibility 19%.

Business Administration basically means overseeing all the activities that are required to keep its activities running. This includes organizing the right people by giving them specific tasks, managing business assets, making decisions that drive the business to meet its daily goals, and enforcing ethical practices of all employees. Some of the traits one must have for this career are great organizational skills, the ability to work with others, staying up to date with technology, and the ability to make split-second decisions. Though some employees may hire someone based on their prior knowledge of the job, most require a college degree in addition to prior learned knowledge.

Higher Education in Business: Salary, Benefits, and Flexibility

A Bachelor’s degree is preferred, but many go on to obtain their master’s since it opens them to many more opportunities, like job security and higher pay. Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2017, the median pay was $94,020 dollars per year or $45.20 per hour, with an expected job growth rate of 10% by 2026. Based on this information, I rated this career’s salary 90, which came to a 54% weighted score.

The benefit of this career is that it offers job security if one processes the required knowledge and expertise. This position offers at least 40 hours per week, and it has room for advancement. In benefits, this career rated at 50, with a weighted score of 10%. On the other hand, job flexibility received a rating of 60 with a weighted score of 12%. The flexibility of this career is that once a degree is obtained, one can seek employment anywhere. The only downfall is that the pay scale is not the same nationwide. There is also a possibility of one setting one’s own work schedule based on the hours of operation of the facility or employer.

Mobile App Developer: Flexibility and Innovation at Your Fingertips

Mobile App Developers, also known as software developers, are the innovative personalities behind PC programs. Some build up applications that enable individuals to do explicit errands on a mobile gadget or PC. Others build up the hidden frameworks that run the gadgets or control systems. A bachelor’s degree is required in addition to lengthy computer knowledge and training. Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay in 2017 was $103,560 per year or $49.79 per hour. Of course, pay varies by location and experience. Based on this information, I rated the Mobile App Developer salary 80, which resulted in a total weighted score of 48%. This career is flexible and easy to adapt depending on one’s needs and wants.

Since a lot of the work can be done from remote access, mobile app developers have the option to work from home and even open their own businesses. A mobile app developer in San Diego stated that he loves the work hours offered by his company without too many demands on a dress code and that he loves making money while he gets to play with the latest cutting-edge technology.

On the other hand, he is not too happy with the long hours he ends up working and all the stress that he endures with having too much to do and getting paid much lower than the current market value. I don’t agree much with the idea of working extremely long hours and being under constant pressure. I rated this career a 75 in benefits and a 95 in flexibility. The total weighted score for benefits was 15% and 19% for flexibility. Overall, this career had the highest weighted score of 82%, making it a very good career option.

References

1. All Business Schools. (2020). Understanding Business Administration: Roles and Responsibilities.
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2017). Occupational Outlook Handbook: Business and Financial Occupations. U.S. Department of Labor.
3. Collins, J. (2019). A Guide to Changing Majors: Making Informed Decisions. Higher Education Press.

Early Planning: Shaping Post-High School Paths

Career planning is the most important and challenging part of our life decisions. Based on their preference, people choose something in which they have their best interest. However, there is not any specific age period for building a career path, but it should be your own decision to make. Some Canadians believe that children should choose their careers right after graduating from high school. Whereas others believe that choosing the correct profession may take time until a person is fully ready. I will discuss both viewpoints and will provide personal ideas in the forthcoming paragraphs.

Starting career planning for young adults: There are many reasons for students to make a choice for their career in advance once they finish high school. It is significant that students should understand the process of career planning as early as possible in order to form an individual identity. Because the development of a career depends on the early awareness of your life goal, you should get a notion of when to start the research. For instance, if children have figured out the field in which they want to proceed, it will prepare them to start the initial exploration of that working field; hence, it will improve their knowledge skills. Therefore, this major reason proves that advanced planning of a career is beneficial for students.

