Career and colleges Choices

Well I have to admit that making a choice that suits my needs is one of the most challenging decisions I ever faced. Yet sooner rather than later, I have to make it. Between my heart and my head, I could not find anything in common. I believe that the ideal does not exist, so I have to create it myself. My ideal choice is the one that suits most of my priorities. I did the decision style window, and I found myself in the window 2, the sacrifice style (Dislike-Practical). It is unusual to have an option that satisfies you in every way. Since my choice might influence others’ lives, I decided to go by priority and do trade off.
I thought that Accounting major was the right choice that suits all my needs. However, when I had my mentor interview, I was shocked when my interviewee mentioned that Accounting diplomat or even CPA form the U.S.A has not credit back in my country. Since I’m planning to go back to my country, Morocco, this becomes a real problem. What should I do?
I had chose Accounting and Finance as majors and I chose Baruch College and New York University as my colleges choices. However, after I read the chapter six in our book “Turning Points” I found out that none of these choices is right for me for the following reasons.
First of all, Accounting major or career is fruitless. Since I’m planning to go back to my country, where only France and Canadian accounting standards are creditable, accounting diplomat form the U.S.A is going to be useless.
Second, Finance major is against my beliefs. When I read the chapter six from “Turning points” written by Ducat, her question, “Does your major fits your principles?” was a big hit for me. I do not know why I did not think about this point. Finance is based on interest, and my religion is against that.
I felt that my three years of research gathering information about these two majors was useless. Nevertheless, I’m really glad that I still have time to find something else that can suit my priorities.
For colleges, Baruch College was my first choice and New York University was my second one, yet when I talked to one of my classmates I found out that having a big name college in my resume can be a big plus. I chose Baruch because it is the best one among CUNY Colleges. However, after that chat I changed my mind.
I’m really glad that CEP121 was an opining eye for me. This class really helped me figure out that what I want is not necessary the right thing to do.
As a result, I started all over again, and I spent my last two weeks looking for new majors that I like and also can suit my needs. I took into my consideration International Business and Economics majors. After all, I feel that I get talents in Business, and I’m welling to improve them in a Business major and International Business and Economics are Business majors.
I still need to do more research about these to new majors, and I still looking for other opportunities and majors.
For colleges, I took in consideration my classmate point of view, especially when I got accepted by New York University, and I had an official letter from Columbia University inviting me for a special academic advising. Baruch College still in my list, but it is my third choice after NYU and Columbia University.
I still need to do a lot of research, and I still need to gather a lot of information, but I feel really comfortable about abandoning Accounting and Finance as majors. After all, I need to watch the ball, if I want to choose the right career because I do not want to waste my time or money redoing things again.

