Career Exploration Project: PArt 2 was an essay on the research about field of interest.

Being Successful means doing well in school and getting good grades. That implies that I would have a decent to good inclination as to what is going on and how well I’m processing the information I’m learning. I’m extremely hard on myself and because the material will be new, study habits need to be formed, molded and perfected to the way I learn best. I come home to my motivation every day and reminds me that even though I can’t spend as much time as I’d like that putting the time for my career is for her. Being Successful also means making money in terms of providing for my family and maintaining the lifestyle they are accustomed to. In order to do this, I need a highly paid job with job security or a career that will still be needed within future decades.  This is where the goal setting comes in for me, because my goals are set pretty high with hopes of finding a job I can grow with and expand upon (as stated in my resume) – helping not only myself but others, as well. Being Successful means being your best every day. Being successful means whatever you set out to do, you do the best you can do. Helping someone for their benefit and not yours – this will open networks (needed for most careers) and spread my name and my companies positively throughout the community.

My short term goals for the next five years are to do well in school, while maintaining my full-time job and taking care of my daughter. This will take me more time than a normal student to accomplish because I can’t take on too many courses at once. Doing well for me means straight A’s and nothing less. My mid-term goals for the next five years are to find a job within my field to work or intern for a while continuing my education for this field. This experience will show me what areas of study need more improvement and a great reference for my Resume. My long term goal for the next five years is to find a career I can stick with throughout coming decades. I prefer job security, which Accounting has to offer. Knowing that I will grow with a company and do the best work I can for them would be a dream. I will look to continuing any education that is needed, like a graduate school or a Master’s degree, for Accounting, while working for an Internal Accountant until I pass my CPA to become a public accountant. This would be perfect for me due to the fact I love learning and being challenged and useful at the same time.

Failure motivates me. I will not allow myself to fail, anymore. I have people in my life that depend on me and I cannot let them down. My daughter, for one is the greatest motivational support I have. The innocence kills me, it’s not fair. I strive to be the person and hard worker my father showed my sister and I, and now I have to show Genevieve. Besides providing for my family and showing them the work ethic this family was raised on, I enjoy helping people and the environment. I have always been a people pleaser and encourage change. Problems motivate me to find a solution, much like Accountants. If something is bothering me, I cannot rest until I find a couple of ways to fix that problem in the most beneficial way for all parties.

My greatest value is that I never give up on a subject or event that I’m passionate about. I am so used to having quality control jobs where I locate a problem and then proceed to fix it. No matter how aggravating or how the problem seems or how frustrating it is to work through I always prevail. Moving forward is the only option and my confidence helps me with this. Like aforementioned, failure (considered a grade under an A) is not acceptable, moreover I will always double and triple check my work before I speak and handing in a paper. Making the work fun helps that process, and I am very good at that. Making people happy, or smile, is a factor of making the work fun. In both the majors I have looked into would cover all of these points. Accounting, whether it be managing or auditing touches on all of this. There is job security and I would strive in a business field, interacting with my clients and colleagues. Even more so, Nuclear Engineering touches on this I feel hundredfold. Nuclear Engineering really interests me and I would feel accomplished, elevating my confidence making the work more interesting. Though, maybe not interacting with clients, but knowing I am indirectly effecting their lives is powerful for me to be a part of.

I use a calendar for appointment dates and other major projects or papers that are due. Because of the First Year Experience course I have noticed taking projects and papers in baby steps really helps and don’t realize how far along you get just taking the project in strides. Because a calendar doesn’t have that much room for details like homework, I use a personal planner that my college Three Rivers Community College provides. This helps me a lot because all of my course work due for the next class is all in one place. A good idea, may be to tape the calendar into the planner so both minor and major work is in one place – just separated. With this method, it can easily be transitioned into daily life; whether it’s work or personal, like family matters, appointments and specific dates. All the information would be in one place that a person can carry with them. Using a to-do list is also a practical method I learned while in First Year Experience. Although I have not used this method much, I can start practicing and see if my time is better managed. I would try this method because checking off the work that has been completed is my favorite part because it makes me feel like I’ve accomplished a task and that’s a good feeling.

