OGL 482 Pro-Seminar II

Module 6 Assignment: Career Plan – Erin O’Brien

Section 1: Creating your BHAG

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

What I truly want to achieve in my professional life is to become a financial crimes

investigator with the Federal Bureau of Investigations. I want to obtain a position where I

am discovering financial threats to major corporations and taking action to prevent it from

happening. I want to be involved in apprehending those who have already committed major

financial crimes, including large-scale fraud rings. As a leader, I want to develop a strong

team of investigators that can be deployed when crimes occur to find resolution to the

situation. I want to inspire others to work hard and find the root cause of financial

fraudulent activity and bring it to an end.

2) Why is this your BHAG?

This is my goal for a few reasons. First, I’ve discovered that I enjoy helping others and

teaching others. As a leader, I can share knowledge that I’ve obtained with anyone else

who wants to learn. Second, I am extremely interested in financial crimes because I have

been in banking for 10 years and have seen the impact it has on customers and other

organizations. Knowing that I have the ability to take action and prevent and resolve

financial crimes makes me confident that I can help many people, whether it’s on a small

(customer) or large (organizational) scale. This path will allow for continuous learning and

personal development and the opportunity to help others grow as well. Third, in

investigations, I will always have changing and challenging situations to work through. As

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 technology advances, more and more people and organizations become susceptible to

financial abuse. There will always be someone for me to help.

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

In my vision statement, I made a commitment to embrace challenge and use it for personal

growth. It will not be a simple path to get to where I want to be. It will take time to develop

skills and experience before I can move on to bigger crimes. I will have to prove myself

capable of the job. What I have learned in my first thirty years of life is that there is always

something that happens to throw me off course, but that is when I decide how determined

I truly am. In my desire to help others on a large scale by solving and preventing financial

crimes, I will persevere through each challenge that comes along.

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

In my mission statement, I stated that I will strive for continuous formal and informal

educational growth and use this to help others. This is twofold because I will learn more as

I advance in my career, and I will share with others what I am learning so they can grow

too. I will be able to help those who are victims of financial crimes, and I will be able to

teach those who aid other victims alongside of me.

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.

Obstacle #1

At this time, my biggest obstacle to reaching my Goal is myself and my lack of self-

confidence. I have been struggling to regain my confidence after stepping down from a

difficult leadership position that wasn’t right for me. In that role, I realized I still had a lot

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of growing to do. I worked with a manager for some time who cared about my

development, but he was promoted. The new manager that came in seemed to have very

little interest in her people. She wanted to be in control of everything. She immediately

took away many responsibilities that I had to support my management team. This made me

feel incompetent from the way she treated me. I am performing very well where I am at

right now but I have no explicit leadership responsibilities. I am worried that I may obtain

a new role where I will struggle again. It will take increased confidence before I move

forward again.

Obstacle #2

A major but temporary obstacle I am facing is financial obligation to my current employer.

I have received tuition reimbursement for my undergraduate program. The commitment I

have made is to stay with this employer for at least three years from the most recent

disbursement of funds. If I chose to leave, I am under obligation to repay what I was given.

It would be expensive and financially irresponsible to leave my employer at this time. Right

now, I am committed to working here until 2024. It may be just fine for that time. I believe

there is growth and development and advancement available here. It still restricts me from

pursuing other options closer related to my Goal, unless I decide to pay for it. I am planning

to go to graduate school and will carefully consider my financial options, whether or not I

will extend my financial commitment where I am at now.

Obstacle #3

My second obstacle will be work/life balance. I am interested in a career that will require

a huge commitment from me but I also strongly desire to have a family of my own

someday. I don’t see either of these as a true sacrifice to choose one over the other. I know

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that I will have to carefully navigate my career path and my personal path, so they come

together well. I know that the workforce has drastically changed for women and I know

that it is possible to have both of these. It might mean some lifestyle adjustments or certain

times making one or the other a priority. Not only are these major life decisions and

situations, but for me, they are very emotional as well. They are both very important and I

think I will struggle a bit to find the right balance.

Obstacle #4

Potentially, it will take some time to find the right position within the FBI. It may not be

available precisely when I feel ready. Or I could be interested in a role that I discover I am

not qualified for at the time and have to work on my skills and experience. There are some

what-ifs to this scenario, but I do see it as an obstacle. Availability of my desired role could

cause me to sit tight when I am really desiring the next step.

Obstacle #5

Due to personal struggles I faced throughout my undergraduate experience, my G.P.A. is

not as desirable as I would like it to be, or as it may need to be for various careers I have

reviewed. This will only slightly hinder my path because I may have to take the G.R.E. and

achieve high scores to supplement my G.P.A. depending on which career path I take. I

personally know that my G.P.A. is not a reflection of my actual intelligence or academic

abilities. I know that this number does not determine my true potential or define who I am

but for some applications, it doesn’t meet the numerical requirement.

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Section 2: Career Vision

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?

