Career Plan

Career Development Project Five-Year Career Plan Alexis Lake Submission Date: 12/10/17

Table of Contents ¤ Introduction - 3

¤ Assumptions - 22

¤ Background Information - 4

¤ Constraints & Barriers - 23

¤ Personality Type – 6

¤ Project Management Approach - 24

¤ Project Approach – 9

¤ Issue Management – 30

¤ Goals & Objectives - 10

¤ Communications Plan - 31

¤ Scope - 13

¤ Evaluation Criteria - 34

¤ Budget – 14

¤ References – 36

¤ Risk Assessment - 16

¤ Appendix - 37

¤ Measures for Success -18 ¤ Milestones – 19

Introduction In thinking about the future and a career beyond Elmira College, it is important to map out a professional career plan for the next five-years.

This plan includes gaining a position in the communication and marketing field, earning a competitive salary, moving into a management position, and eventually focusing on overall strategy versus specific tactics. This plan also includes steps and milestones, as well as a set budget and salary range based on personal and professional objectives and goals.

However, one thing to always keep in mind is change. Being agile and open to change, challenges, and new opportunities will allow any career to grow, deepen, and diversify. This means that a career won’t ever follow a set plan. Yet, having general goals and objectives in mind creates stepping stones for an overall path of success and happiness.

Background Information • Attended Syracuse University S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications • Majored in Public Relations; Minored in Marketing • Graduated summa cum laude in 2011

• St. Joseph’s Hospital, Guthrie Health, Lockheed Martin, and the Everson Museum, Corning Museum of Glass • Completed throughout 2009 - 2011

• Corning Incorporated Communications Specialist focused on corporate branding, messaging, investor relations, video host, trade show and even planning • 2011 - 2015

Background Information - Continued • Corning Incorporated – Senior Marketing Communications Specialist focused B2B marketing for Corning® Gorilla® Glass for Automotive for interior and exterior applications as well as Corning® Fibrance® Light-Diffusing Fiber • 2015 - 2016

• Elmira College Communications and Marketing Assistant focused on promoting the College to prospective students as well as internal communications while earning a Master’s degree in Business Management • Started 2016; Contract Ends at Graduation: June 2018

• Currently focused on resume creation, networking, and looking for jobs in the Corning-Elmira-Ithaca area.

Personality Type: ESTJ • Outer focus on the world

• Logic and objectives based decision making

• Focus on the here and how, five senses

• Planned and organized approach to life

Personality Type: StandOut Creator

Equalizer

¤ “Make sense of the world, pulling it apart, seeing a better configuration, and creating it.”

¤ “Level-headed person whose power comes from keeping the world in balance, ethically and practically.”

¤ StandOut Assessment Results, 2017, p. 3

¤ StandOut Assessment Results, 2017, p. 3

Personality Type: StrengthsFinder ¤ Discipline: Structure and routine; order you create ¤ Strategic: Able to spot relevant patterns, issues, trends. ¤ Achiever: Stamina and satisfaction in being busy ¤ Restorative: Strong problem solving skills ¤ Empathy: Sense the feelings of others

¤ Rath, Tom, 1975- 2012 (2015). StrengthsFinder 2.0. New York: Gallup Press (Pages 1-6 of Self Assessment)

Project Approach ¤ Employing an agile approach will be essential for developing my career plan and future. ¤ Job opportunities come up unexpectedly, and I need to be prepared through strong resume and cover letter drafting. ¤ The jobs earned at Corning Incorporated and Elmira College were possible through networking and earning meaningful relationships at both organizations. Those individual relationships helped make introductions and connect me to the right hiring managers. ¤ I am confident through being agile, open to change, and networking, I will find my next opportunity.

Goals & Objectives ¤ Overall Career Goals: ¤ Continue to develop and maintain a strong career in communications and marketing, with skills that translate across B2B and B2C industries, and the non-profit sector. ¤ Ascend leadership ranks within an organization, or through entering new organizations, and move from tactical focus to a strategic focus. ¤ End of career, utilize master’s degree credential and teach the next-generation of communications professionals at an undergraduate level.

Goals & Objectives ¤ Overall Career Goals: ¤ Continue to develop and maintain a strong career in communications and marketing, with skills that translate across B2B and B2C industries, and the non-profit sector. ¤ Ascend leadership ranks within an organization, or through entering new organizations, and move from tactical focus to a strategic focus. ¤ End of career, utilize master’s degree credential and teach the next-generation of communications professionals at an undergraduate level.

