OGL 482 Pro-Seminar II

Unit 3 Assignment: Career Plan

Section 1: Creating your BHAG

Following the information in the “Good to Great Connections” PowerPoint presentation and all
of the additional information provided under the Module 4 content area, and taking your Personal
Mission Statement development efforts into consideration, carefully develop your own personal
long term BHAG (***one amazingly HUGE, your world changing goal***). The timeframe for
your BHAG is 10-25 years out, however it will depend upon your age. For example, a 55 year
old person might be closer to the 10 year BHAG, whereas a 30 year old or younger person
should be considering a BHAG 25 years out. This BHAG may be related to your overall
life/lifestyle aspirations, or it could be related to some organizational, protean, or
entrepreneurial vision you have for the future. Dig deep and and go beyond the job. That is up to
you. What it needs to be is BIG! HUGE! REALLY HAIRY! STRETCH YOURSELF! LOOK
BEYOND GRADUATE DEGREE! LOOK BEYOND A JOB! HOW WILL YOU MAKE A
DIFFERENCE IN THIS WORLD???? I RECOMMEND WE MEET TO DISCUSS IT TO
ENSURE ITS HUGENESS.

Answer the following:

1) What is your BHAG (***one amazingly HUGE, your world changing goal***)?

My BHAG is to become a department head as a Treasurer/Controller for a non

profit or an organization that I have a meaningful connection with. I want to be

responsible for positive changes within an organization by directing financial activities,

such as planning, procurement, and investments. I see myself as a stable financial

manager, that will strive to contribute to the organizations success by implementing

strategic financial practices, optimizing resources, and ensuring fiscal responsibility. I

can clearly see how my transformative leadership style would contribute to the lasting

success of an organization if I was in this position.

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 2) Why is this your BHAG?

My Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal (BHAG) of becoming a department head as a

Treasurer/Controller is driven by a my observation of leaders in similar roles who unfortunately,

lacked positive leadership characteristics and prioritized personal financial gains over the welfare

of the organization. This firsthand exposure to a leadership void inspired my commitment to

bring about positive change. I envision myself not only providing innovative and practical

financial strategies but also infusing them with ethical principles and a genuine concern for the

well-being of the organization. I believe that in a leadership position, I will be able to make a

lasting impact on in my organization and inspire those who will lead one day after I am gone.

3) How does your BHAG align with your vision statement from Module 4?

Vision Statement: I promise to navigate my journey in life with resilience, wisdom, and
commitment to continuous learning. Striving to create a harmonious balance between personal
fulfillment and making a positive impact on the world. Embracing the challenges, I face as
opportunities.

There are a couple important ways that becoming a department head as a

Treasurer/Controller, aligns with my vision statement. I made a promise to myself that I would

commit to navigating life with resilience, wisdom, and a dedication to continuous learning. My

BHAG reflects this commitment by presenting a challenging yet fulfilling path of professional

growth and development. It also seems to provide the balance I seek between personal

fulfillment and making a positive impact on the world. Taking on a leadership position in this

field offers me the opportunity to leverage my skills and expertise for the greater good.

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 4) How does your BHAG align with your mission statement from Module 4?

Mission Statement: I am dedicated to living my life authentically, optimistically and

courageously. By embracing new experiences, building genuine relationships, and inspiring
others to do the same.

My BHAG to become a department head as a Treasurer/Controller connects with my mission

of living a practical and positive life. I do not want to be in a position where I feel like I am

loosing pieces of myself because of things I am required to do at work. This position will

promote me being the most genuine version of myself. Which includes staying hopeful that I can

achieve impactful goals that I have set, and having the courage to face challenges along the way.

Most importantly I will be able to encourage others to be true to themselves, have an optimistic

outlook on life, and be brave in their journeys too.

5) List your top five (5) obstacles in order from number 5 being least difficult and
number 1 being most difficult you need to overcome in order to obtain your BHAG
and explain the relevance of each one.

Building a Network (most difficult)- Growing a substantial professional network is one

of the most critical obstacles that I must overcome to grow my career and achieve my

BHAG. Building strong relationships within an organization is a major aspect of being

considered for advancement opportunities. Overcoming this obstacle requires an

immense amount of active participation and engagement with my colleagues and other

high level individuals within the industry. It is going to take the trust of the majority of an

organization in order to be in a department head position.

Gaining Leadership Experience- I am currently in an entry level position. Earning a

leadership role within this field or the organization I currently reside requires a lot

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 experience. This is the second largest obstacle on my path to achieving my BHAG.

Accumulating valuable leadership experience can be hard due to the limited amount of

opportunities that occur. However I must actively seek out any possible opportunity to

take on leadership responsibilities in order to showcase my ability to lead and make

strategic decisions.