On the other side, there are some plausible causes why youngsters need extra time to plan their life goals to get a clear career path. Although most people, especially in Canada, begin their career planning in adulthood, they tend to take longer time than expected. The reason for taking extra time depends on the confusion that they will create in their mind because of peer pressure, unclear thoughts, job opportunities, scope, and so on. However, most of the time, adults have shown more success rates in choosing their careers while they are grown-ups. Still, there are some people who struggle a lot regarding choosing the correct path. Therefore, students after graduation who are not sure of their goals will start looking for a job.

Not surprisingly, some might object that most people go through the job search following graduation. Many of us would just like to put off looking for work as long as we could. We are aware that having a job has become a necessity of living in the modern world. It is impossible for even the best employees in the world to be perfect in their lives. We often shift our thoughts, and we might have made poor decisions or lost the career that had so much potential. Consequently, it states that choosing a career after graduation might be challenging.

References

1. Smith, J. (2019). Career Pathways: Choices and Challenges. Toronto: Canadian Academic Press.
2. D’Souza, A. (2018). Understanding Career Planning: A Guide for Students. Vancouver: West Coast Publishers.

Introduction

My chosen area of graduate employment aspiration is to work as “Business manager” in the retail sector. In the role of business manager I will be in charge of designing the business strategies and managing everyday operations to ensure company’s efficiency, profit and success.

Being a business manager requires strong interpersonal and leadership skills which are vital for this role and stupendous teamwork is essential for any business success. The job of a business manager requires both excellent written and verbal skills of communication as it necessitates the ability to identify growth opportunities.

Apart from the employment as a retail business manager, the other employability opportunities for business manager can be: “Actuarial analyst arbitrator, business advisor, business analyst, business development manager, chartered management accountant, corporate investment banker, supply chain manager”(Prospects Mar 2020)

My degree in Business management prepares me for a career where I can apply to any business sector/industry as there are immense choice areas you can work in with this degree and aim to get relevant work experience.

Career as Business manager

The work of a business manager inspires, influences the success of a company. Business manager plays a key role in upholding the company’s major business values, ideals, culture with the clients and business stakeholders.

Responsibilities of a business manager include:

1. Identifying and assessing the every latest growth opportunity in current and prospective markets of the business.
2. Strive for the company’s goals and objectives.
3. New employees recruitment and training
4. Performing employee evaluations from time to time regularly and to advise them their areas of improvement.
5. Working on targets, designing business strategies, adhering to company policies and meeting company goals and standards.
6. Ensuring the availability of sufficient resources such as personnel, material, equipment in the company/business.
7. Ability to perform periodic budget analysis and develop company budget
8. Ensure the company activities cohere to legal policies and terms.
9. Evaluation and estimation of company performance on a gross scale.
10. Provide his team with resources to deliver world-class quality of work

Business managers would lead specific division or multiple departments based on company size. They are the pilots of a plane by enforcing, supervising critical mission operations and figuring out the objectives ensuring smooth flow of daily activities in a company’s business.

Qualifications required

Requirements of Business manager in retail requires:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Business Management or other related fields.
• At least 3 years’ experience in a management position.
• Outstanding leadership abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Working knowledge of the latest business policies and regulations.
• Demonstrable analytical thinking & business insight.
• Work experience at fast-paced retail environment
• Putting customers first as a priority for providing best customer service
• Meticulousness over tasks assigned and seeking enough knowledge on commercial awareness on a regular basis(Dunelm 2020).
• Exhibit strong leadership and skill potential to positively influence other team members at work.

They should be capable to manage customer-facing operations, sales & marketing progress. Ability to work in cross-functional teams such as Business to Customer(B2C) or Business to business(B2B).

General trends for Business manager career

Out of top 10 jobs, 8 job posts are available for graduates in the UK which are related to business, sales and HR. Marketing associate professional is the top title of business management graduates, with more than 800 graduates in this role six months after graduation(Prospect Mar 2020).

Covid-19 pandemic has changed the global economic situation with job cuts in the next three months as the proportion of employers planning for redundancies increases this quarter(Prospect Mar 2020).

“Redundancies:- The proportion of employers intending to make redundancies over the next three months has increased to 33%, rising 11% since last quarter. This jump reflects the worsening economic landscape and clarity over the Government’s Job Retention Scheme.The average direct cost to employers in making a redundancy is £11,125”(CIPD Aug 2020). Extremely lowered employment rate and no increase in pay in next 12 months in the private sector(CIPD Aug 2020).