Goals & Objectives ¤ Five-Year Career Objectives: ¤ Graduate summa cum laude from Elmira College with master’s degree in business management by June 2018. ¤ Earn a job in the communications and marketing field prior to or soon after graduation, with a deadline being August 2018. ¤ Maintain that role and ensure strong performance to earn a salary of at least $60,000 by the end of 2019. ¤ Manage and lead a team with at least two direct reports by the end of 2020. ¤ Grow or retain the team in alignment with strategic objectives of the organization; lead a hiring process start to finish by 2021. ¤ Move into a director or assistant director role focused on strategy, and less on tactical work or tasks by 2022.

Scope ¤ IN-SCOPE ¤ Roles in the communications and marketing field. ¤ Could be focused on internal or external communications. ¤ Industry type is also open and flexible. Anything is in scope from B2B, B2C or non-profit. Experienced in corporate and educational settings. ¤ Open to roles in human resources as well. Would look to gain additional certification from EC in human resources. ¤ Full-time salaried positions. Ideally jobs with “manager” or “supervisor” titles.

¤ OUT-OF-SCOPE ¤ Entry level positions. Have too much experience. Ready for the next step. ¤ Event planning – this is a close tie to communications and marketing, but not something I would want to do full-time. Part-time would be fine. ¤ Graphic design – Something I can do, but not something I am trained in or willing to do full-time. Again, part-time would be fine. ¤ Job must be in the Elmira-Corning-Ithaca area. This is largely due to husband’s job in Big Flats, N.Y. which provides base-family income. ¤ Not seeking something part-time or contracted.

Budget ¤ Salary requirements: ¤ Ideal: $70,000 ¤ Minimum: $45,000 ¤ Low compared to calculations from Salary.com (right).

Salary.com. (n.d.). Retrieved December 10, 2017, from https://swz.salary.com/SalaryWizard/Communications-ManagerSalary-Details-CORNING-NY.aspx

Budget - Continued ¤ Salary based on personal budget and expenses: ¤ Monthly rent: $600 (split with husband - $1,200 total) ¤ Car payment – paid off in 2016 ¤ Saving for new car - $6,000 down payment for $23,000 used Subaru Outback ¤ Save $550 a month over two years ¤ Insurance (car and renters): $95.00 a month ¤ Healthcare insurance: Through husband’s company ¤ Gas: $300 monthly ¤ Groceries: $350 monthly ¤ TOTAL: $1,895 expenses

Risk Assessment ¤

Initial Project Risk Assessment – SWOT Analysis based on my MBTI Type Indicator - ESTJ Strengths • Able to make tough decisions when necessary, or under pressure • Skilled at organizing people and resources to achieve specific goals • Skilled in writing, editing, social media, graphic design, project and event planning • Strong follow-through, committed • Stamina and high energy

Weaknesses • Move too quickly and ignore the ideas or feelings of others • May not collect enough information before jumping into something • May become burnt out from always taking charge or taking a lead role

Opportunities • Leadership or management opportunities possible with master’s degree and experience • Use master’s degree to consider HR positions • Continue growing in the communications and marketing field

Threats • Over educated – often a master’s degree is not required for communications and marketing roles • Other, more qualified candidates applying for the same jobs as me • Internal candidates – they might have a leg up on me in terms of experience and exposure to the organization.

Risk Assessment ¤

Contingency Planning – TWOS Analysis Weaknesses • Move too quickly and ignore the ideas or feelings of others • May not collect enough information before jumping into something • May become burnt out from always taking charge or taking a lead role

Strengths • Able to make tough decisions when necessary, or under pressure • Skilled at organizing people and resources to achieve specific goals • Skilled in writing, editing, social media, graphic design, project and event planning • Strong follow-through, committed • Stamina and high energy

Threats • Over educated – often a master’s degree is not required for communications and marketing roles • Other, more qualified candidates applying for the same jobs as me • Internal candidates – they might have a leg up on me in terms of experience and exposure to the organization.

WT: • Take advantage of your education and new skills to research opportunities and alternatives • Accept that it is okay to not always take the lead or get the job – others may be a better fit or qualified for the job.

ST: • Highlight professional skills versus education • Compete with other job applicants through strong follow-up and follow-through • Demonstrate high energy and stamina that internal candidates may lack.

Opportunities • Leadership or management opportunities possible with master’s degree and experience • Use master’s degree to consider HR positions • Continue growing in the communications and marketing field

OW: • Avoid burn out from communications and marketing by moving into the HR field • Gain a leadership experience with a team that forces me to develop more sensing skills and ability to solicit the team for ideas.

SO: • Use leadership opportunities to further develop decision making skills • Grow communications and marketing skills further through natural energy and stamina for personal growth and education.

