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Career Planning Project

LDR 610- Career Development and Mentoring

Baheejah Lumumba
Siena Heights University

Career Planning Project

Table of Contents
1. Professional Background
2. Communication
3. Analysis
4. Synthesis
5. Valuing
6. Execution
7. Communication
8. References

Career Planning Project

Professional Background:
Something significant was happening during the first part of my career, I was living
my values. I was fortunate to experience two exciting careers that peaked my interest and, which
I was passionate about. My first career began in 1985 working in a funeral home while, attending
Wayne State School of Mortuary Science. While I was there I learned valuable lessons which
helped in my personal growth and development (e.g., respecting others, patience)
The primary duty of the embalmer is: to disinfect, preserve, and restore the dead with
dignity respect, and efficiently. These steps help protect the public against diseases and the
family pain will be lessened. It was my duty to create a memory picture: an illusion of pleasant,
restful sleep the transition from life to death easier for the family and friends to accept. The field
gave me feelings of gratification and self worth because I was helping families during their time
of need.
My career in funeral service quickly changed when my mother became ill; and passed away
suddenly from cancer, My role as a funeral director ceased, I became an owner of a fast paced
restaurant in a matter of days, The business was located inside the New Center One building
across from the world headquarters of General Motors, It was a life changing experience
because, owning a business challenges a persons skills, abilities, creativity, and determination.
I was fortunate the business grew and prospered for sixteen years after my moms death.
However, when General Motors pulled their operations from the New Center area to downtown
Detroit it greatly impacted my business and I was not in the position to experience the Cognitive
Information Processing, or CIP, approach (Peterson, Sampson, & Reardon, 1991). The concept

Career Planning Project

is based on how a person process different kinds of knowledge in their career to solve problems.
I went straight to a new job a month after my closed business I was employed by a call center
and a retail store working as a customer service representative. It was during this period that I
begun to experience high levels of stress, frustration, and discouragement and the freedom to
choose; I had a mortgage to consider and two children to educate in college and the other in high
school I felt as if my choices were limited.
Reardon, Lenz, Sampson, & Peterson ( 2009, p.63 ) found it is important for us to
concentrate on completing each phase of the CASVE Cycle in order to successfully solve career
problems and make career decisions. However, without any real direction a person can hit a
wall and have further discontent which I had experienced.
Communication
After years of working two low paying jobs I decided now is the time to focus on myself;
the kids have completed college and my level of stress has not change, Based on my past
experiences, I knew a change was necessary I struggled with the idea of returning to school or
start a new business. I originally wanted to pursue a career in medicine however, reflecting on
chemistry and the time it will take to complete medical school I realized that was not the best
option.
I had to make a decision on what I wanted to do. I realized how helpful I was to my staff
especially, in dealing with their personal problems and conflict resolution issues, I am aware of
my skills that are valuable as a human resource manager therefore, I decided to return to
graduate school. My goal in graduate school is to gain the academic foundation and knowledge
that will enhance my ability to earn a degree and provide me with the opportunity to use my
business skills on a professional level.

Career Planning Project

By obtaining my degree in Organization Leadership, I will be able to motivate people
towards a positive goal and direction. I expect this course to help prepare me for the unexpected
work and life changes by teaching me better tools and concepts needed for contingency planning.
The course of action plan will help me to develop a set of skills I can use to minimize the impact
of becoming obsolete.
I can learn to adopt a strategy that will encourage long- term thinking instead of the here
and now_ type of thinking. I realize that I need to become more adaptable in order to grow- and
by learning to think differently I can become more creative in achieving goals. (Reardon, Lenz,
Sampson, & Peterson 2009, 59-60) This is the knowing I need a make a choice phrase, When
you become fully aware of the problem and gap and can no longer ignore them, you will begin to
analyze the sources of the problem and explore its causes.
Analysis
Upon receiving my degree in Organization Leadership, I would like to work in the area of
human resources because of my interest in building relationships and production. Ultimately, I
will gain the ability to communicate effectively and initiate a change and solution for a
companys needs and concerns by implementing a collaborative and inspired team. The
principles and skills I have learned, have enhanced my ability to be an effective leader by
understanding the importance of having integrity and a good character.
I will gain exceptional skills such as strategic planning, organizational design and
development. Such skills will allow me to grow effective teams in the workforce by ensuring
that both their direct reports and their leaders are treated with respect and honesty, I found
leadership to be a position for people to have the opportunity to earn credibility and trust.
My experience has allowed me to network and establish respectful- business relationships

