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Professional Autobiography
As a young adult, I knew that I wanted to be involved in business. In the beginning, I believed my love for numbers was guiding me to a career in accounting. Because of this, I started my college studies at Kansas State University pursuing my undergraduate degree in accounting. However, as I began the required core accounting classes, I came to realize that I needed more than just numbers to hold my interest. During my third year at K-State, I took a class in quality which captured my attention. At that time, quality was not a required business class as the American culture was just beginning to embrace the benefits of the teachings of Deming. I decided that I really enjoyed the production side of business, working with numbers via capacity planning and linear equations used to evaluate resource constraints. In the middle of my college career I switched gears away from accounting and changed to a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Production Operations.
While I held various professional positions after receiving my degree in 1991, I believe my real professional life began when I started working for Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron company. The experiences I had gained from previous jobs offered me the opportunity to begin at Cessna as a Senior Buyer. These pre-Cessna experiences included working as a senior buyer for Russell Stover Candies, a Production Coordinator for All Packaging Company, a Director of Retail for Express Designs, and a buyer for Raytheon Aircraft. All of these positions entailed some form of supply chain, either directly or indirectly. Never in my younger years did I think I wanted to be a supply chain professional when I grew up. But, that is where my career path has taken me as outlined in Artifact #1, my current resume.
During my tenure with Cessna, I have been provided numerous opportunities for continued education and advancement. It was my quest for further education that allowed me to achieve my Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) certification in 2006. Two years later, in 2008, I received my Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) certification. While working on this certification, I also was provided the opportunity to participate in Textron’s Six Sigma program and received my green belt certification in 2008 as well. In addition to these certifications, Cessna has provided me with extensive training programs including Tactical Procurement offered through Textron University and Strategic Supply Chain Management Program sponsored by the Broad Graduate School at Michigan State University. My advancement opportunities include the promotion to Purchasing Agent and Purchasing Supervisor. Unfortunately, my title and job changed to Purchasing Specialist after the recession of 2008 as the company underwent numerous organizational changes and restructures. Currently, I work as a Purchasing Specialist for the strategic group within the Fabricated Aerostructures Commodity Team. My current responsibilities are outlined in Artifact #2, my professional biography.
Reasons for Enrollment
During the economic downturn that began in 2008, Cessna went from a company employing approximately 12,000 employees to having around 5,000 employees on the payroll. Most companies had to take similar drastic measures in order to survive. Many professionals found themselves in a position they never dreamed –unemployed. The labor pool was now full of well-qualified and highly-educated candidates searching for any employment they could find, even if it was below their current qualifications. In my mind, if it can happen to them, it could happen to me. I needed to make myself more professionally marketable. I had already experienced being turned down for a promotion because the other candidate had their MBA. I did not want to have that happen again. Harvey states“It is a mistake to see an MBA as a short-term gain....If you don't do an MBA, there's always a danger you will limit your options or find promotion blocked beyond a certain level” (n.d.). I know an MBA will open doors to my career that would not be available to employees without this accreditation. The recent recession has proven to be unprecedented, and highly unlikely to happen again in my lifetime. However, I prefer to be prepared should the unlikely occur.
Overview of What I Have Gained
Prior to the pursuit of my MBA, my business knowledge was focused more on the day-to-day activities required to complete my job. I did not have a sound foundation of the higher-level strategies and vision of the companies for which I worked. As I have gone through the MBA program, I have had several “ah-ha” moments where another piece of the puzzle fell into place. During my career with Cessna, messages have been communicated down from senior leadership in regards to strategic goals and objectives. It has only been through the knowledge I have gained through the MBA program that I have been able to step back and take a look at the bigger picture. Now, while I have my operational goals and objectives that are expected during my tenure with the company, I also have a better understanding of how those tie into the direction the company is trying to go. Because of this higher-level thinking, I find myself more comfortable in my interactions with upper management. I am more confident since I have a better understanding of all of the differing issues with which they are dealing. The best way to sum up what I have
gained would be to say that I have obtained the ability to move out of working within a vacuum only focused on my daily activities to an elevated perspective of the business overall.
