Informational Interview: My Chosen Career Path - Admission/Application Essay Example

?Other (s) Informational Interview Introduction My preferred career of interest is operations management. Although operations management has traditionally been considered to be only limited to manufacturing organizations, this is longer true in the contemporary business world. The increasing sophistication and expansion of corporate organizations has resulted in a growing need for operation managers who are able to oversee the everyday functions of business organizations. The roles of operation managers are often so varied. In most cases, a career in operations management usually involves managing and developing essential procedures in areas such as quality control, supply chain, product design, facility management and purchase of external products among others. I have chosen operations management because it particularly matches my skills, values and interests. Although operations management careers are always challenging, they also come with numerous benefits including a competitive salary and opportunities for self improvement. As a student of a business course, I have always been passionate about joining a career that will provide me with an opportunity to work with a variety of people while at the same time gaining more skills on how businesses are run. Additionally, throughout my schooling, I have acquired sufficient skills and knowledge that would enable me to pursue a successful career in operations management. The organization that I selected for this informational interview is Apple Inc. As a multinational computer and electronics manufacture, Apple Inc. is currently one of the leading corporate organizations whose success is primarily attributed to their effective operations management. While Apple is widely perceived as a highly innovative company, it is its successful management of operations that has largely fueled its consistent production of top-notch quality products as success in the global market. Apple Inc. has particularly built an efficient ecosystem which enables the giant corporation to efficiently control all the parts of their vast supply chain, from product design to retail services (Linzmayer, 34). There are several career opportunities at Apple Inc. that are related to operations management. For example, being one of the worlds largest information technology company, Apple Inc. has located its corporate offices nearly in all regions across the globe. As a result, some of the potential employment options related to my chosen career path include operations management, supply management office, and product management or program management in many of the Apples stores and subsidiaries that are currently spread all over the world. The person I chose to be my interviewee was Stephen Wang, the current senior operations manager at Apple Inc. Mr. Wang is regarded as an operations management expert with vast experiences as an operations executive at Apple Inc. He has also previously held the positions of engineering program manager at Apple Inc. and Senior Electrical Engineer with Motorola Inc. After settling on Stephen Wang as the best persons I could interview, I sent an email to the office of the Chief executive highlighting the purpose of my interview and requesting for an appointment with Stephen Wang. I also explained that I was a student working on a class assignment and would be glad to have my interview with him. However, I was surprised that the process was not so complicated as I had earlier thought. I received an email reply informing me that my request had been approved and I would be able to meet the senior operations manager any on October 20th and conduct the informational interview. 2. Summary of my Informational Interview Name: Stephen Wang Current Job Title: Senior Operations Manager at Apple Inc. Employer: Apple Inc. Location: San Francisco, One Stockton Street, CA 94123. Business Phone Number: (415) 848-4445, 408-996-1010. Date and Time: October 20th 2013 at 2.30pm Interview Questions and Answers 1. As an operations manager for Apple Inc., How does your average day look like? A. According to Stephen Wang, working as an operations manager at Apple Inc. is both a rewarding and challenging work. Stephen Wang’s day begins shortly after 4.00 am in the morning and ends at 11.00PM. Immediately after waking up, Mr. Wang spends between 30 minutes to 1hr in a local fitness facility before making it to his office by 7.30 AM. “My daily responsibilities at the work place include managing and developing essential procedures in areas such as quality control, supply chain, product design, facility management and purchase of external products among others.” 2. What are the key qualifications and skills required for one to Become an Operations Manager A. “I strongly believe that operations management is one of the most challenging careers in business organizations.” The senior operations manager also suggests that apart from the traditional requirements such as sufficient passion, flexibility, communications and ability to multi-task, individuals who want to pursue careers in operations should have a solid educational background in business and management related fields. Additionally, excellent project management skills, direct experience in management or product manufacturing positions may also be important added advantages. 3. How did you come to working at Apple Inc. as a senior operations manager? Is your educational background related to your career path? A. “I studied in Columbia University, New York were I graduated in 2006 with a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Philosophy.” Mr. Wang narrates that throughout his schooling, He had always wanted to pursue a career in operations management. As a result, he was more than happy when he was appointed to work as an operations manager at Apple Inc. “Prior to this position, I worked as an electrical Engineering intern at the product operations management department of Sarnoff Corporation in 2005.” I later worked as a Senior Electrical Engineer with Motorola Inc before joining Apple Inc. in 2008 as an engineering program manager at Apple Inc. “I was later promoted to the post of senior operations manager which I still hold today.” 