A retail personnel in Lidl mentioned regarding new retail jobs opportunities, there are less than average working hours given to existing workers at Lidl due to covid-19 pandemic and 14000 job applications on hold and job cuts influenced to both covid and brexit.

A graduate degree of Business management is very much sought as there is obvious pay gap is visible between mainly-graduate and mainly-non-graduate jobs, with graduates paid two-thirds more (63%) than their peers in elementary roles(CIPD Aug 2020).

Skills and knowledge

Based on our primary and secondary research analysis on the career of business managers brought us insights that the graduate training schemes offered by large employers give quite relevant experience in several departments and specialisation from the business outset environment.

Primarily, for a business management student, their degree allows them to develop a wider in-depth perspective of business organisations which provides you with subject-specific knowledge in areas such as markets, retail, customers, finance, operations, communication, information technology and business policy and strategy. Business issues are often addressed at a European and international level.

Enormous insights of our deeper secondary research for the career as a business manager as graduate re-instantiated the below points:

Graduate schemes available:

A one or two years on job training programme designed and structured exclusively for graduates by many companies, especially by employers in retail have incredible opportunities to start the career of a business management graduate.

This benefits graduates with outstanding career path and sub-stream choice they prefer and niche skills as business managers just with their first job.

In contrast to an apprentice, it’s a boon of growth opportunities for graduates for

• a.) great hands-on experience
• b.) understanding your chosen professional career path
• c.) practical application of acquired knowledge with your university degree of business management for your work deliverables
• d.) broad understanding of how businesses work in high-end settings and commercial scales.

The best prospects of choosing to get through a graduate scheme is to gain reputation, steadiness, dedication, confidence in a full time job by learning master skills at the same time concurrently.

Graduate trainees are mentored and guided by seniors in the team/company and who are available for them to be approached for advice and guidance whilst building key skills which helps to cope up with work pressure.

Many best graduate employers have global establishments and locations at international level which interests and encourages young graduates who are willing to travel abroad.

In a report of 2019 revealed that top payers and top 100 Graduate employers are the businesses in Finance, law, consulting, oil & energy and retail. 1/6th of graduate opening schemes offer starting salaries greater than £40K in the UK and with few UK’s best known graduate recruiters paying starting salaries of minimum £45K for their 2019 intake.(Prospects-High Fliers 2020).

References

1. Prospect Mar 2020, Business management – March 2020 What do business studies graduates do? https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/business-management
2. CIPD Aug 2020, Labour Market Outlook: Summer 2020 https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/work/trends/labour-market-outlook
3. Dunelm 2020, Dunelm Group plc, Retail Graduate Management Programme https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/job-listing/retail-graduate-management-programme-dunelm-JV_IC3414359_KO0,36_KE37,43.htm?jl=3495083171&utm_campaign=google_jobs_apply&utm_source=google_jobs_apply&utm_medium=organic
4. https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/getting-a-job/graduate-schemes

Education needs to instill the belief in its recipients that they are the master of their lives, have sizeable control over events happening to and around them and empower them to be valuable and respected members of the society. This paper seeks to illustrate how education can be applied to achieve empowerment amongst the masses and in effect help alleviate and eradicate certain societal inequities including poverty, substance abuse, criminality, illiteracy, and marginalization. I believe that children are different especially in the manner in which they intake information and thus as a teacher I will balance my teaching style in a manner that caters for each child under my tutelage. In my classroom, both direct instruction and constructivism styles will be applied as these two complement each other in allowing the tutor to instill knowledge while also allowing the students to form their own understanding from their experiences.

My personal philosophy of education is that education if excellently instituted in students should help them be the best versions of themselves and live up to their full potential. It is my belief that people in their best version tend to have a positive and empowering impact not just on their lives but on the wellbeing and uplifting of their society as well. Growing up, I witnessed my teachers going to great lengths to fulfill their duties as tutors and this left a lasting impression on me which has always guided my life; as such, as a prospective educator I want nothing short of giving my students my ultimate best.

