Career and Professional Development - Assignment Example

 Career and Professional Development Personal Development Plan (A) Conduct a self analysis of your current knowledge, skills and abilities. State your occupational choice then undertake a SWOT analysis (in a table format) outlining your Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) for your chosen career or business. Occupational Choice I would like to pursue a career in marketing with my career aspiration of eventually becoming a marketing manager. Marketing managers are often responsible for stimulating the degree, timing, and structure of customer demand (Steinberg 1999). SWOT Analysis Strengths Weaknesses My personal assessment is that I possess above average communication skills. My communication skills were developed through active participation in giving presentations during seminars and projects in school the last twelve months. I have teamwork, leadership skills that I exhibited in group works and class projects in school. For example, I was a leader of a group project in class last semester. I do not have actual experience working as a marketing officer My technical knowledge of marketing strategies and concepts is still inadequate and still needs to be further developed as evidenced by my mediocre performance in marketing classes I sometimes lack discipline and motivation Opportunities Threats There is a trend towards hiring online marketing managers as evidenced by job search sites’ frequent postings for the position Given the rise of the internet which has facilitated communication and reduced distance across borders (Everett 2007), there is an opportunity for me to leverage the Internet by learning relevant skills such as online marketing. I have a lot of friends and contacts which enables me to engage successfully in networking activities Global economic crisis There is a lot of competition as statistics show that more and more graduates are pursuing this field (Griffith 2008) I have observed from my interactions with other students and friends that there are many schoolmates and graduates from other universities who have more experience and knowledge in marketing than I do. (B) Write a brief summary on the following: 1. Why do you feel that your current knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA) match your chosen career/business? Being a part-time working student was difficult and it meant that I had to learn to manage my time well. I also gained and practiced self-discipline and time management by consistently being able to go to work, attend classes and submit school work on time. I believe the skills in communication and time management that I acquired from being a part time student will aid my future career as a marketing manager as this work experience arms me with the confidence and competence in interacting with various kinds of people. Being a good communicator is an advantage because it allows me to accomplish more by being able to work with teams and see from the perspectives of people with different backgrounds. 2. What Knowledge Skills Abilities will you need to develop for your chosen career/business? The role of a marketing manager requires good interpersonal skills and academic training in marketing analysis (Goodman 2001). These skills are interrelated and interdependent. Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities are fundamental skills needed for marketing (Butler and Waldroop 2001). Good communication skills are likewise important, because analysts need to expound marketing concepts and strategies to management or clients (author year). Working with clients requires good people skills. Marketing executives require good communication skills to explain difficult financial concepts using simple words. In order to become a fully-developed marketing manager, I need to be involved in activities and relevant opportunities that will develop my competencies. First of all, it is important that I complete my education. Most marketing managers possess a bachelor’s degree in marketing or business (Helitzer 1999). Secondly, I feel that my ability to analyze data could be improved. Although my basic analytical skills are good, it is not sufficient for me to excel in a field where a solid understanding of research techniques is essential. For example, I have found some topics in marketing research harder and more challenging. In particular, the topic in quantitative marketing research took me more time and effort to understand. There is definitely room for more improvement in this area, thus I believe that I need to discipline myself to study harder and learn the technical tools needed to become competent in marketing. Furthermore, I need to work on this weakness by devoting more time to studying and clearly laying out a plan as to how to gradually acquire the knowledge I still lack. C) Build a personal development plan outlining your career profile for the next 2 and 5 years. Here you are required to present an action plan in a table format. You must clearly communicate how and when you are going to develop the relevant KSA to enhance the success of your career/business. Action Plan 1: (short term) State the objective. My short term goal is to rank in the top twenty-five percent of the class in the remaining semesters I will spend in school. This will enable me to gain a solid foundation to a career in marketing, as good performance in school is one of the important criteria employers look for when hiring. Last semester, I ranked in the top fifty percent of