4. What is your work experience at Apple Inc.? Do you enjoy your work place environment? A. “Like I said earlier, working as an operations manager at Apple Inc. is both an extremely challenging and rewarding career.” “I particularly love the efficient ecosystem of Apple Inc. that has enabled operation managers like me to efficiently control all the parts of their vast supply chain, from product design to retail services.” According to Stephen Wang, working at Apple Inc. is one of the rewarding careers in his life.” “Above all, my current position has not only enabled me to acquire more skills and knowledge but has also provided an opportunity to interact with many people and improve my interpersonal skills. 5. What is the average Salary scale for Individuals working in Operations management career? A. According to Mr. Wang, there is no currently no standard salary scale for operation managers. “However, majority of the companies currently offer between $129,000 and $150,000 in a year. “Apple Inc. is among the companies that currently offer very competitive salaries to operation managers.” 6. What are the most rewarding and challenging tasks in your current position? A. Wang believes that the most challenging part of his job is how to effectively communicate with a diverse group of other managers and subordinates. According to the manager, maintaining effective communication and interpersonal relationships with other members of the organization is one of the keys to success in an operations management career. On the other hand, one of his regarding aspects of working at Apple Inc. as an operation manager is that it allows him to socialize and interact with many people and improve my interpersonal skills 7. What is the management culture at Apple? Does it conform to your personal values? A. “I believe that part of the success of Apple Inc. as a giant multinational technology company can be attributed to its effective corporate management culture that was introduced by the former CEO Steve Jobs”. Our management culture primarily focuses on innovative engineering, minimal bureaucracy and better employee experience. Stephen Wang also feels comfortable with the current management culture at Apple and he says he has learnt a lot since he began his career as an operations manager with the company. 8. Are there some job training and personal development opportunities offered by Apple Inc. to its operation management personnel? A. “Yes. Apple Inc. provides a number of personal development opportunities that are primarily geared toward encouraging employees including operation managers to drive their own careers and personal development.” According to Stephen Wang, the company has put in place sufficient resources to help their employees in their career management. For example, some of the potential personal development opportunities offered by the company include annual on job trainings, a huge career resource library and career assessment and counseling as well as regular brown bag seminars. 9. Are you currently involved in some personal development programs? A. As an operations manager, Stephen Wang is provided with a number of educational and training resources including language and communication drilling, computers educational grants and further training on specialized topics that may require deeper understanding. 10. Is there any important advice you would like to pass to those aspiring to pursue careers in operations management A. “Yes. Working as an operations manager requires more than merely having an academic background on the career.” “I suggest you should secure as many internship opportunities as you can before you are employed.” According to Mr. Wang, Internships offer the best opportunity for learning other relevant skills such as communication and interpersonal skills among other things. 3. Reactions and Conclusions In conclusion, the informational interview provided me with very insightful and valuable information regarding my chosen career path. I particularly felt more encouraged and rejuvenated in my desire to pursue a successful career in operations management. One of the lessons I have learnt from the interview is that building a successful career requires more than a collage degree or academic qualification. There are a number of hidden skills and challenges that can only be learnt having on the job experience. Additionally, interacting with experts is also important before deciding to pursue any given career. What skills do you need in order to succeed in this position?  A. Based on what I have learnt from the informational interview, some of the most important skills required for me to succeed in my chosen career path include, flexibility, efficient communications and language skills, and ability to multi-task. Would you be comfortable working in this position/organization? Why or why not? A. Yes. I would be comfortable working as an operations manager at Apple Inc. This is particularly due to the excellent organizational culture and the numerous opportunities for personal development that the company offers to its employees. How do you feel about this career after the interview? Are you more interested or has your opinion of the career changed?  A. After the interview, feel more rejuvenated and encouraged in my desire to pursue a successful career in operations management.  Do you feel that you can realistically obtain this type of job? Why or why not? A. I strongly feel that I’m qualified to pursue this career. However, I have learnt that apart from a relevant academic background, I will also need to acquire excellent project management skills. How has the interview assisted you in your career research and job search? A. Yes. The interview has significantly assisted me in my career research. I have learnt a lot of about challenges, opportunities and demands in my chosen career path. 4. Thank You Note To: stephenwang@apple.com Dear Sir, This is to inform you that I’m really grateful for having got an opportunity to interview you. I have particularly learnt a lot from the interview and I’m now sure that operations management is the career I would like to pursue. Sincerely, Works Cited Linzmayer, Owen W. Apple Confidential: The Real Story of Apple Computer, Inc. New York: No Starch Press, 2009. Print. Read More