OGL 482 Pro-Seminar II

Unit 3 Assignment:
Career Plan Template
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***)?

Developed over the past few months, my BHAG would be to become a top leader in

technical administration in a large technology based organization. Along with my

Organizational Leadership studies, I am working in a department that I wish to stay in but

need to gain experience in a new career path. My BHAG is something that will allow me

to focus and hone in on my current skills and identify what other skills I need to develop.

2) Why is this your BHAG?

This BHAG may seem simple enough but it involves several steps and certificates in

mastering program management, analysis, and asset management just to name a few.

Becoming a top leader in technical administration has its own challenges and no matter

Last Update: May 2021 1

 the organization that I end up in, I need to be able to flow and pivot direction within

minutes. This is not easy an goal and I thrive on challenging myself.

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

My vision statement is to nuture, motivate, and inspire everyone around me while

guiding them on the discovery of their life’s purpose and importance of reaching their full

potential.

Developing a vision statement is one thing that I have done in the past but with the

content I have been exposed to in organizational leadership, I feel it was appropriate to

update. Building off what I already felt my vision statement was, I reflected on my

values. I then reviewed the vision statement of organization that I am involved with for

additional reference. Continuing with my research, I sought out a different point of view

from colleagues and close friends to gain their perspective. Once I evaluated my work

and the input from trusted and valued people in my life, I drafted an updated vision

statement. I feel this updated vision statement reflect who I am now and this process has

shown me how far I have come. Excelling or gaining experience in technical

administration is different than leading in technical administration. Being a leader means

that I live my vision statement while building my technical administration experience and

sharing this knowledge with others to help them achieve their desired goals and potential.

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

My mission is to continue to strive to be a contributing team leader in my organization. I

intend on becoming an indispensable team member.

Last Update: May 2021 2

 Although I have never documented my mission statement, I always knew what I wanted

it to reflect. I referenced past assignement for appriate verbiage and practiced reading it

out loud several times. I was sure to include past successes, my core values,

contributions, and goals. I am proud of the results. I am a testament to this mission

statement and am confident enough in it to share. My BHAG of becoming a top leader in

technical administration in a large technology based organization is amplified by my

mission statement to focusing on being that indispensable team lead and contributing

member to the organization.

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 – Identifying one area that I want to serve in.

For some, this may appear to be an easy task but it is not for me. I enjoy trying new

things and am always seeing how I can adjust my environment. This looks like me

changing my work tasks and projects consistently. I must choose an area to focus on and

commit to learning everything that I can before I pursue the next area of interest.

Obstacle 2 – Getting connected to many different organizations.

With nearly twenty-five years in the work force, I have heard the quote, “It is not about

what you know but who you know.” I have found this to be one of the most honest quotes

that I have ever heard. Networking is so important in order to get positions and advance

in any organizaions. I am going to have to improve my networking skills in order to find

Last Update: May 2021 3

 the position and organization most appropriately aligned with my professional goals,

vision, and mission statements.

Obstacle 3 – Financial Stability.

Working in technology can be a lucrative career path and considering the amount of

experience that is needed, it is logical. In order get to a point of financial stability, I need

to continue to work toward financial responsibility and finding that balance between

living life and managing responsibilities. Being rich is not the goal, being financially

stable is.

Obstacle 4 – Furthering Education.

Progressing in any field typically means advancing ones education and experience. This

is achieved with advanced degrees, certificated or specific experience in a given field.

This is challenging because it typically means a large financial investment in addition to a

large amount of time, both of which can be difficult to allocate.

Obstacle 5 – Maintaining many responsibilities.

Advancing in both your personal and professional life means making sacrifices and

prioritizing responsibilities. As a leader, you have a lot on your plate while also making

sure you are leading your team in the right direction. This can be a lot to manage and

there is always room fro growth. I consider myself quite responsible and have managed

my responsibilities well so far but in order to move to the level professionally, I need to

Last Update: May 2021 4

 step away from my comfort area. This comes in the form of reprioritizing my

responsibilities.

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).

Answer the following:

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 have a protean career. My day to day tasks are constantly adjusting to include new

assignments, teams and work settings. Although I work in a technology department, I am

in human resources and currently tasked with developing an employee performance

management plan. I am, or at least try to, focused on developing an organization career

concept for the staff in my department while working in a protean career setting.

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?