I am self-aware because I know what I am good and bad at. I know my strengths, finding problems and problem-solving are embedded in the way I function and Accounting is founded on this type of work. I am a hard worker meaning, once I set my mind to something I won’t give up until I know enough information to make an informed decision about the subject. I know that I could be more prepared for class by reviewing notes and assignments before and after class, instead of stimulating my mind into a different direction. Accountants are multi-taskers, and I feel I can compete on their level. And multi-tasking is something I am good at. Multiple projects get stressful but are manageable and with time management skills that I have learned in First Year Experience has really helped me get through some difficult tasks.

Because I have a High School Diploma/GED equivalent I could find a job in the field of interest within the branch and financial department of Accounting. Most of the people I have asked said I needed a Bachelor’s Degree (that I am pursuing) and a couple have told me I need to know someone. Currently, I have not found a company that would offer to train me. So with some college experience and course work under my belt, I can take my updated resume and transcript from Three Rivers Community College and see where I qualify and what courses are still needed. I would most likely be able to find a job within the Accounting field before Millstone Nuclear Power Plant would take me in to work for them, because of all the courses I have not taken. The knowledge required for the Power Plant in Waterford is so new to me, I am scared to pursue this career. Though once I hand in the Scholarship form and have the individual interview with them, will calm my nerves and make me feel better about my career choice. Being proactive for both of these Major’s and careers is a must. Meaning I would have to research information on my own for a better understanding of what I’m getting myself into.

Chemical Engineering or Nuclear Engineering, because math and science run predominantly in my family. Thriving in Analyzing and testing subjects to come out with a result that benefits others in a positive way. I’m also interested in the environment which is beneficial to people, that some may not realize. Finding problems and solutions to those problems definitely fits my needs and interests, too. Again, in Accounting they find where the error in financial matters is and they fix it, or manage a problem and delegating work on to others until a solution that fits all parties is negotiated. I am excellent with that. But also, what I’m most interested in is finding the best solution to the power problem humans have now. Nuclear power is based on a non-renewable resource and making extreme hazardous waste. In order to fix this problem, I need to learn the processes that occur inside and out and then proceed to finding a solution in Chemical Engineering about it. There is a compromise between living in luxury and maintaining a healthy atmosphere, but we have been accustomed to living in one way for so long, without an influential speaker to raise this problem’s awareness, future generations will likely be destroyed if not hard shipped. A double major would be in my best interest, for job security but also to go after my main goal, Nuclear Engineering.

I will need to learn everything in order to obtain a Nuclear Engineer Associate’s Degree and a CPA license for Accounting. I am now just starting with general education to pass the basic knowledge courses and then build upon that for a Higher Level of Thinking that this course, First Year Experience, has taught. Because I have passed these courses, I can now move on to the higher levels of math and economics. Principles of Accounting is a good start and will familiarize me with the basic information I will need for the Accounting Degree. And because Nuclear Engineering mandates a Chemistry course and Accounting offers a Natural Science elective with a lab, I will be getting credit for both majors while feeling out the material for both subjects. The ultimate goal is to receive my CPA for Accounting and/or finding a solution for extracting toxins out of animals and/or working within the Nuclear Community Committee to find a better solution for generating power.

To make myself more marketable for this, I can volunteer cleaning the community or helping at a soup kitchen, being a part of an organization that helps people and the environment to add to my Resume. Further, I can be aware of scientific events and new technology/findings within the chemistry/scientific community. I will need more training and education possibly before I find a group/organization that will take me and advise me accordingly. I will network with various people within the business/financial community and attain more knowledge on what they say to make themselves more persuasive and how they interact with crowds of people/public speaking. Attending fundraisers, galas, and the like will attract the type of people I should be looking for, as well going to the city and speaking directly to Accountants and financial advisers. Going and speaking to different colleges will give me a better understanding of where to go and who to see and talk to about this further.