Developing Innovative Resolutions - Being ready to quickly provide innovative

solutions to problems is a substantial obstacle that I will need to get past in order earn the

position of Treasurer/Controller. Having innovative solutions ready for when potential or

unforeseen problems arise will help me stand out as a leader. Being able keep my

composure in times of crisis will also help build my case.

Demonstrating Commitment To The Mission: Most organizations are mission driven,

it is expected that the actions of the treasurer align with the mission. Overcoming this

obstacle involves demonstrating a sincere commitment to the organization's cause and

displaying my ability to incorporate it into the financial decision making.

Navigating Organizational Politics (least difficult)- Managing office politics is a small

obstacle that I will have to get over. It can be challenging for some people to maintain

authenticity and ethical standards while navigating the office political landscape. I do not

foresee this being the biggest obstacle for me based on my values, experience and

character.

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Section 2: Career Vision
Consider your long-term vision for your career. Respond to the following questions, and make
connections to your personal mission statement, your BHAG(s), the themes you developed in
Module 4, and the textbook/supplemental readings (as applicable).

1) Analyze the type of career you want to have, in terms of an organizational career or
a protean career, make sure it is clear you understand the concepts as outlined in
the textbook. Why?

The type of career I aspire to have as a treasurer/controller aligns more with a protean

career rather than an organizational career path. Organizational careers are characterized

by a stable progression within a specific company or industry, that has a clear hierarchy

and well-defined path to a leadership role. On the other hand, protean careers focus on

independence, adaptability, fulfillment. As a treasurer, my role would involve a broad set

of responsibilities, that has qualities of both organizational and the protean career model.

However I believe it leans more towards the protean path in most cases. When I

researched the role, creativity, autonomy, and work-life balance, are prioritized which

connects perfectly with me based on my thematic analysis results.

2) Analyze your career with an explanation as one that moves you up the organization
or one you develop seeking alternative career paths. If you see yourself taking an
alternative career path, which one(s) sound the most likely? Why?

I can see how the treasurer/controller career path could go either way. To me it mostly

depends on the situation and the organization I am apart of. Even though I view myself as

a highly protean individual this is a career path that I would not mind myself moving up

from within an organization. However that all depends on the work environment being

aligned with my preferences. If that is something I am unable to find I would most likely

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 look to become a treasurer at another organization within the same industry that would

essentially be a better fit.

3) Discuss and explain if you see yourself working an alternative or flexible work
schedule/arrangement? If so, which ones and why?

I envision a work arrangement that does incorporate flexibility, particularly in terms of

remote work. The financial responsibilities associated with this role often involve data

analysis, financial planning, and strategy development, tasks that can be efficiently

executed remotely. Working fully or partially remote aligns with my inclination for

autonomy and self-direction, which are key traits of my highly protean career orientation.

This will help me optimize my work environment, enhancing focus and productivity.

Additionally, a remote setup facilitates a better work-life balance, enabling me to allocate

time efficiently between my professional commitments and personal responsibilities.

Ultimately, I believe a flexible work arrangement not only caters to the demands of the

treasurer role but also enhances my overall job satisfaction and performance.

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Section 3: Long-Term Strategy
Develop a strategy for moving toward your ideal future work/life situation and the realization of
your BHAG(s). Consider the timeframe for your BHAG(s). Provide a vivid description of life
“the way it will be” once your BHAG is realized.
Critically think about and then list out (not a narrative format) the interim steps or
milestones you have laid out for yourself that will aid you in reaching your BHAG (you
should have at least 10 to earn a rating of excellent and be referenced by time)

1. Complete Graduation Requirements (1 month): Make sure that all academic

requirements for my BA degree are met, including coursework, exams, and capstone project.

2. Advanced Degree Consideration (2-5 months):

• Explore the possibility of pursuing an advanced degree to further my qualifications.
• Research programs that align with my career goals and offer opportunities for career
advancement.

3. Pursue Leadership Opportunities in Current Role at Work (6-9 months):

• Take on leadership responsibilities within my current position, showcasing my ability to
lead and manage projects.
• Express interest my in taking the lead on tasks or projects.

4. Network with Senior Employees (7-12 months):

• Attend non required meetings where I can network with senior professionals in the
organization.

5. Seek Mentorship (1 Year 1 month):

• Identify potential mentors within my organization or industry and request mentorship.
• Seek guidance on my career growth, industry trends, and personal development.

6. Advanced Degree Pursuit (1 Year 2 months): Start the second half of my educational
journey.

7. Board or Committee Participation (1 year 3 months): Make myself more seen in

internal organization committees or boards.

8. Make an Positive Organizational Impact (1 year 4 months- 1 year 7 months):

• Lead initiatives that have a significant positive impact on organizational finances.
• Showcase measurable improvements.

9. Executive Level Exposure (1 year 8 months- 1 year 10 months):

• Interact more frequently with top level executive leadership.
• Present financial strategies and showcase my abilities.