Measures for Success ¤ Based on ability to meet the specific career objectives: ¤ Graduate summa cum laude from Elmira College with master’s degree in business management by June 2018. ¤ Earn a job in the communications and marketing field prior to or soon after graduation, with a deadline being August 2018. ¤ Maintain that role and ensure strong performance to earn a salary of at least $60,000 by the end of 2019. ¤ Manage and lead a team with at least two direct reports by the end of 2020. ¤ Grow or retain the team in alignment with strategic objectives of the organization; lead a hiring process start to finish by 2021. ¤ Move into a director or assistant director role focused on strategy, and less on tactical work or tasks by 2022.

Milestones Graduate from Elmira College • Summa cum laude with master’s degree in business management • Commencement: June 2018

Earn Job in Communications/ Marketing • First job post- graduation • Deadline: August 2018

Salary Increase • Strong performance earns salary increase (at least $60,000, ideally $70,000) • Deadline: December 2019

Milestones - Continued Management Position • Manage at least two direct reports • Deadline: December 2020

Growth and Retention • Grow

or retain the team in alignment with strategic objectives of the organization; lead a hiring process start to finish

• Deadline: December 2021

Assistant Director/Director • Move into a director or assistant director role focused on strategy, and less on tactical work • Deadline: December 2022

Personal Milestones Become Homeowners • Deadline: Anytime in 2018

Become Dog Owners • Already have a cat, but get a dog • Deadline: After moving into house

Buy New Car • Buy and upgrade car to Subaru Outback • Deadline: Enough savings by 2020

Assumptions ¤ That I will be able to gain employment in the communications and marketing field before or soon after graduating from Elmira College with my master’s degree. ¤ My network and professional connections will help to identify the next opportunity, or introduce me to new people, organizations, or hiring managers. ¤ That my experience and education will allow me to earn a competitive and fair salary for this area. ¤ Currently possess or will quickly learn the skills needed for a specific job opportunity or position.

Constraints & Barriers • Limited to Elmira-Corning-Ithaca

• Professional experience and master’s degree should be a higher salary than entry level positions

• Experience and interest is really in communications and marketing field, maybe human resources ; not interested in data analysts, web coding, etc.

Project Management Approach: Work Breakdown Structure ¤ 1. Resume & Cover Letter Creation ¤ Develop drafts ¤ Meet with Julie Fielding in Career Services ¤ Share drafts with peers and colleagues for feedback

¤ 3. Job Application Process ¤ Search for jobs online ¤ Read descriptions ¤ Secure recommendations ¤ Apply for jobs

¤ 2. Networking ¤ Reach out to old colleagues, friends, LinkedIn connections ¤ Schedule at least one meeting each week until graduation. ¤ Thank each person, ask for references to more people to network with

¤ 4. Interview Process ¤ Research company ¤ Prepare questions ¤ Print resume and portfolio samples ¤ Follow-up with thank yous

Project Management Approach: Work Breakdown Structure – Cont. ¤ 5. Decision Making Process ¤ Develop pros and cons list for each job offer ¤ Evaluate the salary and benefits of each jobs ¤ Evaluate the commute and drive time to each job ¤ Factor in work/life balance ¤ 6. Accept Job ¤ Accept the best offer ¤ Thank others for their offers ¤ Be professional – do not to burn any bridges

¤ 7. Performance on the Job ¤ Determine performance metrics ¤ Monthly reviews ¤ Training as needed ¤ Gain salary bonuses and leadership roles ¤ Always be growing, learning, improving

Project Management Approach: Gantt Chart

Project Management Approach: Gantt Chart - Continued

Project Management Approach: Roles and Responsibilities ¤ Interested in roles within communications and marketing profession in any B2B/B2C industry, or non-profit ¤ Responsibilities could include: ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤

Writing and content development Project and event planning Some graphic design work – posters, cards, brochures, etc.

Social media management Internal/employee communications Branding Product/service line marketing Supervising and guiding interns, direct reports Problem solving

Project Management Approach: Change Control Plan ¤ Change is inevitable within the career search and overall professional career. It cannot be controlled. You have to do your best to go with the flow and gather information. ¤ In my career, I have faced changes and new opportunities through researching and asking as many questions as possible. ¤ Additionally, I schedule meeting and networking appointments with people currently in the organization or experienced in a specific area. ¤ Always learning new skills or taking on new challenges will allow my experiences to deepen and diversify to meet changes ahead. Always be learning! ¤ This allows me to gather the information needed to make a decision in a thoughtful manner.