Mentor Interview

I got a mentor interview after calling four companies. It was not easy, I had the same answer three times, “Sorry we are in high session right now, and most of our employees are busy right now.” However, “we are busy, but our manger will be happy to help a LaGuardia student.” Was finally what I was looking for. I meet Mrs. Boubssis Nabila who is the manager in LIC at Wayland, Inc. She is about 33 years old; she graduated from LaGuardia in 2006 major Accounting; also, she got her BBA in Accounting from Roosevelt University IL, Chicago.
Right now she is a CPA candidate, and she is seeking a PHD in Accounting as well. Since I choose accounting, I tried to have as much information as I could. Boubsis and I we had a lunch together, and we spent almost one hour talking about Accounting as a professional career for a mother like me and for women in general, and here is the summary of our interview
She believes that accounting is very good for someone who is seeking good money in a short time. Also, she believes that it’s not boring and not stressful career. Accounting is the number 10th in “The Best Job in 2009”. It’s one of the best jobs in North America in terms of stress level (low), compensation (high) and career placement after graduation (fast). It is easy for a new graduate to find good trainings. Boubsis said,” I found my first job one session before my graduation from Lagcc.” She had a full time training in her CEP 201 class, and the same company hired her after for a full time job.
Boubsis believes that Accounting is all about skills in addition to knowledge. It helps also to learn some skills. Accounting provides the means for organizing, summarizing and interpreting information about economic activities within companies and organizations; and I can tell from her Disk that she is very neat. Also, she said Accounting is not just all about data and numbers; Accountants play a critical and ever-changing role in processing by providing relevant information to decision-makers and by acting as advisors in its interpretation. Accountants engage in a wide variety of activities besides preparing financial statements and recording business transactions including computing costs and efficiency gains from new technologies, participating in strategies for mergers and acquisitions, quality management, developing and using information systems to track financial performance, tax strategy, and health care benefits management. Accountants are needed within business organizations to provide information to business managers and to control business operations.
In addition, she believes that there are so many job opportunities in Accounting major. Many persons with an Accounting background work in the public sector. Government accountants and auditors maintain and examine the records of government agencies and audit private businesses and individuals whose activities are subject to government regulations or taxation. Accountants can also work independently of businesses as public accountants providing management services, taxation advice and independent audit service, which lend credibility to financial and other information.
I asked her that I needed more information on the different types of accountants, needed schooling hours, and the salary range, and how I do not want to be going to school for a long time, and how my major can affect my responsibility since I have a family to care for. Which type would be the best for me? I'm interested in either, certified public accountant or a chartered accountant, is there any other type; also, I asked about the other side of accounting career- negative side-
She said that it depends on what type of accounting I go into. Typically accounting requires a 4 year college degree. If the person wishes to become a CPA that requires an additional 30 credit hours, so basically it requires a Masters degree that can usually be done in 1 year after receiving a bachelor.
Accountants for one of the Big 4 accounting firms usually make the most money. She thinks it's about 40-50K to start; it's possible to make $100K after 5-7 years. However, the hours are long and it can be very stressful especially around tax season.
If a person wishes to do accounting for the government/non profit a CPA is usually not required pay is usually less she thinks for the fed government he or she may start at about 35-40K depending on the location. However government jobs usually have better vacation/health benefits and you only work 40 hours a week.
Accounting is a safer career; it’s worth bearing in mind that accountants are in perennial short supply. Furthermore, Boubsis feels very sure that her chose to Accounting as a career is very wise decision; Accounting jobs are plentiful even in the current weak economy and the money for well trained accountants is good. Taxes, audits, bookkeeping will always need to be done. With the various financial scandals in recent years, the field has expanded.
Accounting is a very good career for people how likes numbers and cannot work under stress all time. It takes four years to have a BBA in Accounting. Accountants can make good money. However, I found out that CPA and Accounting in general do not have any credit back in my country. Morocco considers France and Canadian Accounting standards instead. Therefore, and because I want to go back to my country; or any place in North Africa, the Middle East, or Europe; any diplomat of Accounting will be fruitless.
After three years of research about accounting, I found out that BBA in Accounting or even CPA is not worth it for me, and I have to start over looking for a career that not only fit my needs but also it can be creditable back in my country.

Successful Person Interview Report

Well in life we meet people everyday; some of them might influence our lives in different ways and some just pass through like shadows.
In this successful job interview report, I have an example of a self-made person. I met this person accidentally four years ago in JFK airport, and we become the best friend ever after.
I have done this Interview last year in on of my Urban Study classes, and I’m using the same person because it is an example of how a person should be, and how believing in yourself can be a real motive to success .
Nabil Zahmoul is from Tunis the Capital of Tunisia. He has been in the U.S for more than Twelve years. NABIL is 39 years old. He is a well known and an important person in The Middle East Currency Market, a part of Europe and Canada. He is a graduate student from IHES (Number 1 Business school in Tunisia) in Business Administration; major Marketing. He worked as a Marketing Director in his country before he moved to New York. He studied the computer science at Pace University. He got the series 3 exam (an exam administered by NFA (the National Futures Association)) which is a very important exam in the forex market. He is currently preparing for CFA designation (chartered financial analyst), and he is MBA student in NYU. Nabil or McNabil is now the Head of Business development at CMS. He speaks French, Arabic, Italian, and English languages. I had an interview with Mr. Nabil in his office at CMS (Capital Market Services) which is located at 64th floor the Empire State Building.
Mr. Zahmoul explained to me how had it was for him to start all over again; however, it not impossible. As he used to say,” when there is a will there is a way.” When first I met him he said, “It is never too late to start over, and if you can not do something, change you way how you looking at it.” and I never forgot his saying.
From a Director in marketing Mr. Zahmoul found himself as a busboy in downtown Manhattan, and after spending more than eight years as a yellow taxi driver, he found a job as a real state agent, and then a retails sales person in CMS before he became the Head of Business development.
Nabil thought me a lot of things about living in New York. He was the one who influenced my life in a good way. When I got the blues sometimes, he was the one supporting me to start over again.
Mr. Nabil explained to me the Forex Market when I decided to trade currencies. The Forex market is the most liquid market in world; more than 4 trillion dollars are traded daily.
Mr. Nabil made it clear for me that education is a key for success in this country, and it is not a piece of cake. It is very challenging to leave everything you had before and come to another country and started all over again. However, it is the right way. It is a long one, but definitely it leads a person to a good ending. In lease the person has other talents, so he or she can use them to improve his or her living.
I was really glad to have Nabil as a friend. He was really helpful, and he was the one who convinces me that success after straggles is very tasty, and believing in yourself is a key to success.