10. Formal Transition to Treasurer/Controller Role (1 year 11 months- 2 Years):

• Express interest in open Treasurer/Controller positions.
• Leverage experience and skills.

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In addition to career-related roles, consider your other life roles in relation to your career
goals. Revisit your responses to the Identities Exercise that you completed in Module 1 of
the course. Based on your long-term strategy what are the 3 most precious things you are
willing to sacrifice, besides time, to achieve your BHAG? Why?

1. Leisure and Entertainment:

One significant sacrifice I am willing to make on my journey to achieving my BHAG is a

reduction in personal leisure and entertainment. This includes cutting down on the time I allocate

to watching television, playing video games and other forms of entertainment. While these

activities do bring me some joy and relaxation, dedicating more time to my career ambitions

requires a conscious choice to prioritize professional growth over short term fulfillment. By

reallocating time spent on leisure activities to career-related pursuits, I aim to create a more

efficient path toward reaching my long-term goals.

2. Immediate Financial Comfort:

Another sacrifice I am prepared to make is deferring immediate financial comfort for the sake of

my BHAG. This will involve forgoing certain luxuries and habits (getting Starbucks daily) that

contribute to immediate satisfaction. Instead, redirecting financial resources toward educational

opportunities, professional development, and strategic investments that aligns with my long-term

vision. While this sacrifice will introduce temporary financial constraints, the intention is to

make decisions that prioritize a better future for myself.

3. Socializing:
My third sacrifice involves reassessing and, at times, limiting social commitments. While

networking is crucial for my professional advancement, I must be very strategic when it comes to

going out. This will likely involve declining certain social invitations more than I typically

would. By focusing on quality over quantity in my social and professional networking, it should

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help me stay focused on my journey. This sacrifice is rooted in the mindset of selective and

purposeful networking that will help build genuine relationships that will propel my career

forward.

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Section 4: The one to two year plan
Using a SMART goals-based approach, as well as project planning and management skill best
practices, create a detailed project plan for at least two specific goals. At least one must be
related to your long-term BHAG. The other may be related to some other aspect of your career
development or career-life integration. Both of these goals need to be things that you are
passionate about accomplishing.

Your selected goals and SMART plan (see SMART goal information provided in the module)
should be structured based on a one to two-year timeline. It should include specific milestones,
action items, sub-tasks as well as task-related interdependencies as applicable. With respect to
each goal, critically think about what specifically are the things you will do in the next one to
two years to achieve these goals.

Develop a clear and detailed SMART plan, with facilitating goals and steps/actions required
to accomplish your selected goals. It should be evident, by looking at the format and structure
of your plan, that you have developed some significant skills respect to project management.
Include Gantt charts (T) or other visual project representations as you see fit, and be sure to
address your approach to tracking/measuring your progress (M).

1) What is your #1 Goal? (at least one of the following must be related to your BHAG)

a. Specific: My #1 Goal is to earn a position as a Treasurer/Controller within the

next three years. This aligns with my BHAG of becoming a department head in
this role.

b. Measurable: I plan on taking on more leadership responsibilities in my current

position. In order to have more of an influence in financial strategy development.
I will measure this by tracking my career progression and the scope of
responsibilities that are entrusted to me as time goes on.

c. Attainable: I am currently in entry level role, I will work diligently to gain more
experience and pursue additional qualifications to make myself a more
competitive candidate for a leadership role.

d. Relevant: This goal is highly relevant to my long-term career aspirations,

contributing directly to reaching my BHAG.

e. Time-Based: I plan on having made significant progress within the next year,
aiming to have earned a mid-level role with more leadership responsibilities. By
year two I would like to be solidified as a pillar within the organization and
become a clear candidate for the next level of leadership.

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 2) What is your #2 Goal? (at least one of these must be related to your BHAG)

(Insert your #2 Goal above and provide short answers below describing your goal in
terms of the SMART model. Finally, provide a Gantt chart using the tools provided).

a. My #2 Goal is to secure a mentor within the industry or my organization within

the next year. I am looking for someone who can help enhance my professional
development and provide me with guidance toward achieving my BHAG.

b. I will measure progress by actively networking, attending industry/organizational

events, and engage in informal interviews. The successful establishment of a
mentoring relationship will be a clear indicator of goal achievement.

c. Given my current entry level position within my organization, I will proactively

participate in any non mandatory events to seek out potential mentors by
demonstrating my commitment to learning and growth, making myself an
appealing mentee.

d. This goal directly supports my long-term career aspirations by connecting me

with experienced professionals who can offer me valuable insights, guidance, and
support.

e. I aim to have found a mentor within the next year. However I want it to be the
right fit. I do not want to force anything. If it ends up taking less than a year or
longer than a year I can live with that. I am looking to have a longterm mentor in
my life.

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