Philosophy of Schools and Learning

Education needs to be regarded as an amour by its recipients in the collective effort of fighting societal inequities. One who is educated is considered an enlightened person with the distinctive ability to differentiate between right and wrong, help in fighting the wrongs while perpetuating the existence and dominance of right. A society with enough educated people tends to prosper and be advanced in multiple fields like technology, industrialism, politics et. al. For example, Colonialism around the world in the 20th century was only ended when enough citizens of the colonized states had garnered sufficient formal education and were able to question the role and justification of colonialism in their countries. It can also be noted that the world’s most developed countries also have very low illiteracy rates as compared to the growing economies who are still struggling with ensuring equal access to quality education to all its citizens. According to Kinloch (2017) “American public education has the potential to remedy inequality of opportunity, improve social conditions, and reduce high rates of poverty for all people, especially those of low socioeconomic status and diverse racial, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds” (p. 1). Mann (1848) stated “Education, then, beyond all other devices of human origin, is the great equalizer of the conditions of men, — the balance-wheel of the social machinery” (p. 669). To this effect it is my desire that the students who learn from me get to do something worthwhile with their knowledge if not to help bridge the gaps in our society then at the very minimum elevate themselves to a higher understanding within their communities. My students should leave my classroom a formidable force to reckon with in the outside world.

Instructional Practice

As a teacher, I want to make the classroom feel like a community of individuals ready to take in knowledge and not just a teacher standing in front of students and talking. If a teacher is exploring and discovering new content with his or her students, the students’ interest in what is being taught will peak thereby increase their involvement in the learning process. This takes me to my desire to apply the constructivism approach in my class. This method engages the students’ experiences and assists them in forming their own understanding of particular issues. This technique when incorporated with direct instruction helps to steer the learner towards drawing the right conclusions of their experiences eventually leading to a better understanding of them and the reason for their occurrence. Gersten and Keating (n.d) argued that direct instruction makes students mature faster; they know what is expected in the teaching/learning process and appreciate this clarity. Both constructivism and direct instruction used together helps to avoid the banking problem where the teacher only serves to deposit knowledge onto the learner without giving the latter the chance to question the knowledge.

People learn through trying to understand their surroundings. A kindergarten child may ask herself, “why does the sun always seem to be moving and why does it have to happen daily?”, or “Why does the moon, unlike the sun, take different shapes at different times of the month”. Darling-Hammond, Austin, Suzanne and Rosso (2001) posit that, “Greater perceptual development and learning occur in environments that are rich with stimuli and provide useful feedback in response to a learner’s efforts to act upon the environment” (p. 11). It is therefore my desire to make my classroom rich with learning equipment like diagrams that should help drive my students towards being both inquisitive and able to form their own understandings after guided with consultations.

Students who frequently question their environment and experiences have a higher chance of being proactive members of the society. These people will not wait for someone else to come and solve their problems. Rather they take the initiative in looking for viable solutions and demanding answers from authorities who are slacking at their responsibilities.

Teacher-Learner Relationships

A fundamental aspect of education philosophy entails maintaining a positive and fruitful relationship with my students. I believe that a productive relationship with the students keeps them motivated to come to school, learn new ideas, engage with their fellow learners and promote a sense of communal standing within the learning environment. An environment that does not shun failure and instead looks at it as an opportunity for the learner to dust himself up and do better helps him to develop the confidence needed to excel in his studies. A researcher noted that a harmonious classroom can assist with the development of creativity as well as reduce anxiety levels amongst students (Hattie, 2011, p. 23)

Diversity

The classroom more often than not acts as an adequate representation of our differences in the community. These are learners from different walks of life who’ve been brought together with the desire to learn and empower their lives and it is my moral responsibility that I discharge of my duties not just equally but by also considering and appreciating that different students will take different modes of learning and understanding. I want to ensure that my students’ race, gender, socioeconomic status amongst many other forms of diversity to not interfere with my objective of being a just and favorable teacher.