Issues Management ¤ Possible issues: budget, job availability, salary ¤ Budget: Scale back on living expenses, while still trying to save for the future ¤ Job Availability: Limited jobs in this area; have to be willing to relocate or commute a longer distance ¤ Salary: Earning opportunities could be lower in this year, compromise for better benefits, flexible scheduling, more vacation time instead of salary.

Communications Plan ¤ Network with or meet someone new each week till graduation ¤ Begin now through job placement ¤ Who/What Can Help: Current colleagues, former Corning colleagues and internship supervisors, friends, LinkedIn, events through Toastmasters and PRSA.

¤ Develop new resume and cover letter ¤ Deadline: April 2018 ¤ Who Can Help: Julie Fielding, Career Services at EC

¤ Search and apply for jobs ¤ Starting in April 2018 ¤ Who/What Can Help: EC Career Services, Indeed.com, Networking, LinkedIn, Monster.com, Corning.com, ithaca.edu, cornell.edu, TwinTiersHelpWanted.com, etc.

Communications Plan Communications plan for the next six-months is crucial for my career next steps: ¤ Network with or meet someone new each week till graduation ¤ Begin now through job placement ¤ Follow up with each person to thank them for time, anyone else to meet with ¤ Who/What Can Help: Current colleagues, former Corning colleagues and internship supervisors, friends, LinkedIn, events through Toastmasters and PRSA. ¤ Develop new resume and cover letter ¤ Already started; Must be complete by April 2018 ¤ Create multiple resume designs and cover letter content (Appendix A) ¤ Who Can Help: Julie Fielding, Career Services at EC ¤ Search and apply for jobs ¤ Starting in April 2018 ¤ Who/What Can Help: EC Career Services, Indeed.com, Networking, LinkedIn, Monster.com, Corning.com, ithaca.edu, cornell.edu, TwinTiersHelpWanted.com, etc.

Results ¤ The results will be determined based on the career objectives and evaluation criteria outlined on the next two slides. ¤ Hopefully all results will be positive and create a strong career.

Evaluation Criteria ¤ Objective: Graduate summa cum laude from Elmira College with master’s degree in business management by June 2018. ¤ Evaluation Criteria: Ideally graduate summa cum laude; minimum magna cum laude. ¤ Objective: Earn a job in the communications and marketing field prior to or soon after graduation, with a deadline being August 2018. ¤ Evaluation Criteria: Gaining job before, but by at least August 2018.

Do no settle for the first thing, wait longer if need be. ¤ Objective: Maintain that role and ensure strong performance to earn a salary of at least $60,000 by the end of 2019. ¤ Evaluation Criteria: Earn at last $60,000 by end of 2019. Minimum willing to accept: $50,000-$55,000.

Evaluation Criteria - Continued ¤ Objective: Manage and lead a team with at least two direct reports by the end of 2020. ¤ Evaluation Criteria: Move into leaderhsip role, have at least two direct reports such as administrative assistant and communications assistant. ¤ Objective: Grow or retain the team in alignment with strategic objectives of the organization; lead a hiring process start to finish by 2021. ¤ Evaluation Criteria: Ensure clear understanding of the organization’s strategy and effectively share and grow the team. ¤ Objective: Move into a director or assistant director role focused on strategy, and less on tactical work or tasks by 2022. ¤ Evaluation Criteria: Move into leadership role within the department; focus on strategy 70% of time, 30% of time on tasks.

References ¤

16 Personalities. (2017). ESTJ Personality ("The Executive"). Retrieved September 26, 2017, from https://www.16personalities.com/estj-personality

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A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge: PMBOK® Guide. (2013). Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute.

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Icons made by Smashicons, Freepik, ProSymbols, Gregor Cresnar, and Creaticca Creative Agency downloaded for personal use through www.flaticons.com

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Process Quality Associates, Inc. (2006). Differences Between Critical Chain (CCPM) & Traditional Project Management. Retrieved November 10, 2017, from http://www.pqa.net/ProdServices/ccpm/W05002003.html

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Rath, Tom, 1975- 2012 (2015). StrengthsFinder 2.0. New York: Gallup Press.

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Salary.com. (n.d.). Retrieved December 10, 2017, from https://swz.salary.com/SalaryWizard/Communications-Manager-Salary-Details-CORNING-NY.aspx

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Schermerhorn, J. R. (2012). Organizational Behavior (13th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

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Standout Assessment Your Results. (2017). Retrieved September 11, 2017, from https://standout.tmbc.com/ assessment/assessmentconsole/showResultsHero

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Wysocki, R. K. (2009). Effective Project Management: Traditional, Agile, Extreme (5th ed.). Indianapolis, IN: Wiley Technology Pub.

Appendix

Appendix A: Resume in Progress