Good Luck everyone

Just a few days before the end of this session, I would like to thank everyone in class. This is the first time when I have the chance to meet and chat with my classmates, not like before when I used to feel like an anonymous. In- class activities were really helpful to know each other and to make a safer atmosphere for knowledge. Therefore, I would like to think all of you for making this session so special for me. Also, I would like to think Professor William for his time and his advice, and for giving us the opportunity to know each other. I wish to all of you a lot of luck and success.

Change of Plan

Well after I had a long chat with one of my classmates, I figure out that the name of school that a student is going to is very important. Also, we talked about majors and careers and how the person need to take into consideration a lot of things before making his or her mind. Sending time and money are really priceless, so as students we need to think twice before making any careless decision. I send a lot of time recently talking about majors and school where I need to go to; yet I feel that I still need to do a lot of research, but I’m comfortable with my new ways of thinking. I would like to think you her for her time, and I would like to say, “Your advices were really helpful.”

Mock Job Interview

Mock job interview was really a good experience to live. Students might be anxious about job interviews; however, they need to have at least one, and here are some job interview questions and answers. I found online some questions and answers for job interviews, and I want to share them with you:
Tell me about yourself.
It seems like an easy interview question. Its open ended. I can talk about whatever I want from the birth canal forward. Right?

Wrong. What the hiring manager really wants is a quick, two- to three-minute snapshot of who you are and why youre the best candidate for this position.

So as you answer this question, talk about what youve done to prepare yourself to be the very best candidate for the position. Use an example or two to back it up. Then ask if they would like more details. If they do, keep giving them example after example of your background and experience. Always point back to an example when you have the opportunity.

Tell me about yourself does not mean tell me everything. Just tell me what makes you the best.

Why should I hire you?
The easy answer is that you are the best person for the job. And dont be afraid to say so. But then back it up with what specifically differentiates you.

For example: You should hire me because Im the best person for the job. I realize that there are likely other candidates who also have the ability to do this job. Yet I bring an additional quality that makes me the best person for the job--my passion for excellence. I am passionately committed to producing truly world class results. For example . . .

Are you the best person for the job? Show it by your passionate examples.

What is your long-range objective?
Make my job easy for me. Make me want to hire you.

The key is to focus on your achievable objectives and what you are doing to reach those objectives.

For example: Within five years, I would like to become the very best accountant your company has on staff. I want to work toward becoming the expert that others rely upon. And in doing so, I feel Ill be fully prepared to take on any greater responsibilities which might be presented in the long term. For example, here is what Im presently doing to prepare myself . . .

Then go on to show by your examples what you are doing to reach your goals and objectives.

How has your education prepared you for your career?
This is a broad question and you need to focus on the behavioral examples in your educational background which specifically align to the required competencies for the career.

An example: My education has focused on not only the learning the fundamentals, but also on the practical application of the information learned within those classes. For example, I played a lead role in a class project where we gathered and analyzed best practice data from this industry. Let me tell you more about the results . . .

Focus on behavioral examples supporting the key competencies for the career. Then ask if they would like to hear more examples.

Are you a team player?
Almost everyone says yes to this question. But it is not just a yes/no question. You need to provide behavioral examples to back up your answer.