From my interview with my cousin, who is still currently in college to become CPA certified, and the Best Jobs Overview resource both stated that “166,700 new accounting and auditing jobs with open up by 2022.” (U.S World News) From an insider’s point of view, my cousin, Jordan, said that the career is looking for more female employees for reasons unknown. Everyone who has finances should use a financial adviser and this is why job security with this career is provided. For nuclear engineering, James Sherrard stated that he is not worried about his department decommissioning (closing in nuclear terms) any time soon. Because I am so interested in this subject, any area of science/chemistry/environmental studies pertaining to the field in which deal with nuclear waste and such would be a miracle. The market for renewable/non-renewable resources is a major topic right now, and one that will provide many jobs/careers for in the future due to the severity of this topic.

The skills needed for these subjects are an enjoyment to continue education and learning. To be able to listen to what someone is trying to portray, and reacting, sometimes, compromising, in a manner that benefits both parties in the end result. A high level of math, memorizing number/elemental patterns and communicate effectively are both major components of both fields of interest.

Andru Blake (friend): -Effective communicator, good at talking and getting my point across. Persuasive, gives people her opinion and is able to make the listener side with her.

-Honest. Gives the bad news first and the good news later to make it seem alright.

-Motivating. Lifts people up but “not in a cheesy way”. Almost inspirational. Facilitates change.

-Survivor. Has survival instincts and can get things done.

Thinks it’s a good idea for me to pursue the career path of Accounting because my character goes along well with what an Accountant would need to do.

Diane Snider (Mom): - Hardworking, when given a task I work hard to complete it striving for perfection in every way possible.

-Loyal. Business loyalty – devoted to my work and trusted amongst my superiors.

-Focused. Is able to stay on one or more tasks simultaneously and complete them in stride.

Thinks it wonderful that I’m pursuing an Accounting Degree and further my college education. Will be a good secure job to be able to provide for my daughter and feel accomplished with my life.

Jina Jung (Boss): - Hardworking. Is always keeping herself busy and does a good job with managing the store by herself.

-Reliable. Is always available to come in as scheduled for on short notice. Punctual.

-Sensible/Reasonable. Knows how to react to customers/clients and communicate. Is aware of the industry she works in and what is needed to complete tasks and purchases accordingly. Is a highly motivated individual.

My boss thinks my college career path is excellent. Though she knows I will no longer be working for her anymore, has confidence that I will train the next employee just as I would handle the task at hand.

The career exploration project has helped open my eyes to the studies I will have to take in order to move on further in the course work and field. This project has helped me decide that I want to double major in two different areas, one for job security, Accounting, and one that really interests me wholeheartedly, Nuclear Engineering. Only taking general education courses thus far gives me hope I will someday make it to my field of interest courses, though for right now putting together the basics to my portfolio are what’s necessary to obtain a higher level education. Due to this project, I have learned so much more about accounting than before. For example, the difference between public and private accountants and what their specific jobs are but also that private accountants work for the government and are not required to take the CPA exam. I knew accountants had to be good with communicating information back and forth, but did not realize most of them talk directly to clientele. I learned that economics is an essential part of accounting and I will need to be proactive in my college career to further understand work or courses that is new, or that gives me trouble. Accounting seems to be a great career for me because of the fact that I’m a good communicator, managing finances, advising people, and delegating work,

I need to monitor my goals carefully and set priorities now that I am thinking about a double major. Pacing myself with my new studies in addition to building upon what I already know will be a detrimental part of my success, because if I pile on too much I may become overwhelmed and not focus on important parts of my field(s).

 I’ve learned a lot about myself and how people view me doing this project. I knew I was detail-oriented from my Resume when I managed a team of people putting together the press kits for the 2011 Oscars at Madame Paulette in New York City, along with overseeing major accounts, for billing purposes, for companies but also a good manager when I had to manage my co-workers. I also have leadership abilities because I have trained perspective employees for hire and was in charge of following-up calls and networking. I did not know that people thought I was so honest, loyal and trustworthy.