the class. Outline of specific actions associated with the achievement of the above objective. First, I will spend more time in academically related activities such as reading and studying required books for the course. I will also research and read additional materials in order to expand my knowledge further. Secondly, I will maintain good study habits by allotting a specific time to do school work. Thirdly, I will explore other opportunities for learning such as joining group studies and discussions or seeking assistance from professors or classmates regarding topics I find challenging. Time frame for achievement of the above objective. For the next 3 months, I will exert effort in increasing the time allocated for studying. Specifically, I will allocate at least 2 hours every school day to accomplish the school assignments and doing extra research. On free days, I will engage in group studies and consult professors regarding schoolwork. I intend to rank in the top twenty-five percent of the class at the end of this semester. Action Plan 2: (short/ medium term) State the objective. To seek a part time job as an intern engaging in marketing activities. This will enable me to apply the theories and concepts that I have learned from the university. It will also enable me to gain practical experience at work. Outline of specific actions associated with the achievement of the above objective. First, I would look for internships or job postings on the school bulletin board that fit my qualifications. Secondly, I would also consult other sources such as newspaper classified advertisements and online job searches for possible work opportunities. Thirdly, I will inform classmates, professors, and relatives of my interest to work as an intern related to marketing. Finally, I will take the initiative to call organizations located around the city to ask if they are in need of interns. Time frame for achievement of the above objective. I would start searching for job postings or internship opportunities this month. In the next two weeks, I should have searched for opportunities in classified advertisements and job postings in school. Likewise, I should have informed my friends, classmates, professors of my intention by next month. If I am still unsuccessful after the first three weeks, I will start obtaining phone numbers and/or emails of companies located nearby and contact them to ask regarding possible internship opportunities. Action Plan 3 (medium term) State the objective. To seek a job as a marketing officer/ executive engaging in marketing activities. My medium term goal is to gain the confidence of my employer and be entrusted bigger tasks and responsibilities. Outline of specific actions associated with the achievement of the above objective. By working hard on improving and gaining more knowledge regarding marketing analysis, I would be prepared for opportunities wherein my employer would ask me to take on other tasks, expect me to be reliable on confidential information, or allow me to decide on important matters. Time frame for achievement of the above objective. I should be able to obtain a marketing executive position in a company after I graduate, given my good academic record and my experience working as an intern. After working on this position for a year, I will try to assess myself if I have the skills and still have the desire to pursue my long term aspiration, which is to become a marketing manager. Action Plan 4 (long term goal): State the objective. To establish links or contacts with people who may be instrumental to my future professional career as a marketing manager. Networking is a vital strategy consistently employed by people who actively engage in building their careers. Outline of specific actions associated with the achievement of the above objective. In order to progress from being a marketing officer to becoming a marketing manager, I will invest in printing my own set of calling cards to prepare me for occasions where I would need to exchange contact details with other people. Secondly, I will attend acknowledged events such as forums and discussions involving reputable speakers holding speeches or talks in marketing or related fields such as marketing research. Thirdly, I will join organizations or clubs related to marketing. Fourthly, I will start approaching and establishing connections with experts and professors. Finally, I will seek to become friendlier to all people I meet, as this allows me to gain more friends and will help me widen my acquaintances. Time frame for achievement of the above objective. Starting now, even before I graduate, I will search bulletin boards and in newsletters for events such as talks/ forums related to marketing. I will also approach school organizations and clubs in marketing and inquire regarding membership requirements. Five to seven years from now, I envision myself being employed as a marketing manager. References Butler, Timothy and James Waldroop 2001, Discovering your Career in Business, Basic Books, New York. Everett, Melissa 2007, Making a Living while Making a Difference, New Society Publishers, Canada. Goodman, Jennifer 2001, Vault Career Guide to Marketing and Brand Management, Vault Inc., New York. Griffith, Susan 2008, Work Your Way around the World, Vacation Works Publication, Great Britain. Helitzer, Melvin 1999, The Dream Job: Sports Publicity, Promotion and Marketing, University Sports Press, New York. Steinberg, Margery 1999, Opportunities in Marketing Careers, McGraw Hill, New York. Read More