Career Planning Project

with large companies such as, General Motors and Henry Ford Health Care Systems. In doing so,
I gained the opportunity to join others and explore new ideas and business strategies that helped
me to develop a higher order critical thinking skills and conflict resolutions as related to the
community.
For example, community service was provided when I allotted my establishment to be used
by community advocate to fulfill a mission for disadvantage teens. As a contributor, I provided
food, drinks and other necessities that helped to support their cause. While, reflecting on my life
experiences, and interest I would say that I am in the social category (Holland, 1997, p.18 -19)
RIASEC, model suggested that interests were another way of describing personality
characteristics and that it is a broader concept of personality that was most important in
occupational choice. I try to notice what others need in their lives and I try to provide it. I found
the information from the RIASEC model does apply to my decision making and outlook on life,
Evidence supports my finding based on my past positions and the career in which I am most
interested. Especially, with my career choice therefore, this will allow me to have the autonomy
needed to put my plans into fruition, I consider myself to be in the Valuing phase of the CASVE
Cycle.
Synthesis
I begun my process in March of 2014 by volunteering for a local hospital, My participation
was in their human resource department, where I learned valuable tools and information
regarding their employees health plans and benefits for union and non- union employees. I have
a mentor who works in the field of human resources- She has been featured in Pension and
Advisor magazine, presented at the Pension XXXX council and the New York Life Insurance
annual conference, and shared her expertise with employees of the consulting company Towers

Career Planning Project

Watson.
In my efforts to become successful I plan to join LinkedIn and other social media sites, I
plan to join the Society for Human Resource Management Organization where I can utilized
their services for obtaining job leads, training, and certification requirements. I will explore my
options by obtaining information through the U.S. Department of Labor where employment
statistics, and career information are available,
I can sign up to received news letters from potential employers, professional
organizations, attend workshops, and obtain information for continuous education hours which
can be achieved while deciding on the direction that will best suit me. The field of Organization
Leadership has a variety of choices: health service manager, education administration and
director of strategic planning, and operations management. This degree will allow me to choose
from a diverse sector opportunities while building my career and - becoming a strong leader in
the field of choice.
Valuing
I would also like to volunteer my time by working with a youth organization. My focus
will be on ensuring that youth have the information and tools to make the best financial
decisions. I want to raise their awareness of how to make decisions that will have a dramatic- and
positive impact on them. My goal is to teach them how to develop good work and spending
ethics.
They will learn that they can enjoy earning and spending money but, they will become wiser
with it. Specifically, I will help them to recognize and acquire the technique of delayed
gratification instead of instant gratification. They will be encouraged to deter away from the
overwhelming peer pressure and false hopes in society that leads to spontaneous, over spending.

Career Planning Project

Subsequently, my goal is to teach them that there are great opportunities to come when they
begin early investing in their future.
The government is becoming less inclined to help people and social organizations who
have not prepared themselves financially. I am particularly concerned with the socio-economical,
poverty rate and its impact on our society, and the negative impact that has captured children
whose families are unemployed or under- employed. In these cases, I would like to make a
difference in their lives and change their perspective on economic growth and finances.
Finally, by obtaining my degree in Organization Leadership, I will be able to motivate
people towards a positive goal and direction that is geared for their lives- Therefore, the cost and
benefit of me receiving an education far out weight; for, not having the necessary skills to help
advance others, considering my values, I can prioritize my responsibilities and interest.
Reardon, Lenz, Sampson, & Peterson, (2009 p.16 ) found A persons well-being and selfesteem are highest when that person lives according to his or her values. This resonates with me
because people are torn between their financial responsibilities or- another situation that can
deter - them from achieving their goals. However, at some point, people have to clarify what is
most important- and knowing that it will make a difference in making a career decision.
Execution
The execution phase in the CASVE Cycle pertains to the ability to think in a logical series
of steps in order to implement a choice (Reardon, Lenz, Sampson, & Peterson p.75). One of the
main reasons individuals learn to develop career plans is to center their attention on managing
their goals. I plan to develop an effective resume and cover letter by highlighting my skills and
credentials- I will build my profile by getting connected on LinkedIn and other social media
sites, and by attend workshops, job fairs, and seminars. I will continue to take advantage of the