I am sitting in the middle of an organizational career and a protean career. Currently, I

work from home; my hours are Monday through Friday from 7am to 4pm. However, we

are a very flexible team and work around many of the other experiences that occur in our

personal lives. I know that down the road, I may not have such flexibility depending on the

organization I ultimately end up with (maybe the Secret Service or FBI). Right now, my

career goals are fairly straight forward as I reach certain investigation levels within our

department. I can perform my investigations how I choose, as long as I meet a few specific

expectations. Working for the SS or FBI will probably have a strong organizational

orientation in terms of reporting structure. But I lean more towards a protean style of

growth; I don’t need to climb a corporate ladder to feel successful. I will know when I have

achieved specifically the position I want to be in and it doesn’t have to be at the top. I also

have a strong desire to take ownership of my development, be able to seek what I want to

learn more about or area to grow in instead of being told what I must do.

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 believe that I will ultimately be in a career that moves me up the organization. Although

this is not the most desirable route for me, it will be part of the organization I choose,

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 specifically the FBI. There will be many levels to advance through as I grow. One of the

choices I will have is how far I want to advance in leadership. I will reach a point where I

am fully satisfied by my work and do not feel a need to keep climbing. In that time, I will

continue to embrace my leadership capabilities whether it is part of my title or not. I intend

to stand out in excellence in whatever role I achieve, giving my best work efforts.

3) Discuss and explain if you see yourself working an alternative or flexible work

schedule/arrangement? If so, which ones and why?

When I achieve my BHAG of a career in the FBI, I anticipate working an alternative

schedule. The work I will need to do in investigations may require more than the 9-5 allows.

As I work different cases, the amount of time involved will vary. It is my hope that my

career will not overrun my life and I will work as normal hours as possible but I know it

will not be a cut and dry schedule like that. I will be able to embrace a changing schedule

as long as I find my work meaningful, challenging, and engaging. I will still make a major

effort for a healthy work/life balance. I have personal goals that I want to achieve apart

from my career and will make time for those as well.

4) Research and post current, or past, job postings from your local area, across the

country, or from around the world which illustrate how you might reach your BHAG.

Be sure to provide the Job Title, a small description and why it supports your BHAG

when you provide the URL. Websites such as CareerBuilder, Monster, or Indeed

might be a good place to begin. Also, career-specific websites such as SHRM.org or

AICPA.org often have job postings. Provide 2 listings for each of the following time

periods:

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a. 2 years from today

i. Detection and Investigations Analyst Lead – PNC Bank

https://careers.pnc.com/global/en/job/R053634/Detect-Investig-Analyst-Lead

This position will be my direct next step in my current department. Not only

will I have developed strong financial investigation skills, but I will be

combining the leadership responsibilities as well. I have not been in a

leadership role for some time so it will be a big step to get back into.

ii. Collegiate Hiring Initiative Participant – Federal Bureau of Investigations

https://www.fbijobs.gov/students/grad-students

This program recruits graduate students who are interested in working for

the FBI. This opportunity would expose me to many different types of

careers available in investigations. Although I am primarily interested in

financial crimes, that is still a very broad field. Learning alongside others

who already do the job will help me make the best choices on my career

path and establish new networks.

b. 5 years from today

i. Market Investigations Senior Analyst – PNC Bank

https://careers.pnc.com/global/en/job/R049239/Detect-Investig-Analyst-Sr

This Market Investigations role is a major opportunity for growth towards

my Goal because it is within my current department but investigates fraud

on a much larger scale than I currently do. There is extensive training

involved and strict standards to follow. The threshold is significantly higher

and involves much more complex fraudulent activity. There are more

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 reporting standards to follow and oftentimes in this role, I would be dealing

with the suspect rather than the victim as I currently do.

ii. Criminal Investigator – United States Secret Service

Criminal Investigator

This Criminal Investigator role is a much more advanced level of

investigations. It requires quite a few years of experience and a rigorous

interview process. Although it is jump from the FBI, it is still on my radar

because I will be obtaining the skills and experience this role requires. This

role has many different routes as to the types of investigations involved.

c. 10 years from today

i. Financial Transaction Analyst - FINCEN

Financial Transaction Analyst

A Financial Transaction Analyst covers a multitude of roles in the

Network’s operations, one of which includes investigative services. This

role will be directly involved in the financial aspect of the role I desire and

will take many years of experience. At this time, there are not current

openings but it is still something to be prepared for when a position becomes

available.

ii. Special Claims Investigative Analyst – Great American Insurance

Special Claims Investigative Analyst

Another route I have considered in investigations is within the insurance

industry. This role would include examining claims for accuracy and

legitimacy. There is involvement with law enforcement agencies that would

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 be an opportunity for networking. There is just as much crime that happens

in insurance claims where the customer or organization needs protection

and resolution. A career in this field would provide additional training and

knowledge of investigations.

d. BHAG Achievement Year

i. Supervisory Investigative Specialist – Federal Bureau of Investigations

Supervisory Investigative Specialist

This position with the FBI requires extensive prior experience in order to

advance. It will take time to develop strong investigative skills and become

established within the organization. Once those are both in place, the

leadership level can also be achieved. Here I will have the opportunity to

guide and develop others in their investigative careers.

ii. Supervisory Financial Management Analyst – Federal Bureau of Investigations

Supervisory Financial Management Analyst

In this role, there would be a bit of a shift in operations because it is internal

management of finances within the FBI. There would be less investigative

work but it would still allow me to work in the finance industry as well as

provide leadership support to others.

