Resources/ Links

How to write a STAR story
 http://www.mit.edu/~career/guide/star.html

Assessment for Career Planning
http://utahvalley.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_3BZRaDq2D7PHmNn

Pay for Utah jobs
http://jobs.utah.gov/jsp/wi/utalmis/gotoOccwage.do 

Occupational Outlook Handbook
http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm 

UVU Counseling Center
http://www.uvu.edu/acc/

UVU Academic Advisors:
 https://uvaps.uvu.edu/pls/prod/SZINFLST.P_DispAdvrLis

Final Reflection Paper

Maria Andersen

Final Reflection Paper

CLSS 2100

12/13/12

            I feel that I have been able to sort out my thoughts and goals throughout this course. I have finally decided that I am going to be changing my major to something that I have knowledge and already know that I am good at it. I have found that I really enjoy being in the insurance industry and being a leader.

            With my major, I want to make sure that what I study will be information and courses that will really help me be the best at what I do. I haven’t decided entirely yet, but I am looking forward to studying about business management with a possible Spanish minor. I really like the idea of being involved in the Hispanic community and help people there.

            Having done the self-assessments tests have really helped me learn more about my passions and what I want to do in the future.  I think that the ones I took were a good reflection on who I am and who I want to become. I have a better understanding now towards what industry I am leaning towards and what an array of options I have to do this. I want to learn more about the different companies so I can make a good decision in what I want to do. I plan to contact some different places to do an internship and find out more about the different parts of the industry.

            My goal is to graduate in about two to three years. I want to be able to from there to have already decided what company is best fit for me and start a career with them. I hope to have longevity with the same company. I do not want a company that is not financially stable. I hope that with interning and research I can find what is going to be best in the long run, and not just in the here and now.

            Another goal of mine is to find myself in a management or owner position where I am leading others. I enjoy helping and coaching people and I feel that is a strength I have that can benefit a company. I want to be able to help others succeed and with their success I can succeed as well.

            Within all of these career goals I want to be able to still balance my family life, my personal life and married life. I want to plan out my career so that it is conducive to that kind of a lifestyle. I also hope that in the search of this career and the finishing of my education I am able to find balance along with my passion.

I really am excited to have found myself and my place in the work place. I hope that from everything I have learned I will be one step ahead of others looking for similar positions and I can stand out of the crowd and get a good job from my hard work and knowledge.

Decision Making Model

Decision Making Model

Short Term Goals

Short Term Goals

1.     Finalize what degree I want to pursue.

a.     Just need to finalize whether to have an Education degree or just general for Business.

b.     Meet with my future advisor under the major I am going to pursue.

c.      Do it by end of Spring 13 Semester

2.     Continue learning about Office management and apply new skills from 7 habits class into daily routine.

a.     Keep reading 7 habits book and apply one idea daily.

b.     Take continuing education classes. Sign up first of the year.

c.      Make goals every month with supervisor and check progress weekly.

3.     Making more quality time to spend with my husband

a.     Schedule date night every other week.

b.     Start the beginning of year since we will be less busy then

Revised Action Plan

Personal Action Plan- Need to constantly update!

Freshman Year of College

·         Completed

Sophomore Year of College

·         Take classes that will help me be more successful as a college student.

·         Begin to seriously research the different industries I am interested in being in.

·         Start going to career fairs and asking a lot of questions.

·         Seriously follow advice and apply all new techniques from classes this semester to be a better person

Second Summer

·         Take time to read books and do online research about the career I feel I am happy with

·         Make a plan with my husband as he is starting his career this year to fit my needs as well.

·         Get organized for Fall Semester- Better meal planning and house hold chores divided up better to make it less stressful for me

·         Decide by end of semester what exact major/minor to have and enroll in the proper classes for fall

Junior Year of College

This is the year that sets up success after graduation!

·         Decide to find a company to be an agent or continue to grow as a Directing Manager

Final Summer

This is the most important summer of your life; don't fool around!

·         Continue to build resume with contacts and Personal references.

·         Finalize the scheduling of last year of college, all credits are in order and know what is expected to graduate.

·         Get house organized

Senior Year of College

·         Build a network of people I will need to know in my industry

·         Find agencies to interview with. Research what the income and benefits are.

·         Finish classes with a high GPA

Summer after College

·         If and when I get a job continue to have contacts in my network to keep lines open for opportunities

·         Frame my Diploma!!!

·         Decide whether to apply for a Master’s Degree Program

Job Shadow

Maria Andersen
Job Shadow
CLSS 2100
12/01/2012

1.     I am Job shadowing Pete Mazeika who is an Insurance Agent.

2.     

3.     Questions:

What kind of degree do you have?

-I have an MBA from the University of Utah

What kind of problems do you deal with?

-I mainly am here to help clients be protected in case of a claim. I love to help making sure they are covered and that I am there to help the claim process and make sure that they are put back to where they were before the claim like nothing happened before.

How is the economy affecting this industry?

-I haven’t noticed much of a difference. Everyone needs insurance, and this industry with technology is constantly changing. We do have more and more people constantly shopping their insurance because it is so easy to get that kind of information now by just going online.

Do you have any advice to someone looking into this field?

-I would definitely recommend considering going into this industry. I love it because I am not selling something people don’t need. There would most likely always be a job/position in this kind of a job because of state laws.

What kind of advice to you have to a student looking into a career doing insurance?

-I would absolutely make sure that whatever insurance company you decide to do work for them first as a sales team member so you know the ins and outs of the company you are working with. That way you can see things like reputation, statistics, customer satisfactions and other aspects of the business.

If you didn’t do insurance, what would you have done next?

-I think I would still be doing insurance, but possibly doing it independently. I did want to go into something else like accounting or something else financially.

Is this industry growing in Utah?

-It definitely is. Because we are a growing state with move-ins and families growing and new home developments there are such opportunities still for business growth.

Are there any advancement that you can have in the future?

-Being an agent the real advancement you have is by growing your book of business. This company right now has opportunities in going into management but I feel that the best thing to do is growing your clientele. That alone can create great stability and also more income.

I think that this shadow was pretty impressive to see a little more about what happens on a day to day basis, the phone calls and clients that someone deals with on a daily basis and also the rewards coming in. I am still undecided that I want to go into this because it is a business and I would have to have start up revenue in order to open my doors.