Conclusion

It is my view that my philosophy and teaching techniques will go a long way in ensuring my students get the right skills and knowledge to be people of importance in the society with regards to how they treat other members of the community and what they do better their living standards and the affairs of their community. Their education should play a key role in making the world a better place to live in not just for themselves but also for others now and in the future. Educating our children is one of the perfect ways to guarantee a safe society and habitable environment for generations to come.

References

1. Burkhard, T., Kinloch, V., & Penn, C. (2017). When School Is Not Enough: Understanding the Lives and Literacies of Black Youth. Retrieved from http://www.ncte.org/library/NCTEFiles/Resources/Journals/RTE/0521-aug2017/RTE0521When.pdf
2. Darling-Hammond, L., Rosso, J., Austin, K., Orcutt, S., & Martin, D. (n.d.). Session 1 How People Learn: Introduction to Learning Theory I. Key Questions and Learning Objectives Key Questions How do people learn? How can learning theory inform teaching practice? Learning Objectives. Retrieved from https://www.learner.org/courses/learningclassroom/support/01_intro.pdf
3. Gersten, R., & Keating, T. (n.d.). Long-Term Benefits from Direct Instruction. Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/ASCD/pdf/journals/ed_lead/el_198703_gersten.pdf
4. Hattie, J. (2015). The applicability of Visible Learning to higher education. Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Psychology, 1(1), 79–91. https://doi.org/10.1037/stl0000021
5. Mann, H., & Tyler, M. (1891). Life and works of Horace Mann. Boston: Lee And Shepard.

Career

Career play most important role in our life. When we all are Teenager we all are worried about Career . We don’t know what is good for us and what is bad for us.

Some students take the advice of their parents some take the advice from their elder brother sisters , teachers some go for consultant but the only wh advice us in a worth way is know one is just we.we know that what is good for us and what Is bad for us.So firstly we have to ask question from Ourself not from others and because it is only we who know our likes and dislikes. So firstly we have to try to know our likes and dislikes and write them into Paper. Then according to this, we have to start thinking about which work I like most. We have to try to know any work is there which I can do for and, a long period of time without feeling any tiredness. We have to stared to know which work in which we don,t feel tired when we are working for a long period of time. today’s world of rapid change, transformation , and progress, new career paths are constantly unfolding, traditional ones are being changed and shifts are taking place in occupation skills and educational requirements. These changes are a result of new technology, modifications in organizational design and the trend towards global business operations. With all these changes, you might ask ‘What is the point of planning ahead by developing a career plan?’ It is important to be ready for change with a set of career goals, strategies and options based on your interests, personality, values and skills. Once you have a plan, you will be equipped to manage your career and take advantage of changes in the economy and job market rather than becoming a victim of change. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANNING AND MANAGING YOUR CAREER? Planning your career is totally your responsibility. It is up to you to do the planning and take the necessary actions to obtain the education and training that will support your career plans. However, you can get help. For example, your advisor or career counselor can advise you about:

• your career planning strategy
• how to find the information you need
• how to get around obstacles
• how to go about planning your current and long-term education and training Keep in mind, throughout your life,

you are the one who must make all the decisions about your career and produce the results that support your goals. It’s up to you to control and navigate.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF ASSESSMENT

Understanding yourself is a critical aspect of career and educational exploration and planning. The more you know about your career-related interests, values, skills, personality type and preferences, the better equipped you will be to identify the career fields, major areas of study and training programs, and education pathways that are compatible with your personal attributes. The FOCUS 2 system will help you develop an accurate self-assessment of your personal qualities:

• Your Work Interests are a reflection of the kinds of work-related activities and tasks you most enjoy doing.
• Your Personality Type is a description of how you react to certain situations and people and how you make decisions, organize information and solve problems.
• Your Values are a description of what is most important to you in life. For example, you might value earning a lot of money, helping other people, being creative and artistic, having a secure and steady job, etc.
• Your Skills are a reflection of your talents and the activities you easily learn and perform well.
• Your Leisure Time Interests are a reflection of the kinds of leisure-related activities you most enjoy doing. THE BIG PICTURE: YOUR LIFE PLAN It is a good idea to plan your career based on the big picture, that is, your life plan. Ask yourself, “What kind of life do I want to lead?” As you can imagine, your career decisions will dramatically impact your lifestyle. Your occupation will influence your

