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Michael Hornsby

OGL 498 Pro-Seminar II

Dr. Kirsch

4/28/17

Career Plan

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Section 1: Career Vision

Over time I see my career moving from an organizational to a protean career. I have worked for organizations my entire career and feel comfortable navigating the technical, social and political currents of organizations. Organizations have provided me with the structure to learn, develop, and hone my skills. I have learned how to manage organizational politics from trial and error, and through my coursework at ASU. In my career, I have worked under some great managers and leaders – and some really bad ones. I have gained invaluable knowledge from both.

Once I developed technical expertise to a point where I had a track record for quality work, I began focusing on my ability to manage staff and external vendors. I began to enjoy this aspect of my job and soon realize that leading others is what I’d rather be doing than the technical aspects. For my career to have upward mobility and growth, I needed to manage the “plumber”, not be the “plumber”. I also knew I needed to complete my college education. I had tried a few times in the past to leave my organization for others. I was challenged as I had reached a “glass ceiling” without my college degree. I missed significant opportunities without it, and made the decision to return to college. My organization supported me and paid my tuition.

Studying Organizational Leadership - while working as a manager in an organization - has provided me with an enriching experience. It has afforded me an opportunity to apply theories and concepts, to share my views on an academic level regarding leadership and management with my organization’s upper management, and to employ creative strategies that increase team performance, diffuse conflict, and encourage diversity. My education has given me a rich sense of confidence and self-esteem. It has emboldened me to think about my career and my options.

I have always desired flexibility from my organization to work from home as needed because I live in another state from my family. My organization relocated me to North Carolina so I must travel monthly to see them. I plan on moving back to Texas once I complete my degree. I desire to be more involved in the day to day activities of my daughter’s life. This aligns with my personal mission statement where I state, “I shall continue to develop myself as father to provide emotional, educational, developmental, and financial support. I will seek ways to enhance the bond between myself and my child through ample quality time and active engagement”.

My current organization has provided me flexibility to some extent, yet I feel the “call of the wild” - the urge to strike out on my own; to pursue an alternate path. I decided – supported by the OGL 498 course work - to take control of my career. As I am an older worker, a protean career will provide me with the flexibility and autonomy I desire. I need an enlargement of career space. My plan is to take consulting assignments to find ideal work in Texas. To find the ideal role, the textbook states it is important to identify good opportunities that are right for me, to use my network, and to make effective career decisions (Harrington, 2007, p. 61).

Job searching in another state has provided me with a challenge as employers prefer local candidates. My strategy is to reach out to my network to enlist assistance in my job search. I am seeking to consult as I formulate a plan to embark on my entrepreneurial venture. Some challenges I might face would be adjusting to the lack of health benefits at a time when my health needs may be at their highest, and the stress that comes with being a short-term worker (Harrington, 2007, p. 192).

My BHAG has always been to own and manage my own business. I like the ideas of being independent, having control over my day to day activities, competing in the marketplace, and having a work-life balance that I control. A protean career is the only way for me to have happiness in what I do. I have a strong need to “be fully active in an enterprise of my own creation where I can sink or swim on the merits of their personal ideas, abilities, personality and drive” (Career Anchor Descriptions, N.A.). For me to have the opportunity to have the freedom and flexibility - and to be in command of my own destiny - is paramount for me.

Section 2: Long-Term Strategy

My BHAG has always been to be independent, financially secure, and calling my own shots. I am at a point where I feel smothered by the organizational career path where the flexibility and autonomy is limited. For financial independence and security, it would best for me to strike out on my own. However, I cannot accomplish this without completing my undergraduate studies and earning a degree. While I have over 25 years of information technology experience, I have been hindered in my protean desires by not having a degree.

My first step towards my long-term aspirations is to complete my course work and graduate in Summer 2017 from ASU. Immediately thereafter, I intend to move to Houston, Texas where my family resides so I can fulfill my sub-identities, and my mission of caring and supporting my family.

I will need to pursue an organizational career path and re-establish myself. While re-establishing myself, I will be working to refine my business plan. This activity will be concurrent throughout my short-term goals of re-establishing by finding a residence and reconnecting with my network of friends and colleagues. Many of whom are on a senior level in their careers, and I may need to call on them to fulfill my ambitions. This desire to establish connections is being fueled in part by my entrepreneurial aspirations. I am keenly aware that one needs to network to increase their net worth.

Fulfilling the need to “call my own shots” is what drives me to pursue my own business. My happiness is deeply rooted in me being able to make the choices and decisions that impact the performance of my organization. Driving innovation, being creative, and departing my vision to others will provide me with a satisfaction that an organization cannot provide.

The organization I own will be a men’s grooming service. The organizational environment is one of luxury and comfort. The environment is exposed brick walls with rustic wood accents, metal and exposed ceiling. There are oversized leather chairs, low lighting, flat screen TVs, and sports images paraphernalia. Art, classic film posters, black and white photography and other design elements create a relaxing decor. My vision is clearly expressed and departed to staff. The culture of the organization is open and employees are encouraged to express ideas and to recommend changes. I value those who work for me and show them respect. My employee’s satisfaction is important so that my customer satisfaction standards are met. People are acknowledged and rewarded for their contributions.

I will expand and open other locations in upscale strip malls located in urban cities with large populations. My staff will be comprised of mostly women and will ensure I have policies in place that support working mothers. From my OGL course work, I learned to identify gender bias and issue policies to prevent it. I also learned the value of diversity - and know that not only is it the ethical thing to promote - but it makes fiscal sense as well.

