Personal and Career Goals - Essay Example

?Career Analysis Personal and Career Goals In terms of my career and professional goals I recognize that I have a diverse array of concerns. In termsof my goals it’s perhaps best to consider them within the context of foundational elements and within this area of understanding include specific references to personal and professional goals. Similar to most individuals living in the United States I desire a semblance of what has classically been termed the American Dream. For me this represents financial security, a family, and general amenities for occurrences such as vacations or entertainment expenditures. I recognize that in achieving these goals I need to establish a strong educational and career foundation. In large part, I have come to the University of Phoenix to begin this process. Currently my field of study is in the liberal arts. I recognize that this field of study helps me achieve my personal and professional goals in a variety of ways. In terms of professional goals, study in the liberal arts prepares me for a wide variety of fields. In reviewing potential career options for liberal arts students, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has a number of jobs for liberal arts majors ("Occupational handbook 2010-2011," ). One career that held particular interest was teacher; this profession requires an undergraduate degree. It would also allow me to continue learning throughout my life. Still, in today’s job market it’s necessary for students to have a wide array of skills and abilities, as it’s highly possible that upon graduation one may not be able to attain a position in their field of choice. In these regards, liberal arts study at the University of Phoenix develops students’ critical thinking skills and instills a broad appreciation of culture and academic disciplines. While many students attend college with the belief that in simply following their course schedule and completing the scholastic routine will ensure them of a job, I recognize that the true value in education is the development of skills and knowledge. In studying the liberal arts I will best be able to hone these skills through challenging course curriculum. While many of my personal goals were specified above, there are a number of goals that will be directly contributed to by my study at the University of Phoenix. One of the most prominent considerations is my personal belief in following Socrates that the unexamined life is not worth living. In these regards, pursuing my study of liberal arts also fulfills a portion of my personal meaning in that I am able to further examine many of the tenants of existence. In addition, I recognize that in achieving my personal goals of independence requires gaining financial success. Through my study at the University of Phoenix I will gain the skills necessary to find a job that will then allow me to gain the money that will provide for these personal goals. Finally, after retiring I hope to travel the world. In traveling I recognize that in gaining an education allows one to achieve a deeper appreciation for society and culture. This appreciation will heighten my enjoyment of travel and generally enhance my life. Questionnaire In further understanding my personal and professional goals the Multiple Pathways to Learning and the Personality Spectrum revealed a number of notable elements about myself. In these regards, I score high in the categories of bodily-kinesthetic, verbal-linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, and interpersonal. I scored moderately developed in the naturalistic category, and underdeveloped in the visual-spatial category. In terms of the personality spectrum assessment, I scored highest on the organizer category, lowest on the thinker category and mid-range in the adventurer and giver categories. The collection of these results functioned in a number of ways to bring more understanding to my life goals. While I was previously aware of my areas of strength, the pathways to learning assessment brought to my attention my areas of weakness. For instance, my low-score in the visual spatial category both brings to my attention my difficulty in learning through this method, as well as my need to strength this area of understanding. Learning Methods There are a number of considerations that can be made regarding my learning methods. The first consideration is my optimal learning time and how it relates to my learning style. In these regards, my optimal learning time is occurs at nighttime during my study and reading times. This relates to my learning style in that I have high scores in terms of verbal-linguistic and low scores in regards to visual-spatial. Many in-class lessons involve visual-spatial instruction methods; subsequently I have more difficulty learning in this context. I also recognize that I can implement the areas I score high in to help me retain course information. For instance, I can both read course material and converse with others about the material. These elements allow me to gain the greatest understanding of the material. How Adult Learning Theory Influences Learning I recognize that there are a diverse number of ways adult learning theory can influence my study. One of the predominant understandings of adult learning theory is the constructivist notion of understanding. Within this context of understanding, the adult learner is recognized as approaching the area of study with a number of pre-established perspectives and levels of knowledge. In these regards, it’s necessary for the learning curriculum to consider the particular elements the learner brings to the content area (Douglas 1999). While I recognize that not all courses at the University of Phoenix implement constructivist-learning theory, I have the choice to structure my course schedules with constructivist notions in mind. For instance, I can build on already established skills and seek out courses that will challenge my preconceived notions of life and existence. Another adult learning theory I can implement is Gardner’s theories of multiple intelligences. This theory contends that individuals demonstrate different propensities towards certain types of learning. I recognize that in large part of intellectual strength is in terms of linguistic learning. In these regards, I can focus on areas where my linguistic skills will be put to their best use. Time and Stress Management Strategies While learning theories can greatly aid study habits, it’s almost important to use strong time and stress management strategies. In terms of time management skills, I recognize that perhaps the most important consideration is making both short and long-term goals. In terms of long-term goals I have the goal of graduating from college, from completing semesters, and then on an even smaller scale completing homework tasks. In recognizing that I need to accomplish all of these goals within the specified period of time, I can improve my time management skills and overall efficiency levels. In terms of smaller scale things, such as completing singular homework tasks, the most important consideration is setting a timeframe that the assignment can be completed in. I can then pace myself as a means of completing the assignment in the specified time. In large part, having effective time management strategies allows one to also avoid undue stress. Still, there are situations where stress will emerge. As a means of counteracting stress one of the major things I will do is engage in regular exercise, as I have found this to greatly reduce stress. Another thing I will partake in is maintaining a healthy diet. From experience I have found that stress has a large biological component and that in maintaining a strong diet and exercise regime I can in-large part avoid stress build up. References Douglas.S. (1999). Mind in process. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press Occupational handbook 2010-2011. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/oco/ Read More