Career Plan Essay Example

CAREER PLAN REPORT AND SELF-APPRAISAL

Summary

Job hunting is an engaging exercise for university students since employers require them to show some experience (BERRY 2008, p.9). However, that can be acquired through work-integrated learning. With that, one gets the chance to determine their career goals and gain non-technical skills such as communication and self-management (CALMEYER 2011, p.16). This report addresses my career objectives and management. These are critical processes that concern the search for jobs. As seen, University students and graduates who want to shape their career should follow such a path. With career goals, they will understand the importance of work placement and have mentors to guide them. The route of career development is gradual and requires a lot of input from a student regarding finding the relevant experience. Most importantly, when finding work, students should prove to their employers of their worthiness through showing some experience (CALMEYER 2011, p.17). In that regard, the most important thing is self-preparation.

Table of Contents

Career Plan Report and Self-Appraisal

Introduction

In career development, work-integrated learning is imperative as it is an aspect that employers are interested in (BERRY 2008, p.8). It provides undergraduates with market skills that allow them to understand what companies want apart from their academic qualifications. Also, it is the element that demonstrates the level of preparedness and employability of learners (CLARK 2014, 11). Furthermore, work placement allows students to determine their competencies and therefore create their career objectives. A lot of emphasis concerning the employability of University graduates focuses on non-technical skills for example self-awareness, communication, problem-solving and self-management. Such skills are acquired during work placement done before a student graduates from their University. In that case, this report will demonstrate my career objectives and self-appraisal. Therefore, this report will show my career plans and preparedness for the job market in the long term.

Career Goals

Short-term goals

Event Management employers have raised their standards and require graduate applicants to have relevant experience and non-technical abilities before employment (CLARK 2014, p.13). In the bid to enhance my employability, my short term objective is finding career placement and focusing on my school work. The job market requires productive, skilled and efficient individuals to remain competitive. Therefore, as an individual, my aim is to develop my event managing skills before my graduation. Such can only be made possible through posting in an event management firm where I can learn technical skills in a six-month internship program. Furthermore, it is an opportunity to determine whether my non-technical skills match the requirements of the business industry (JACKSON 2017, p.15). Organizations have to remain innovative and competitive. Therefore, one of the ways of meeting these needs is through the employment of graduates with some experience. On that note, work-integrated learning will help me satiate this technical requirement while focusing on my employability in the short-term.

Mid-term goals

Work-integrated learning not only equips University students with industrial skills but also prepares their mindset (SULLIVAN 2016, p.8). In that case, they become ready for the uncertainties of the job market since it is a dynamic environment. The objective is having the right attitude towards employment. Furthermore, with the right attitude, students seeking jobs get motivated since they have an understanding of what the employers demand from them. Therefore, as a student, my mid-term objective is to find as much experience as possible. In a period of more than a year, I intend to find internships and temporary jobs to enhance my skillset. Each work environment differs from the other and so is the experience (COLLIS 2006, p.9). In that way, I will equip myself with ample industrial learning to become an employable individual. Here, the objective is to become a wholesome person, capable of employment and exploring market options. As such, while looking for work placement, I will continue doing my market research.

Long-term Goals

The path to career development is long and challenging where it necessitates the acquisition of relevant market skills. Such is accomplished through the identification of market trends and career objectives (JACKSON 2017, p.16). In that case, one of my long-term goals is enhancing my skills through appropriate certifications. Such will allow my employers to be sure of my event management skills. Also, it is the sure sign of accountability and professionalism for employers looking for qualified individuals. Second, within a duration of three years, I would like to have an understanding of the event management industry and how to survive in this competitive business. In that way, I can have career options in that I would know what to if job-seeking becomes a problem. Lastly, I intend to build my professional network as a strategy to be informed about market opportunities. Therefore, to make this strategy a reality, I plan to increase my social engagements with people in my career path.

Self-Appraisal

Currently, I am yet to graduate, but I have completed the mandatory work placement program. While on my industrial attachment program, I learned a lot of skills and more so dealing with people in the work environment. That is a challenge I experienced at the beginning of the work-integrated learning opportunity. Similarly, the opportunity at Emerald Events Company was an eye opener and the chance to develop non-technical skills. Such capabilities are some of the elements that employers focus on when looking for suitable candidates for their work (JACKSON, et al. 2017, p.13). The start of my work-integrated learning was a huge challenge as I had communication issues. I was not used to dealing with lots of different people, but eventually, I developed confidence.

