Career Aspirations, Research Paper Example

Abstract

In this paper, the definition of a career aspiration and career objectives are given. I will also interlink the course objective and career aspiration. On strategic analysis, the steps of preparing a strategic analysis will be discussed. The importance of benchmarks and customer loyalty and their definition will also be argued in this paper.

Introduction

Career aspirations are goals one set to achieve in either the current or the desired profession. Career aspiration is different from the actual work one does. Career aspirations differ from one person to the other while other consider financial security to be important, other need status and responsibilities while other seek technical knowledge  and expertise in a given field (Tang, Pan & Newmeyer, 2008).

Course objectives are milestones one sets to enable one acquired advanced skills and competency in a given field. These are targets set for students to understand and comprehend before completing a given course, they give clear reason for teaching. A clear result should be noted and not the processes (Biggs, 2003).

Course objective relates to career aspirations because a student know the end results and what he/she is suppose to have learnt at the end of the course.  They are designed in a way in which success can be measured, and the appropriate knowledge and skill to be acquired is known to the students. This aid in career aspiration for a student, course objectives act as the building block and shape one’s career aspiration (Noeth, Engen & Noeth, 1984).

Strategic analysis is considering the current situation of an organization and plan how to use the available opportunities and strength to improve the future of the organization. It is a tool for strategic business planning. In writing a strategic analysis, there are four main steps to follow. First define the problem that triggers the need for analysis. This will help the company know how to gain competitive advantage, for example, by having a web running, the image of the company will be improved, and more customers can know about the organization globally. This will improve production.

The next step is to collect the data needed to measure the strength and weakness of having a web running. This can be done by interviewing management and staff and what are some of the resources the companies have to enable them have the web up and running. The opportunities and threats should be defined by having a team of individuals with the knowledge to evaluate the opportunities and threats of having a web in relation to the company.

The last step is to review the analysis, these should use the Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT analysis) and have the best of strength, remedy for the weakness, optimize the opportunities and should be prepared about the threats (Cohen & Lee, 1988).

Benchmarks are critical parts in an organization regarding marketing. Benchmarks are important because it allow that organization to know its performance in comparison to others, what improvements is needed. It removes success bottlenecks in the organization, highlights opportunities available and the performance gap in the work processes (Choy, 2006).

Customer loyalty is attracting customers, making them buy, and retaining the customer. This is done through keeping in touch with customers. Customer loyalty enables a company to increase their sells and increase their customer database. Loyal customers act as marketing agents for the company that are not in the payroll. The company also protects their business from price completion from other companies. Loyal customers give honest feedback to the business, which improves the quality of service and production (Palmatier, Scheer & Steenkamp, 2007).

In conclusion, benchmarks and customer loyalty is a strategic plan to ensure that the company’s operations are improved and that customers are satisfied.

References

Biggs, J. (2003). Aligning teaching and assessing to course objectives. Teaching and Learning in Higher Education: New Trends and Innovations, 13-17. Cohen, M. A. & Lee, H. L. (1988). Strategic analysis of integrated

production-distribution systems: Models and methods. Operations Research, 36(2), 216-228.

Choy, S. C. (2006). Benefits of e-learning benchmarks: Australian case studies. In Proceedings of the International Conference on e-Learning (p. 77). Academic Conferences Limited.

Noeth, R. J., Engen, H. B. & Noeth, P. E. (1984). Making Career Decisions: A Self?Report of Factors That Help High School Students. Vocational Guidance Quarterly,  32(4), 240-248.

Palmatier, R. W., Scheer, L. K. & Steenkamp, J. B. E. (2007). Customer loyalty to whom? Managing the benefits and risks of salesperson-owned loyalty. Journal of marketing research, 44(2), 185-199.

Tang, M., Pan, W. & Newmeyer, M. D. (2008). Factors influencing high school students’ career aspirations. Professional School Counseling, 11(5), 285-295.