Introduction
Career planning entails a personal initiative pursued by an individual in order to arrive at the desired occupation of interest. It may involve situations where one visits a career counselor, career websites or seeks information from friends and family members on his/her career of interest. In this case, an individual addresses a number of questions such as: What should I major in? What can do with a major in my current course? What should my resume have? How do I search for the job I desire? What do I engage myself in for the rest of my life? These questions enable one to plan for his/her career or employment before going ahead to implement the plan. This essay entails my plan for the future career possibilities that I have in mind. It gives a detailed account of the economic rationale of each career possibility, the academic requirements of each career, and the major colleges and universities that can help me attain the academic requirements for each career possibility.
Career Planning
Identification of the Careers of Choice
Making reference to the LCCC and the Bureau of Labor Statistics career websites, I managed to come up with a number of career possibilities that can match my career and employment interests. These are Banking, Airline Company Financial Management and Human Resource Management among others.
Economic Rationale of the Career Possibilities: Evaluation of My Career Possibilities
Banking
This industry provides services ranging from safeguarding money, provision of loans, payment services to insurance and investment opportunities. It can be divided into three major categories (that is) commercial banks/ Federal reserve banks, credit service unions and loans & savings organizations. Under this industry, about 64% of jobs are held by the office and the administrative officers and their support staff. Because of its large size and the high turnover rate of professionals, the office and administrative sector offers greater employment opportunities annually. Additionally, it is recorded that the banking industry had about 1.8 million employees in the wage and salary sector only. Promotions from this position into the management sector require an individual to be experienced and technically trained. Moreover, a growth rate of 8% is expected in this industry over the projection period of 2008-18 relative to 11% in other industries combined (Bureau of Labor Statistics, par.23).
Airline Company Financial Management
Most organizations, government agencies, or companies are said to employ 1-2 financial managers annually. They are charged with the duty of preparing financial reports, overseeing investments and implementing strategic plans. The industry poses stiff competition for job seekers because of its small size, additional qualifications and experience requirements. It is recorded that 3 out of 10 professionals in this industry are in the insurance and finance sectors.
Human Resource management
The industry is charged with the responsibility of attracting, training and motivating the most qualified individuals for specific jobs. Because of its diverse duties, it offers a large career opportunity for many professionals with various educational backgrounds. In addition, studies indicate that the industry is projected to record a growth rate of more than average (22%) within the period of 2008-18. In 2008 only, the industry had about 904,900 workers spread evenly in all sectors.
Academic qualifications of My Career Possibilities
Banking
A minimum requirement of high school education is needed for individuals wishing to be trained and employed in the office and administrative sectors. For those under the finance, business, investment and insurance sectors, a minimum of a college degree in the relevant field is required. Possession of good communication, interpersonal and customer relations skills is an added advantage. Sometimes background information may be required for all employees (Bureau of Labor Statistics, par.28).
Airline Company Financial management
A bachelors’ degree in the relevant field is the minimum requirement for most positions in this industry. Possession of a masters’ degree or any other professional certifications will be an added advantage. Moreover, most managers are required to have experience in sales and loans positions or any relevant positions. For most financial managers, having excellent math, interpersonal and business skills is an important attribute for one’s career. Additional licensing and certifications are also a requirement for most financial management positions (Bureau of Labor Statistics, par.28).
Human Resource Management
College graduates who are majors in human resources, industry and labor relations and administration are required to fill the most diverse positions in this industry. Because the industry is diverse, individuals with a wide range of course combinations stand a better chance of securing employment in any of the positions. These courses include social sciences, business administration, management, sciences, law and finance among others. An advanced degree will enable one to get a higher position in management. Experience, certifications, advancements, excellent communication and interpersonal skills are very important attributes within this industry (Bureau of Labor Statistics, par.12).
College or University Identification
In order to meet the above requirements for my career choices, I managed to identify a number of colleges and universities offering courses in the three career possibilities. These are:
Banking
- Albany State University-School of Business
- Baylor University – Hankamer School of Business
- California State University
Financial Management
- Anderson Graduate School of Management
- Boston University School of Management
- Clark University Graduate School of Management
Human Resource Management
- Andrews University School of Business
- Bradley University Foster College of Business Administration
- California State University- Bakersfield School of Business & Public Administration
Source: (Penn State, par.1-13).
Conclusion
The essay has given an in-depth plan of my future career possibilities in the fields of banking, financial management, and human resource management. It comprises the various ways of identifying these career possibilities, the economic rationale of the three career possibilities, their academic requirements and the Colleges & Universities offering courses in the three career possibilities.
Works Cited
Bureau of Labor Statistics. Career guide to industries, 2010-2011. The United States.
Department of Labor. 2009. Web.
Penn State. Mahal resources on education in the USA. 2002. Web.