A view of my industrial placement indicates that I had challenges with analyzing problems (MARTIN, REES EDWARDS 2011, p.18). However, after sufficient guidance from my supervisor, it became apparent that I am a fast learner. In that way, the work placement was a learning process and more so an opportunity to learn how to relate to people in the workplace. As it is, work relations is necessary for personal growth and work-integrated learning provides this opportunity (JORGENSON 2008, p.11). It focuses on enhancing the professional capabilities of an individual. In that light, I had the opportunity to correct some of my weaknesses such as poor communication, work relations and problem-solving.

I am a profound event manager owing to my work placement, but I intend to enhance my skills and experience through finding internships after finishing my final year. The objective is to expand my knowledge and capabilities regarding my career development. Furthermore, I intend to improve my self-efficacy now that I know my event management skills are excellent. More so, find an avenue to develop auditing skills to improve my employability and working options since the market is filled with graduates.

Managing my Career

The participation of students in work-integrated learning provides them with a foundation for career management. It is at such a time when they identify their career objectives, areas of interest and challenges (JORGENSON 2008, 7). Therefore, they can make the necessary adjustment to shape their career path in the bid to enhance their employability. In that case, my intention is to continue pursuing my career through research and placement opportunities. With such, I will have the knowledge on how to shape my career and determine the best options available for me. For instance, I intend to find out which skills will provide me with a competitive advantage when seeking for a job in the event management field.

There are few barriers that I feel impede my career advancement. Currently, finding work placement is a challenge since there are many applicants. More so, the application process is very competitive. However, in the bid to advance my career, I have to keep making applications. When I started my work-integrated learning process, I had the challenge of shifting from the school system to the work environment. That problem was coupled with communication and work relation issues. However, as it is, I overcame these challenges, and I can confidently handle work situations without fear and intimidation.

Work-integrated learning shapes the expectations of students once they understand the job market (NJOZELA 2012-, p.12). Also, it provides them with the opportunity to understand compliance issues such as the fair work act amongst other employment regulations. On that note, I plan to find a mentor to get guidance on matters concerning my event management career. In that way, I would know some of the market tricks and twists concerning surviving in the competitive job market. With my persistence, I am confident that I will explore my career options through internships and other opportunities such as temporary employment. My agenda is to become a motivated, skilled, optimistic and objective event manager.

Conclusions and Recommendations

Work-integrated learning is a great opportunity for students to learn about the workplace. Although some find it difficult to transition from school to the workplace, such experience provides them with an awakening. In that way, an individual who wants to shape their career should consider the work placement. The reason is that one is provided with the chance to know their career objectives and most importantly the requirements of employers. In that way, a University student can change their perspective and prepare themselves for the job market. As in my case, my plan is to increase my experience through internships and eventually get event management experience. In that way, I will increase my attractiveness to employers considering that the job-seeking is competitive. As such, it is imperative for their students in such a position to identify their career goals to enhance their employability. With that, one can easily find their way to the company they desire to have their internship or temporary employment. The reason is that with work experience, employers are convinced of the suitability of a job applicant.

List of References

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Clark, K 2014, The Strengths and Weaknesses of a ‘Learning while Earning’ Variation of Work-Integrated Learning (WIL). International Journal of Quality Assurance in Engineering and Technology Education (IJQAETE).

Collis, C 2006, The Brisbane Media Map: Connecting Students, Industry, and University through Authentic Learning.

Jackson, D 2017, Exploring the challenges experienced by international students during work-integrated learning in Australia. Asia Pacific Journal of Education.

Ackson D., Rowbottom D, Ferns S, & Mclaren D 2017, Employer understanding of Work-Integrated Learning and the challenges of engaging in work placement opportunities. Studies in Continuing Education.

Jorgenson, D 2010, Work integrated learning. Abingdon, England, Routledge.

Martin, A., Rees, M., & Edwards, M 2011, Work integrated learning: a template for good practice.

Njozela, D 2012, ‘Mental models’ that students possess about Work Integrated Learning (WIL) with reference to the new curriculum framework. South African Journal of Higher Education.

Sullivan, W. M 2016, The power of integrated learning: higher education for success in life, work, and society.