Future Professional Goals
I seem to have developed a talent for the ability to work with people from all differing various organizational disciplines, from engineering, M & P, operations, and finance. This aptitude has been cultivated through experiences gained through many team and group settings. I have had the opportunity to work on teams formed to solve a particular problem, improve processes, and share important information. Artifact #3, a letter of recommendation, is an example of this aptitude with my participation in the formation of Cessna’s leather council. By pairing this capacity with the knowledge gained through the MBA program, I would like to guide my professional career toward a program management position. I believe the interaction with diverse departments will provide the challenge I seek within my career. I have already had some exposure to this recently as I spent the last year program managing a large initiative to reduce our supply base and oversee the necessary sourcing and transitions activities necessary to reach the goals given. As I am one that believes in continuing education, I would like this pursuit to include a certification as a Program Management Professional (PgMT).
Introduction to My Eportfolio
This portfolio is an expression of my journey through the MBA program at Southwestern College Professional Studies. Within each page, you will find the steps I have taken toward broadening my learning horizon. Within each page, I have included different examples of my educational growth and enlightenment on specific subject matter and outcomes. The pages include my reflections and examples of such for the following:
· Integrate and apply key business concepts and theories to create and implement solutions for real world organizational challenges.
· Recognize the importance of developing shared goals for an organization’s financial and non-financial measurements, policies, and
practices to meet strategic plans.
· Assess the value and importance of legal and ethical implications of conducting business in a global environment.
· Exhibit poise and confidence in verbal, interpersonal, and written communication.
· Demonstrate the ability to build and develop continuous learning opportunities in the key areas of business administration.
I hope you enjoy your travels through my eportfolio as much as I have enjoyed my journey through the MBA program.
References
Harvey, K. (2004, Apr 03). Are the returns from an MBA worth the cost? ; think hard before doing a business master’s degree, says kathy harvey
times are changing. The Independent. Retrieved from
http://ezproxy.sckans.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/310615077?accountid=13979
As a young adult, I knew that I wanted to be involved in business. In the beginning, I believed my love for numbers was guiding me to a career in accounting. Because of this, I started my college studies at Kansas State University pursuing my undergraduate degree in accounting. However, as I began the required core accounting classes, I came to realize that I needed more than just numbers to hold my interest. During my third year at K-State, I took a class in quality which captured my attention. At that time, quality was not a required business class as the American culture was just beginning to embrace the benefits of the teachings of Deming. I decided that I really enjoyed the production side of business, working with numbers via capacity planning and linear equations used to evaluate resource constraints. In the middle of my college career I switched gears away from accounting and changed to a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Production Operations.
While I held various professional positions after receiving my degree in 1991, I believe my real professional life began when I started working for Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron company. The experiences I had gained from previous jobs offered me the opportunity to begin at Cessna as a Senior Buyer. These pre-Cessna experiences included working as a senior buyer for Russell Stover Candies, a Production Coordinator for All Packaging Company, a Director of Retail for Express Designs, and a buyer for Raytheon Aircraft. All of these positions entailed some form of supply chain, either directly or indirectly. Never in my younger years did I think I wanted to be a supply chain professional when I grew up. But, that is where my career path has taken me as outlined in Artifact #1, my current resume.
During my tenure with Cessna, I have been provided numerous opportunities for continued education and advancement. It was my quest for further education that allowed me to achieve my Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) certification in 2006. Two years later, in 2008, I received my Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) certification. While working on this certification, I also was provided the opportunity to participate in Textron’s Six Sigma program and received my green belt certification in 2008 as well. In addition to these certifications, Cessna has provided me with extensive training programs including Tactical Procurement offered through Textron University and Strategic Supply Chain Management Program sponsored by the Broad Graduate School at Michigan State University. My advancement opportunities include the promotion to Purchasing Agent and Purchasing Supervisor. Unfortunately, my title and job changed to Purchasing Specialist after the recession of 2008 as the company underwent numerous organizational changes and restructures. Currently, I work as a Purchasing Specialist for the strategic group within the Fabricated Aerostructures Commodity Team. My current responsibilities are outlined in Artifact #2, my professional biography.
