Goals Paper
As I have reviewed advertisements for jobs that I am interested in, I am noticing that nearly all require a college degree. Experience can be substituted in some of these cases, but others absolutely require a degree. During the pandemic I have found that my quality of life is improved by not having to commute to Washington, DC every day. I would like to find a new job that allows me to take on additional management responsibilities for a company that allows telecommuting for a few days a week. I have decided to seek a degree to validate my level of qualification for a new job.
The first steps in making me more qualified for a new job are gaining some new certifications and completing a certificate at NOVA.
Short-Term Goals (1 year)
· Study for and pass the Microsoft DP-900 certification in July 2021.
· Study for and pass the Microsoft AZ-900 certification by September 1, 2021.
· Obtain a Business Information Technology certificate at NOVA in summer 2021.
· Try the Prince William Rowing Club camp for Adult Novices in June 2021 to see if it is a sport I would like to pursue.
Once these foundational certifications are completed, I hope to find a new job with management responsibilities in the data administration field. I will continue to work towards additional education and certifications.
Mid-Term Goals (5 years)
· Earn Associate of Arts degree at NOVA by 2022.
· Study for and pass Microsoft Azure for the Data Engineer certification.
· Transfer to George Mason University and complete a bachelor’s degree in some branch of information technology.
With formal education competed, I will focus on developing my career. The Information Technology field is always changing. This will require keeping current with industry certifications. I will also be nearing retirement age and want to be financially secure enough to enjoy retirement.
Long-Term Goals (10 years)
· Study for and complete Microsoft Solutions Architect certification.
· Be saving fifteen percent or more of my income towards retirement.
· Mentor younger women in STEM.
Setting these goals has allowed me to gain some focus for my life. I feel that completing additional formal education will allow me to advance further in my career.