1. income
2. work hours
3. travel
4. job security
5. colleagues and friends
6. leisure time

• where you live Questions you need to ask yourself about your life plan are:
• What principles am I committed to as a person? i.e. family, security, prestige, accomplishments.
• What kinds of experiences do I want in my life? i.e. travel, adventure, cultural.
• What personal talents do I want to develop? i.e. music, art, language, communication, intellectual.

1. How do I like to spend my leisure time? i.e. community services, recreation and sports, travel. Finally, you must ask yourself whether the occupational goals and educational avenues you are.
2. Be flexible: Nowadays rapid changes in the nature of work and organizations are common. Over-detailed planning can leave little or no scope for responding to changes in circumstances.
3. Do not depend on others recognizing your potential: If you think your bosses will recognize your potential, you are wrong. He/she may, but it is important you yourself recognize and nurture your potential.
4. Assume responsibility for your own career development: Blaming your company for not developing your career is like blaming your teacher for your failure in a subject.
5. Do not take unnecessary risks: Definitely experiment, but make informed choices about your career. You want to start your own venture. Go ahead! But do your homework thoroughly for the same.
6. Be alert: Career development is not a one-time activity. So, you need to continuously keep a track of the emerging trends in your industry, work concepts and its effect on employment.
7. Be an opportunist: While you are implementing your career plan, make sure that you do not ignore good career opportunities that present themselves. If an exciting career opportunity comes up in your field, make sure you are equipped to seize it.

ROLES YOU PLAY IN YOUR LIFE

Being a worker will be interconnected with other roles you play in life. Examples of roles that are affected by your career could include being a parent, a community citizen, a student, a recreationist. Your career reaches beyond being a wage earner in your chosen occupation. For example, consider the following scenario: If you were a wage earner, parent, and student then clearly your income must be sufficient to pay for the expenses incurred in these other roles. Most people are primarily involved with two or three roles at a time. Which roles you are focusing on depends upon your age and life stage. For example, in college, your principle roles may be as student and recreationist. Later in life your principle roles may be as worker and parent. The point is that throughout your life you will play a combination of work, leisure, study, homemaking and citizen roles that are intermixed. Therefore when you make decisions about your career, you should take into.

consideration the effect of these career decisions on the other areas of your life. THE LIFE-CAREER RAINBOW Refer to the Life-Career Rainbow Chart below to get a better picture of the kind of roles you may play at various ages and stages of your career and life. The two outer arcs of the Life-Career Rainbow show you the life stages you may move through during your career and life, and your approximate age in each. The lower arcs of the Life-Career Rainbow show you the different roles you may engage in while in different life stages and ages.

SUMMING IT ALL UP Here is how to take the ‘Big Picture’ into consideration when making career and education plans: First, when choosing an occupation, think about which of your options will most likely provide you with self-fulfillment in all your roles, not only in the present, but in the future. Second, periodically re-examine your career plans, take stock of yourself and what’s happening in your life, and then make adjustments in your career as needed. For example, changes in your career field may require that you learn new skills, or changes in your personal interests, values, social or family situations may affect your career aspirations.

BENEFITS OF HAVING A CAREER PLAN

Once you have established your career goals you will be better able to make choices about your college major and minor areas of study and the courses you should take. Your career goals will also enable you to make decisions about personal developmental activities while in college such as internships, volunteer work and summer jobs. Research has shown that there are many significant advantages and benefits of having career plans.