Reasons for Enrollment
During the economic downturn that began in 2008, Cessna went from a company employing approximately 12,000 employees to having around 5,000 employees on the payroll. Most companies had to take similar drastic measures in order to survive. Many professionals found themselves in a position they never dreamed –unemployed. The labor pool was now full of well-qualified and highly-educated candidates searching for any employment they could find, even if it was below their current qualifications. In my mind, if it can happen to them, it could happen to me. I needed to make myself more professionally marketable. I had already experienced being turned down for a promotion because the other candidate had their MBA. I did not want to have that happen again. Harvey states“It is a mistake to see an MBA as a short-term gain....If you don't do an MBA, there's always a danger you will limit your options or find promotion blocked beyond a certain level” (n.d.). I know an MBA will open doors to my career that would not be available to employees without this accreditation. The recent recession has proven to be unprecedented, and highly unlikely to happen again in my lifetime. However, I prefer to be prepared should the unlikely occur.
Overview of What I Have Gained
Prior to the pursuit of my MBA, my business knowledge was focused more on the day-to-day activities required to complete my job. I did not have a sound foundation of the higher-level strategies and vision of the companies for which I worked. As I have gone through the MBA program, I have had several “ah-ha” moments where another piece of the puzzle fell into place. During my career with Cessna, messages have been communicated down from senior leadership in regards to strategic goals and objectives. It has only been through the knowledge I have gained through the MBA program that I have been able to step back and take a look at the bigger picture. Now, while I have my operational goals and objectives that are expected during my tenure with the company, I also have a better understanding of how those tie into the direction the company is trying to go. Because of this higher-level thinking, I find myself more comfortable in my interactions with upper management. I am more confident since I have a better understanding of all of the differing issues with which they are dealing. The best way to sum up what I have
gained would be to say that I have obtained the ability to move out of working within a vacuum only focused on my daily activities to an elevated perspective of the business overall.
Future Professional Goals
I seem to have developed a talent for the ability to work with people from all differing various organizational disciplines, from engineering, M & P, operations, and finance. This aptitude has been cultivated through experiences gained through many team and group settings. I have had the opportunity to work on teams formed to solve a particular problem, improve processes, and share important information. Artifact #3, a letter of recommendation, is an example of this aptitude with my participation in the formation of Cessna’s leather council. By pairing this capacity with the knowledge gained through the MBA program, I would like to guide my professional career toward a program management position. I believe the interaction with diverse departments will provide the challenge I seek within my career. I have already had some exposure to this recently as I spent the last year program managing a large initiative to reduce our supply base and oversee the necessary sourcing and transitions activities necessary to reach the goals given. As I am one that believes in continuing education, I would like this pursuit to include a certification as a Program Management Professional (PgMT).
Introduction to My Eportfolio
This portfolio is an expression of my journey through the MBA program at Southwestern College Professional Studies. Within each page, you will find the steps I have taken toward broadening my learning horizon. Within each page, I have included different examples of my educational growth and enlightenment on specific subject matter and outcomes. The pages include my reflections and examples of such for the following:
· Integrate and apply key business concepts and theories to create and implement solutions for real world organizational challenges.
· Recognize the importance of developing shared goals for an organization’s financial and non-financial measurements, policies, and
practices to meet strategic plans.
· Assess the value and importance of legal and ethical implications of conducting business in a global environment.
· Exhibit poise and confidence in verbal, interpersonal, and written communication.
· Demonstrate the ability to build and develop continuous learning opportunities in the key areas of business administration.
I hope you enjoy your travels through my eportfolio as much as I have enjoyed my journey through the MBA program.
References
Harvey, K. (2004, Apr 03). Are the returns from an MBA worth the cost? ; think hard before doing a business master’s degree, says kathy harvey
times are changing. The Independent. Retrieved from
http://ezproxy.sckans.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/310615077?accountid=13979