Career Planning Project

job posting sites specific to my field such as: humanresource.about.com, indeed.com, or
monster.com I will join the Society for Human Resource Management because they have
excellent learning tools for professionals interested in the human resource field and provide an
outline for taking the exam for certification and a job posting site. I feel confident in joining the
organization because their mission is to help build competencies in the field of human resource.
I have started by talking with my mentor Kathy Littleton and others in the human resource
field in order to gain a broader knowledge of the field, especially from diverse industries like
health care, manufacturing, and retail, I have already begun by volunteering at a local hospital in
their H.R. department as of March of 2014, I currently- train the new hires in our customer
service department which provides me an opportunity to communicate job goals and job
expectations to others, requirement by H.R. professionals.
For these reasons it is my desire to obtain my degree, I will be able to assist and serve
others in their job market search; and be able to communicate strategies for implementing a
collaborative inspired team I anticipate it will take me a considerable amount of time to obtain
employment in this field perhaps up to a year due to my lack of experience in human resources,
additional training and internships will be necessary in order for me to secure a position in the
field.
Communication
According to ( Reardon, Lenz, Sampson,& Peterson, 2009, p.73 ) The communication
phase in the CASVE Cycle pertain to expectations for successful resolution of a career problem
and recognizing that career problems are simply a part of living in our society. For example,
positive thoughts in the Communication phase enables people to fully appreciate all of the
feelings that are associated with the career problem, such as hopefulness, people will often used

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Career Planning Project

this as a way to measure their decisions and to eliminate unrealistic goals. Gysbers, (1983) found
career development is an instrument plan to provide a place for people to record their interest and
values, it should be used as a tool to become an organizer because, it will allow individuals an
opportunity to itemize their skills.
No matter where a person is in life the ICP theory can be introduced as a way a person can
become more focused on their career strategies; By using the ICP theory, students can learn to
make the necessary changes for improvement also and be able to identify strategies on what they
can do well. The components of the ICPs are the essential identification of the self- knowledge
skill ( Gysbers, 2008, p. 7 ). After careful understanding of the ICP theory I am now confident
with my career decision.
Conclusion
I am happy to become close to completing the graduate program from Siena Heights
University and, I am encouraged by the recent report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
where the labor force is projected to grow 0.5 percent per year from 2012 to 2022, compared
with an annual growth rate of 0.7 percent during the 2002-12 decade. However, due to the aging
baby-boom generation, workers ages 55 and older are expected to make up over one-quarter of
the labor force in 2022 bls.gov.
According to a report by AARP (2007,) there are several factors that are influencing older
adults willingness to continue to work and include changes in retirement programs, healthcare
benefits, and the dwindling resources to support their retirement incomes. My biggest concerns
are age discrimination and keeping abreast in technology- I will continually need to be engaged
in training and retaining in order to remain relevant in the workforce. My concerns coincides
with a report by AARP (2007), that indicated that age discrimination is a serious concern and the

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Career Planning Project

single largest barrier confronted by people 50+years who wish to remain employed.
I am satisfied with my career choice and I feel confident with the process in which I used in
making my career development plan, Often people process their career directions differently and
in doing so- they have difficulty making a decision Super, (1980, p.18), found there are
geographical and biographical influences that effect a person during their career planning,- and
are influenced by their life experiences, maturity and development.
Super, (1980) rainbow model was designed to explain the difference in people in their
personality and social beliefs, Banks, (2006, p. 47) found after joining the workplace, women
and diverse individuals must emphasize extensive planning and execution of strategy in three
distinct career phase entry, sustainability, and advancement. The finding suggest that there are
internal factors to be considered for those who have an desire to succeed- and anyone expecting a
career change should include extensive planning and training.
Especially, after joining and organization because organizations and- their employees are
equally responsible for developing a career plan that will be beneficial for itself and its
employees( Banks 2006, p 47 ). However, much of what we see today is finding new ways to
stay current- by having a broad range of skills that can help secure a job. Given the amount of
choices, career centers, resource centers, and career development theories I feel confident that I
will succeed in securing a position.

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Career Planning Project

References
Banks, C.H. (Forth coming 2006,) An Inclusive approach to career planning:
Women and racial minorities. In M. Karsten (ED) gender, race, and ethnicity
in the workplace Connecticut, Greenwood publishing group inc.
Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Department of Labor January 13, 2015 Retrieved from
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecopro.pdf
Gysbers, N.C. (1983,) Create and use an individual career development plan. Athens, GA:
Vocational Education, the Ohio State University.
Gysbers, N. C. (2008) Individual students planning in the United States: rational, practices, and
results. Asian Journal of counseling, 2, 117-139.
Reardon, R. Lenz, J. Sampson, J. & Peterson, G. ( 2009 ) Career Development and Planning
A Comprehensive Approach ( Third ed.) Mason OH: Cenage Learning
Super, D. E. (1980). A life-span, life-space approach to career development: Journal of
Vocational Behavior, 16, 282-298
AARP. Perspective of employers, workers,- and policymakers in the G7 countries on the new
demographics realities 2007 Author. Retrieved January 14, 2008 from
http://www.aarpinternational.org/usr_doc/intl_older_worker.pdf

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Career Planning Project

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Career Planning Project