My living situation will be a townhome near downtown Houston with a 3-car garage. The area offers parks to bike ride or jog and there are trendy shops and restaurants nearby. I often jog the streets of my neighborhood and I am acquainted with most neighbors. I have a live in significant. My significant other and I travel often and we make time for each other to keep our romance fresh. I have a daughter who is 18 and is finishing high school before heading off to college.

My current financial situation will be positive. My personal net to debt ratio will be low. My business locations in Houston are in the black and afford me the opportunity to expand. I am interested in franchising and seeking partners to open locations in other cities.

Integrating my work-life will be challenging as I will love what I do. This may cause a strain on the relationship with my significant other. I will have to be proactive with making time for her and family.

Milestones

|Professional |Timeframe in Years |

|Milestones | Y1 |Y2 |Y3 |Y4 |

|Graduate from ASU with OGL degree | | | | |

|Find gainful employment in Houston | | | | |

|Developing and completing business plan | | | | |

|Secure funding | | | | |

|Secure licenses and permits | | | | |

|Locate retail space | | | | |

|Hire staff | | | | |

|Secure health plan for staff | | | | |

|Build out interior and branding | | | | |

|Opening day and media event | | | | |

|Secure funding for a second location | | | | |

|Offer franchising opportunities | | | | |

|Expand services to include barbering and | | | | |

|Open flagship location at Houston’s upscale mall | | | | |

|Open Brooklyn location | | | | |

|Personal |Timeframe in Years |

|Milestones | Y1 |Y2 |Y3 |Y4 |

|Graduate from ASU with OGL degree | | | | |

|Find gainful employment in Houston | | | | |

|Develop IT skill set with supplemental training | | | | |

|Filing business entity with the State of Texas | | | | |

|Actively manage my health and well-being | | | | |

|Nurture my daughter through adolescence | | | | |

|Gain flexibility and autonomy | | | | |

|Gain financial security | | | | |

Section 3: The 1 – 2 year plan

The first goal that is imperative to my BHAG is to relocate back to Texas. I have been wanted to move back for the last few years, but with my company paying for my education 100%. Now that I am completing my degree, I am free to leave. In preparation, I sold my house. I am subletting an apartment for three month so that I will be free to leave NC at any time. I have initiated my job search in Texas. I have submitted my resume to some job sites and I am actively seeking for positions I may be well suited for. Some roles I am applying to are: IT Manager, Technical Project Manager, or Director of IT. I am seeking the ideal work but I may be willing to compromise if it allows me to move back to Texas. In order to find I deal work I am My challenge has been securing interview as my resume reflects I live outside the state. Some potential hirers will seek only local candidates. This is why securing a professional recruiter could be helpful. It’s important for me to maintain a positive outlook and attitude as they transition may take longer than I expect. My personal vision statement value of mine is “faith and confidence; never doubt”. I will hold true to my values and aggressively pursue opportunities in Texas.

| |24 Months |24 Months |

|Tasks |1 |

|Brainstorm on steps to | |

|relocate to Houston from NC | |

|Consider fiscal impact to me| |

|and family | |

|Update and revise resume | |

|Reformat resume and check | |

|for continuity | |

|Post resume on all major | |

|sites | |

|Set up daily email alerts | |

|for job notices | |

|Monitor emails daily | |

|Accept career offer | |

|Tasks |1 |

|Create idea board | |

|Write a business plan | |

|Draft mission and vision | |

|statements | |

|Obtain capital start business | |

|Ensure funds available and being | |

|managed wisely | |

1. Perform daily sales performance review | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Monitor and control costs | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Supervise and mentor employees | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Marketing | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Payroll | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Find new ways to expand the business

1. Franchise | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Perform SWOT Analysis | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

Section 4: Pro-Seminar Summary Reflection

Both OGL 498 Pro-Seminar I and II provided me an opportunity to integrate my thinking about my career management, my work-life balance, and my overall life design. What impacted me the most was the thematic analysis and career plan. These courses offered me the opportunity to identify my espoused theories versus my theories-in-use. They offered me the opportunity through self-assessments to identify my core beliefs, values, identity and goals. These courses allowed me to narrow my focus on what types of careers that I am best suited for. These courses forced me to clearly identify my skills, career objectives and develop an articulate plan to obtain my goals. I am applying a “flywheel” approach by making small incremental steps to gain momentum. I recognize the value in continuous development and will prioritize it throughout my career. Only by following my own path will I be able to satisfaction in career and personal lives.

My e-portfolio is my greatest artifact from my OGL coursework and is something that I can continue to build upon. I feel that it reflects of who I am and it is a tool I will use to bolster my protean career. It allowed me to display my creativity and my knowledge. It also revealed my talent for web design.

The Pro-Seminar experience was great at providing tools and concepts for the student learner and provided me with an opportunity to be integrative in my thinking and approach to organizational leadership. The only suggestion I would make to more effectively structure the course would be to break some the assignments down as they require large amounts of time and managing the rigors of the course can be frantic. I realize that this may be difficult to do, but it’s easy for a student to become overwhelmed with the course work from this course and another class. I do appreciate the articulate and pointed feedback which provided me with a focus and points to reflect on, as I worked to discover myself through the OGL Pro Seminar course work.

References

Harrington, B. (05/2007). Career Management & Work-Life Integration: Using Self-Assessment to Navigate Contemporary Careers, 1st Edition. [Bookshelf Online]. Retrieved from

Motivation and Career Anchor Assessment. Retrieved from:

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