Individual Report and Personal Development Plan-My Career Dreams (Essay Sample)

Individual Report and Personal Development Plan-My Career Dreams
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Individual Report and Personal Development Plan-My Career Dreams
Introduction
In light of the current economic uncertainty and prevalent organizational restructuring, many of the assumptions that have underpinned the traditional definition of career have become obsolete. Nowadays, it’s becoming profoundly difficult for both organizations and companies to conceptualize the notion of a rational and long-term series of work-based experiences. Thus, there is no longer a concise and mutual understanding of the meaning of career to both. This report argues that organizations and individuals can meaningfully define the concept of career by reviewing its broad range of theoretical underpinnings.
Section 1- My personal definition of career
In our everyday discussions, the word career is understood to denote the series of work-related encounters and experiences over the course of our working lifetime. In my understanding, a career differs from a job, as it also evokes images of logical and even steady progression up the organizational hierarchies. Career not only refers to what you do for a living, but also what you have done, what you are doing now, and what you might do in the future. Therefore, the idea of career encompasses the aspect of time. According to Hughes (1995), time is a central theme in the definition of career.
Section 2- My Role Model(s)
Explain who your role models are and why they mean so much to you
One of the surest and most effective ways to enhance your character is through finding worthy individual(s) to emulate as role models (Lebell, 2011). As a young and energetic gentleman who is zealous about inspiring people’s lives, Zig Ziglar remains my all-time role model. I respect his teachings, books and nuggets as a source of inspiration. My father also stands out as my big support and model.
What is it about them that you admire?
I admire Zig Ziglar as my role model because he portrayed the traits and skills I have always wanted to develop. Throughout his writings and recordings, Ziglar promotes the skills of self-determination and attaining the most out of one’s life. He talks to both professionals and inspiring youngsters on how to live full and die empty. Both of these great individuals are willing to share with others how they achieved their professional and personal goals and how they approach disappointments, challenges, and obstacles in life.
Both of them have demonstrated a clear sense of purpose in life. Zig Ziglar has served as a leading marketer and motivator in people’s lives. He has shaped the lives and careers of millions of people. I find my dad as someone who clearly understands and knows who he is.
In what ways do you think they have influenced you and your career dreams?
My dad has especially helped me to grow and mature as a man. He has always offered me advice and guidance and real-world illustrations on how I can attain my full success in life. Both of them have been resourceful in helping me identify bad habits and negative aspects of the personality. Through their encouragements and demonstrated approach to life, I have enhanced my confidence. All the values, interpersonal skills, objective analysis, and self-respect have enabled me to develop invaluable transferable skills.
How have they shaped your own ideas and aspirations?
They have helped me recognize my strengths, shun negative voices, and sharpened my perspective about life and ideologies. Through their inspirations, I am made to believe that the sky is the limit and that one is only limited his/her imaginations. I now know what motivates me, makes me happy, and the talents through which I can inspire and help others attain their dreams.
Section 4 - My Career Dreams
It has been a dream for me to make a change in my own life -and the life of others. I always believed that if I was given the chance to make a difference I would never be hesitated to leap at the opportunity and take a great advantage out of it. As a matter of fact, I chose to major in Human Resources because I am interested in managing people and helping them to be more productive and satisfied at the same time. Through the employee relation and motivational theories that I have been learning about, I believe that I am able to use the knowledge I gained to build a better working world. This is my career dream.
Section 5 - Challenges faced by women in UAE
What challenges do you think Emirati women who are older than you have faced in pursuing their career dreams?
Despite the achievements made so far, there are major challenges facing women in the UAE. Job opportunities remain one of the most fundamental challenges among this sub-population. Although 92% of women in the UAE get university education, there are still 18% of women who are not able to secure proper job opportunities. While there are 52% of women in the public sector employment, only 5% of them occupy leading positions.
Another key challenge is the need to juggle between work and parenting responsibilities. UAE women face pressure from the society to prioritize on roles as a wife and a parent over their careers.
What challenges do you think younger UAE women are likely to face?
The younger UAE women face the challenges of becoming mummy students. Women who are fresh graduates from high school face the predicament of whether to get married or proceed to university. In fact, some students opt for doing both. There is a growing population of university students who are either expectant or new mothers. It is an evident fact that balancing university education with parental responsibly is close to impossible for women even in other countries. However, as more and more women enrol in the UAE universities and continue to get married at quite a young age, expectant and student mothers on campuses are becoming prevalent.
The major challenge for such student mothers is coping with the weariness of raising a new-born. Having a baby, coupled with the inevitable deficiency in sleep, renders it quite difficult for them to focus on their studies. They made to employ dubious and unsafe means of survival, including cramming. To make things worse, the university is not well equipped to offer the facilities and even help them. The affected students are left to their parental roles: a fact that subjects them to constant worry about their children. In other times, they stay up all night and rarely afford the time to bond and socialize with their friends.
What challenges are YOU likely to face as you pursue your own career dreams?
Two aspects are critical in my own development and that of my career, i.e., sponsorship and mentoring. However, being over-mentored and under-sponsored can pose a great challenge in this pursuit. Mentoring denotes what transpires in my presence, but sponsorship refers to what happens whenever my voice is represented in my absence.
Personal Development Plan
Reflect again on what is it that you are hoping to achieve in your life (career dreams)?
My objectives and goals in life are to be happy and contented with what I am engaged in as my career. It is my passion to leave a positive mark in other people’s lives. As a human resource professional, I intend to help and nurture those who will endeavour to pursue this as their career. Through sharing my personal experience, knowledge and expertise, it is my zeal to offer my willing leadership and coaching.
What is the gap between where you are now and where you want to be?
Being a student, I haven’t achieved much of what I consider as my ultimate goals and objectives in life. I am still in the learning and experience phase of my journey. With a mere certificate in high school and IEL TS system, I believe much to cover regarding on-the-job experience and furthering studies.
What KSAs and experience will you need to help close this gap and take you closer towards your career dreams?<...