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Section 3: Long-Term Strategy

1) Milestones

1. Graduate from Arizona State University with Bachelor’s degree in

Organizational Leadership (Spring 2021)

2. Meet with academic advisor at the University of New Haven after graduation

(Mid-May 2021)

3. Prepare and Study for GRE (4-6 months)

4. Apply to the University of New Haven in September 2021

5. Complete courses in Master’s degree program (1.5 – 2 years)

6. Research and apply for careers in financial crimes investigations (Early 2023)

7. Obtain a career with FinCen or the FBI (2023 or 2024)

8. Perform financial crimes investigations within an organization and increase

investigative skills and financial crimes knowledge (3 – 5 years)

9. Become a lead investigator in a financial crimes investigations role (2031)

10. Investigate financial crimes impacting customers of large organizations and

develop methods of protection, resolution, and apprehension (BHAG, 2033)

2) Sacrifices

One sacrifice I am prepared to make as I pursue my Goal is strongly considering

opportunities that may need to be passed on so that my career does not overrun my personal

life. It could mean adjusting my course along the way. I never want to be too busy to enjoy

friends or family. I don’t want to look back one day and see that I missed out on living

because I was always working. This decision would take very careful planning before being

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made. Many options and pros and cons will have to be weighed. I have learned to live

within my means so financial gain will not always be the driving factor in career growth. I

have determined that a special title does not equate to success either. It is about personal

fulfillment and satisfaction in both my career and personal life.

I also know that I will have to sacrifice working from home and begin commuting

again at some point. The reason this is a sacrifice for me is because I absolutely hate

driving. It stresses me out very much. It is not that I am fearful of being on the road, I just

do not like it. I am generally a happy and positive person but when someone cuts me off in

traffic it brings out a different side of me. I hate to admit it! Something about driving also

makes me feel rushed even when I am not truly in a hurry at all. I think it is because I have

become so used to working from home that I am over analyzing the time it takes to drive

somewhere and feel that it is taking up so much of my time. One alternative is riding the

bus which I have done in the past and found this to be much more enjoyable than driving

myself. I can read on the ride, which I thoroughly enjoy and sometimes cannot find spare

time for it. When I am working for the FBI, I know I will have an office somewhere as

well as travel wherever necessary to perform my investigations. Some of my work will

include site visits to businesses that I am investigating in order to perform financial audits.

Another sacrifice I am considering is my comfort of being home here in Columbus,

Ohio. I grew up and lived in Mesa, Arizona for 23 years and then moved here. It was a last

minute move and I was very scared at first. Looking back, I can see that it was worth the

experience that brought me here. It’s as they say, “home is where the heart is.” I have truly

come to love the people and the city of Columbus. I have made many great friends and

have had wonderful experiences. I settled into a comfortable apartment for the last few

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years that I have really made my home and enjoy it. With a career in the FBI, I will be

required to relocate, possibly multiple times throughout my career. Although Arizona and

Ohio hold special “home” places in my heart, I am preparing my mind for what it would

be like to move again. The adventure awaits me as far as I am willing to step into it.

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Section 4: SMART Goals

1) Obtain Master’s Degree in Criminal Investigations with a focus in Financial Crimes

a. Specific: Enroll in and participate in the master’s program until completed to obtain

further knowledge and experience in investigations and specifically financial

crimes, as I intend to stay in the banking and finance industry.

b. Measurable: My progress will be measured by the number of credit hours

completed according to the program schedule. I will know I have completed this

goal when I obtain my master’s degree.

c. Attainable: This goal is attainable because I will have completed my bachelor’s

degree and I am intelligent and capable of furthering my education. I also have

financial support from my employer to continue on this route of career growth.

d. Relevant: The Criminal Investigations program with a focus in Financial Crimes is

further and formal education of the position I currently hold. I am already a fraud

investigator but still at entry level. It will broaden my options for growth in the

financial industry. My scope and threshold of investigations will increase.

e. Time-Based: I intend to begin this program in January 2022 and anticipate

completion in two years or less.

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2) Obtain an Investigative Role with the Federal Bureau of Investigations

a. Specific: This goal is specific to being employed by the Federal Bureau of

Investigations where I can apply knowledge and skills developed from previous

career positions and completed education programs.

b. Measurable: I will be able to measure my completion of this goal when I receive an

official offer of employment in my desired role with the FBI.

c. Attainable: This goal will be attainable as I strengthen my career skills in

investigations over time, make connections with the appropriate people in the field.

d. Relevant: I don’t think becoming an investigator for the FBI can be any more

relevant for my career growth in investigations.

e. Time-Based: The deadline for applying for employment with the FBI is 37-years

old. Currently, that gives me 6 more years to prepare and apply. I intend to apply

sometime much sooner than 6 years, maybe within 3. It will depend on how quickly

I am able to acquire necessary skills and when openings are available.

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