A sample answer: Yes, Im very much a team player. In fact, Ive had opportunities in my work, school and athletics to develop my skills as a team player. For example, on a recent project . . .

Emphasize teamwork behavioral examples and focus on your openness to diversity of backgrounds. Talk about the strength of the team above the individual. And note that this question may be used as a lead in to questions around how you handle conflict within a team, so be prepared.

Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or professor? How was it resolved?
Note that if you say no, most interviewers will keep drilling deeper to find a conflict. The key is how you behaviorally reacted to conflict and what you did to resolve it.

For example: Yes, I have had conflicts in the past. Never major ones, but there have been disagreements that needed to be resolved. I've found that when conflict occurs, it helps to fully understand the other persons perspective, so I take time to listen to their point of view, then I seek to work out a collaborative solution. For example . . .

Focus your answer on the behavioral process for resolving the conflict and working collaboratively.

What is your greatest weakness?
Most career books tell you to select a strength and present it as a weakness. Such as: I work too much. I just work and work and work. Wrong. First of all, using a strength and presenting it as a weakness is deceiving. Second, it misses the point of the question.

You should select a weakness that you have been actively working to overcome. For example: I have had trouble in the past with planning and prioritization. However, Im now taking steps to correct this. I just started using a pocket planner . . . then show them your planner and how you are using it.

Talk about a true weakness and show what you are doing to overcome it.

If I were to ask your professors to describe you, what would they say?
This is a threat of reference check question. Do not wait for the interview to know the answer. Ask any prior bosses or professors in advance. And if theyre willing to provide a positive reference, ask them for a letter of recommendation.

Then you can answer the question like this:

I believe she would say I'm a very energetic person, that Im results oriented and one of the best people she has ever worked with. Actually, I know she would say that, because those are her very words. May I show you her letter of recommendation?

So be prepared in advance with your letters of recommendation.

What qualities do you feel a successful manager should have? Focus on two words: leadership and vision.

Here is a sample of how to respond: The key quality in a successful manager should be leadership--the ability to be the visionary for the people who are working under them. The person who can set the course and direction for subordinates. The highest calling of a true leader is inspiring others to reach the highest of their abilities. I'd like to tell you about a person whom I consider to be a true leader . . .

Then give an example of someone who has touched your life and how their impact has helped in your personal development.

If you had to live your life over again, what one thing would you change?
Focus on a key turning point in your life or missed opportunity. Yet also tie it forward to what you are doing to still seek to make that change.

For example: Although Im overall very happy with where Im at in my life, the one aspect I likely would have changed would be focusing earlier on my chosen career. I had a great internship this past year and look forward to more experience in the field. I simply wish I would have focused here earlier. For example, I learned on my recent internship… …then provide examples.

Stay focused on positive direction in your life and back it up with examples.

In reviewing these responses, please remember that they are only to be viewed samples. Please do not rehearse them verbatim or adopt them as your own. They are meant to stir your creative juices and get you thinking about how to properly answer the broader range of questions that you will face.


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Making Choices

I have to admit making a choice that suit my needs is one of the most challenging decision I ever faced. Yet sooner rather than later, I have to make it. Between my heart and my head, I could not find anything in common. I believe that the ideal does not exist, so I have to create it myself. My ideal choice is the one that suit most of my priorities. I did the decision style window, and I found myself in the window 2, the sacrifice style (Dislike-Practical). It is unusual to have an option that satisfies you in every way. Since my choice might influence others’ lives, I decided to go by priority and do trade off.

To learn

I received something from a friend, and I wanted to share it with you. It might be helpful for people who have the feeling that they are unseful in others' lives or even in their own lives.

Group Project

It was an awesome idea to work with others from different backgrounds. It was not easy to find something in common at the beginning, but it was not impossible also. As we started chatting with each other we found that even with different careers and different goals we can work it out to find a middle terrain where we can all work together. Meeting people from different backgrounds give you chance to learn more about others’ thinking. Even though you think that there is nothing in common between you and others, it is amazing to find out how much diversity can give. It gives people chances to learn and discover new ways of thinking and not to be locked in your culture standards. Chatting with others can bring a lot of thing that sometimes you cannot think of yourself.