College students with career plans:

• Are less likely to make costly changes in their college education plans and are more likely to graduate on time.
• Are more confident and satisfied with their choice of an occupation and major area of study

SEEKING EXPERT ADVICE: CAREER COUNSELING In conjunction with using FOCUS 2, you may want to meet with a career counselor, mentor or advisor. Be prepared to ask questions concerning:

• Your career-related interests, values, personality and abilities.
• Your present occupational, educational and college/training goals and plans. • Responsibilities or obstacles that are interfering with your career and college/training decision-making.
• Your life plan, life style desires and strategies to achieve your goals.
• Your career advisor can give you ideas and information to help you:
• Verify the rationale of your career decisions and education plans.
• Help you develop your long-term educational path.
• Pinpoint your personal development needs that will help you to achieve your goals.
• Suggest ways to get around any obstacles that are interfering with your decision-making and planning.
• Formulate strategies and action plans to achieve your career and educational objectives. Career Planning is a lifelong process of exploration and planning of your career and educational goals compatible with your interests, values, talents, personality and aspirations. Career planning involves thinking about which educational and occupational paths will provide you with satisfaction and fulfillment in all aspects of your life, present and future.

Conclusion

We plan when go for a holiday and we also plan for our child’s birthday party. Should we then not plan for the important but not so urgent things in our life like our career development? I am of the opinion that we must. A career is the way in which our work life or professional achievements progress. And leaving this to chance instead of systematic planning is foolhardy.

Writing a perfect application letter can be challenging, but by following some key recommendations, you can create a standout letter that will impress potential employers. Before you start writing your letter, research the company and the position you’re applying for. This will help you tailor your letter to the specific job and company, and show that you’ve done your homework.

Your application letter should be professional and courteous in tone. Avoid slang or overly familiar language, and focus on presenting yourself as a qualified and serious candidate. Your closing should leave a lasting impression and encourage the reader to take action. Thank them for considering your application, express your desire to interview, and provide your contact information.

By following these recommendations, you can create a well-crafted and personalized application letter that will make a positive impression on potential employers.

Perfect Sample of Application Letter

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to express my strong interest in the position of Digital Marketing Specialist at ABC Company. With my extensive experience in digital marketing and my passion for staying up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies, I believe I would be an excellent fit for this role.

In my current position as Digital Marketing Manager at XYZ Agency, I have developed and executed successful digital marketing campaigns for a range of clients in various industries. My responsibilities have included developing and implementing strategies for social media, email marketing, PPC advertising, and SEO. I have also managed a team of digital marketing professionals and have been responsible for training and mentoring them to achieve their full potential.

I am particularly interested in the opportunity to work with ABC Company because of the company’s focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility. As someone who is passionate about these issues, I believe that I would be able to contribute to the company’s mission and values.

In addition to my professional experience, I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from [University Name] and have completed numerous courses and certifications in digital marketing, including Google Ads, HubSpot, and Facebook Blueprint.

I am excited about the opportunity to bring my expertise to ABC Company and to work with a team of talented professionals. I am confident that I would be able to contribute to the company’s growth and success.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further.

Sincerely,

Nick Jameson

Reflective report

Introduction

1-In this reflective report, I will be reflecting on and discussing my academic goals, employability goals, and well-being goals that I have set up for myself. In this report, I will include different skills. I have learned and what I have done to build and develop my skills. Additionally, I will also talk about what it took for me to achieve my goals and the different problems I faced during my time at university in order to attain my goals and skills. I will also mention my SMART targets and give a table of my SWOT analyses.

Reflection on academic report skills development activity

2-Throughout my time at university, what I struggled with the most was my presentation skills. This is because ever since I was a child, I was always afraid of presenting in front of large crowds and this fear continued all the way to university. So, because of this drawback that affected my confidence and grades, I set myself a goal to become more comfortable and confident when presenting in any module in university. I was able to improve my presentation skills by effectively organizing the contents of my presentation and knowing exactly what t say and when to say it. Even if I prepared my presentation well, I still knew that my speaking voice would have a huge impact on how well or bad the presentation will go. I developed this by practicing my presentation in front of family and friends before I presented my work to everyone else. I would also record myself presenting and playback it back and see how I did and what I can do next time to improve my presentation skills better. Additionally, I also learned how to project my voice when speaking to a large crowd. The first time a presented it didn`t go well because I was very nervous and I let my worries get the best of me which is the reason why I got a low grade for that presentation. However, after I have incorporated all the skills. I have learned about developing my presentation skills, I was able to perform much better in all the presentations that came after it.