My current assignments at work revolve around emplpoyee performance management. It

is a newer role in my department but I feel it will increase my knowledge and skills in a

make shift hybrid role that connects both protean and organizational career. I enjoy

Last Update: May 2021 5

 working in areas where hybrid models are encouraged because I feel that it drives

creativity and a positive work environment. I, of course, want to excel with this project

not only because it will grow the people around me but because it will expose my

expertise to other leaders in the department in hopes of achieving a promotional

opportunity within their division.

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

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

I see myself working a flexible work schedule because I feel it will encourage me to

continue with an important aspect of my life, having a work life balance. Yes, my career,

my professional growth and furthering my education are all important to me but they are

not more important than enjoying my life with my daughter. I am her only parent, her

father passed away three years ago, so everything I do revolves around her and her

happiness.

Last Update: May 2021 6

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.

1) 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. Compete my bachelor's degree in Organizational Leadership – December 2023

2. Reconnect with my Spanish speaking family and colleagues to become fluent in

Spanish – December 2023

3. Begin continuous volunteer efforts with my daughter at local food banks or events

focused on differently abled athletes – January 2024

4. Move into a managerial position withn my organization – January 2024

5. Complete my Project Management Professional (PMP) certification – January 2024

6. Travel to different countries to learn about their cultures – January 2025

7. Earn a master’s degree in Organizational Leaderaship – May 2026

8. Progress into an upper management positon within my organization – December 2026

9. Complete my Organizational Tranformation Orchestration (OTO) certification – May

2027

10. Complete my Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP) certification – May 2028

2) 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

Last Update: May 2021 7

 precious things you are willing to sacrifice, besides time, to achieve your BHAG?

Why?

I am willing to sacrifice living where I want to live. Working in technology, many people

feel that Silicon Valley is the best place to thrive. I currently live in Morgan Hill, CA

which is considered Silicon Valley. Between the cost of living and the traffic, I am over

stimulated and in constant need to getting away from the chaos. I can fulfil my BHAG

any where technology is utilized.

Feeling that I am in the majority, I can freely admit that I like nice things and vacationing

often. I enjoy these comforts but these are things that I feel that I can sacrifice to fulfill

my BHAG. At my age, I have already come to the conclusion that I work very hard to

have a life that I constantly need to get away from which does not make sense to me. Yes,

the younger me would be proud at the house, car, lifestyle I have earned and grown

accustomed to, but I now feel that I dug myself into a hole that I cannot get out of. My

job is just that, a job. I do not leave feeling fulfilled or accomplished. In my newly

developed position, I am working my way to where I want to be but I have a long way to

go.

I am willing to sacrifice or at least push off expanding my family. As a young adult, I

expected to have a few children. Now, at the young age of forty, I have one that I am

completely obsessed with, in the best way possible. Culturally, Latinos have a lot of

children, consequently they do not have a lot of time to support their children. I feel this

outdated standard of living needs to be changed in order to improve our quality of life.

Last Update: May 2021 8

 There are other ways to expand my family, such as adoption or fostering, in the future but

for now I feel that sacrificing this desire is appropriate.

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? My first goal is to complete the Project Management

Professional (PMP) certification by January 2024.

a. Specific: In addition to completing my bachelors degree in Organizational Leadership

and Business, the successful completion of the Project Management Professional

(PMP) certification by January 2024 will complete the requirements I need to meet

for the desires promotional position within my organization.

b. Measurable: The certificate will be the means of measuring my completion.Without

doing the work and passing the rigorous exam, I will not earn the certificate.

Last Update: May 2021 9

 c. Attainable: This is possible because my forthcoming bachelor's degree will provide

me with the requirements needed to go directly in to a PMP program instead of the

lower Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) program.

d. Relevant: This is crucial to me because it is a stepping stone to be able to move into

the technical administration field that I want to pursue.

e. Time-Based: I will complete this program by the end of 2023 or at the latest early

2024. This timeline is based on exam schedules that I do not have control over.

2) What is your #2 Goal? My next goal is to earn my Master’s degree by May 2026.

a. Specific: Complete my Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership by May 2026

which allows me to have time to pay off my student loan for my Bachelor’s degree.

b. Measureable: I will have the degree in my possession and will be able to proudly

display it.

c. Attainable: This goal is attainable because I will have already completed my

Bachelor’s degree and an additional few years of experience.

d. Relevant: This degree is not a requirement for positions I seek in my department but

it will make me more of a competitive candidate, not just a qualified one.

Last Update: May 2021 10

 e. Time-Based: I intend to begin my Master’s degree program in May of 2024 which

would allow the standard two years to complete the program.

Last Update: May 2021 11