3-I also learned that when presenting you must be very passionate about what you`re talking about because this will make presenting much easier. I knew this because every time I would present about topics I`m interested in; I would seem more confident and enthusiastic when talking and this made the audience more engaged throughout the whole presentation. One of the most lucrative ways of developing any skill like this one is getting feedback from teachers and students because they can let me know how I did and what I needed to do to make my presentation better next time so that I can get a higher grade. I learned that every presentation may not go as I anticipate however, I can prepare well beforehand and practice thoroughly as much as I can so that I can become more comfortable in any situation like this one.

Reflection on my employability goal

4-The employment goal I chose to develop is my communication skills. The reason I choose this skill to develop is that communication skill is one of or if not the most important skill, I need to have in order to get a successful job. The reason I chose this skill as a goal to progress is that there are different types of communication skills that all need to be developed equally in order for me to have a successful interview or a successful role in an organization. The types of communication skills include written or verbal communication; this is important because if one or the other is lacking then this could affect my chances of getting my desired job. This is because if I can communicate well verbally but can`t communicate well in my writing, then this could discourage employers. Additionally, there are also other skills within communication that also need to be developed, these include active listening and being attentive. If I can develop my communication skills, then all these other skills will also be developed alongside it which is why his skill is the most important skill I need to develop. The actions I have taken to develop this skill is similar to question 1 because I had to develop my written and verbal communication, I practiced this by giving a presentation to my friends and family members before I had to present in front of large crowds. This gave me the ability to alter and strengthen my presenting skills which therefore made my verbal communication better. The way I improved my written communication was by carefully analyzing the different responses teachers would read my work they would notice the lack of grammar, punctuation, and spelling and they would highlight it so that I can see the mistakes and they would also tell me what I needed to do next time so that I can improve and have a better-written essay or report.

Reflection on your Well-being goal

5-The goal I chose for my well-being is to reduce my stress level. This goal is very important for me because I have found myself getting very stressed with work and university and I need to try and reduce my stress levels so that I can stay calm and focused when doing work. This is instead of panicking and over-worrying about what I need to complete and by when. I will try to achieve this goal by organizing what I need to do step by step and making sure that I acquire help if I am facing any overwhelming difficulties b asking my teachers, friends, and family members. Additionally, I can also do physical exercises to help control my stress level, this includes maintaining and controlling my breathing levels so that I can stay calm and relaxed when I`m overloaded with work or problems. From doing all of these practices to help with my stress level I have found that these exercises only work when I`m in the right mindset because if I`m not mentally prepared to undergo any of these exercises then they will absolutely have no effect and from being organized I have found that this does help with my stress level because if I am organized ahead of time and know what needs to be done and by when then this will reduce my stress levels because I won`t be worried or distressed anymore.

Summary and conclusions

6- To conclude, I have found that there are lots of skills and goals that I need to achieve in order to succeed in the workplace or in general life. With the skills and goals, they need time and patience in order to attain them, and with practice and handwork, any skill can be achieved. I need to know what my target is and what it takes to get there and how I`m going to do it. All these actions play a vital role in my future job because these skills I have mentioned can massively impact me in a positive way.

Appendix

2 Smart goals

7- The skills that I can develop through the duration of my course at university are interpersonal skills and writing skills. For my interpersonal skills, I will be able to develop mine by talking and communicating with people in my class effectively about coursework and exams so that I can practice developing these skills. In addition, I can also develop this skill during presentation and group work since a good level of communication is very important in this, as this could make or ruin a presentation if the members don`t communicate properly.

The other skill I can develop during my time at university is my writing skills as this is a very important feature that I must obtain and have a high level of because this skill is needed for every type of industry that I want to work in. I can also develop my writing skills by doing coursework to my utmost, and making sure that I have included the correct punctuation, spelling, etc. I think that through time in university my writing skills will improve gradually with every coursework I hand in.

Covid

1. https:www.studocu.comen-gbdocumentuniversity-of-Greenwich-business-ethics-coursework reflective-report-ppd9639262view