Preparing for an internship
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Personal Reflection
Studying at master’s level has not only been interesting but also great steps towards realizing my aspirations in pursuing a future career in international business management. Having had a previous advantage in pursuing and acquiring graduate certificate in International Management from the University Of Salford (2013), the current studies at masters level serves a great deal in preparing and enhancing my capacity for a managerial position as is my aspirations.
Besides, my past as well as present engagement in working environment has served to improve on my desire and interest towards practicing international business management in the future. These experience and learning insights have become very fundamental in complementing the classroom experience where it has been serving as a practice session. The experience has given me a strong sense of competitiveness in carrying out management tasks and thus incorporating the classroom experience with the corporate work. Undertaking the role as translator, interpreting documents and liaising face-to-face with clients to ensure accuracy in the intended message has been much fulfilling as part of tasks that I undertake within my current job designation. Moreover, I enjoy drawing upon sound interpersonal and communicative abilities when dealing with sensitive client issues and ensuring the utmost discretion when handling private matters. I also have amassed excellent IT skills through the extensive use of MS Office Applications including Word and excel
My studies as a master’s student increases my capacity to handle complex assignments as are often handled within such a job designation and this works to increase my interest and exposure in the field. Through wide reading, I understand better and get new insights concerning human resource management practices as part of international business relations. Besides, I developed new skills in conducting surveys and interviews for data collection through the academic research and assignments. Besides, the academic research skills have been instrumental in perfecting my analytical skills while statistically analyzing the data collected. The experience perfected the art of making deductions and conclusions while conducting a research study besides making appropriate recommendations, as is part of the management responsibilities (Anon, nd, p. 18-20).
As management student at advanced level, the experience through past studies in the field have been and will be very fundamental in offering a real life experience in international business management issues within corporate sector. Besides, my hope to advance my studies in business management through postgraduate level will be realized upon the successful completion of my master’s studies and thus, the experience gained will be very instrumental while carrying out subsequent assignments both at internship as well as at my job placement after school. Moreover, my aspiration is to work in international business managerial positions and thus, studying management at masters is most relevant to my future career.
The compulsory internship programs for the master’s students as required in the curriculum also has a great role to play as it will give me an opportunity for assessing developed and acquired skills through learning as well as through practice (Anon, 2007, p.1). Among the basic skills to be considered are communication, learning, self management, team working, information literacy, information technology, numeracy, career management and development as well as critical thinking and decision making. However, despite exhibiting great competence in all the skills outlined, information technology rates a bit lower for the reason of incompetence in utilizing internet for academic research. This therefore forms my action point and I am determined to improve on it by the time I complete my master’s education program. This is because many international correspondences are currently being undertaken through such technology as internet and hence the need for proper mastery.
Preparing for an internship
The internship/placement experience is not only necessary for professional competence but it is also a mandatory requirement by the school. It is however worth noting that securing an internship position within international businesses as tedious and competitive as securing a professional job within the international businesses.
I intend to pursue a future career path in international business management with specialization in accountancy. Accountancy as a filed in international business management entails a number of competencies which the employers seek to identify within interested candidates to such a position. There are basic skills and competencies that the field of accountancy requires and they include in-depth understanding of accounting practices, principles, methods, theories as well as terminologies. Moreover, the specialization entails having mastery in office practices and such routines. Concerning financial control programs and practices, one is required to exhibit mastery in computerized accounting applications as well as terminologies. This is in accordance to the emerging trends in the field of accounting where modern accounting practices adopt the computerized systems for effectiveness and efficiency. Communication is equally vital; both written and spoken for efficiency in interpersonal relations. Errors and omissions are often encountered in accounting procedures, which therefore requires that practice is inevitable in order to avoid the effects of such errors towards an organization and individual practitioner’s career. Among the most known practices through which accounting errors are avoided is through embracing technology and embracing auditing procedures, practices and principles. Computerized accounting is also viewed to have greatly revolutionized the field of accounting through speedy accounting procedures, which increases efficiency and accuracy. The financial book entry procedures as well as costing knowledge is required in collecting, preparing, organizing, presenting and interpreting accurate as well as reliable financial reports and data.
The ability to solve and handle complex accounting issues and make reasonable and accurate recommendations are also prerequisite competencies that are necessary in the field of accountancy. This therefore resonates on the previously discussed attributes of effective communication and interpersonal relations/public relations (Michigan Civil Service Commission, 2006, p. 1-5). It is however worth noting that some countries as well as companies look for such other professional qualifications as CPA as well as CMA for substitution of entry-level experience, which is paramount in the field. This therefore shows that such qualifications allow a candidate to compete favorably against such other interested parties with the professional experience. It is also necessary that one notes on the essence of teamwork in the profession as interactions and complex issues would require the collaborative efforts in pursuit of solutions (Anonymous webpage, n.d, para 1-4). Reporting procedures on the other hand requires that accurate data is collected in order to write and present unbiased accounting reports. I therefore endeavor to perfect on such skills as presented in the discussion to be basic and prerequisite towards effectiveness and efficiency in the profession.
Key basic skills for accountancy Teamwork at the place of work (Anonymous webpage, n.d, para 1-2)
Improved public relations for Effective communication (Michigan Civil Service Commission, 2006, p. 1-5)
Computerized accounting experience requires mastery of computerized accounting procedures and programs to realize competency
Substitution of entry level experience in the field through mastery in CPA and CMA
I have small experiences in past placements, which worked to improve on management capacity as is well documented within my cv and relevant academic testimonials. This therefore explains m interest and enthusiasm in pursuing accountancy and management career for my future. Having previously studied basic economics stands to strengthen my capacity to deliver in international accountancy career. As a social science and the adoption of analytical skills for the studies in economic, the subject becomes vital in the career development. Besides, I continue to pursue my education to improve and polish on the competencies necessary for the field in context. I have and continues to improved my mastery in communications skills as well as computer proficiency for the purpose of relevance in the career line which requires the capacity to communicate in written and spoken language as well as exhibit mastery in computer packages (Gillis, 1990, p.68-69). However, my academic testimonials and cv fails to effectively express my skills in team work as basic traits for the accountancy field. Social functions such as peer dinners as well as leadership in academic clubs have been some of the instruments that have helped to refine my team working capacity. Besides, I have been very active in extracurricular activities such as sporting at lower levels of academics and in some instances being the leader. This would also reveal my competence in such teamwork and interpersonal relations.
I have therefore learnt that self-drive, excellent interpersonal relations as well as good decision-making competencies are all prerequisite to effectiveness in serving other people in an organization. This is from the understanding that people differ in a number of areas such as diversity exhibited by the diversity in peer cultures, practices, understanding as well as languages among students. Leadership position thus necessitates that one succeeds in mobilizing the team through unity towards common goals amidst all such differences noted.
Importance to my career: basic to my excellence in academics is the capacity to exploit the teamwork resource in discussions and assignments. This equips me in skills necessary in working with other persons now and in my aspirations as an accountant and in management portfolio. It presents me with an opportunity to appreciate diversity in decision making and reasoning which is prerequisite in team leadership (‘The Keynote Project’, 2002, p. 1-9).
A major setback in my career aspirations is in lack of prior exposure to accountancy responsibilities. The international accountancy field requires that one have experience and or back up of such professional courses as CMA and CPA (Cave, 1998-2009, para 1-5). The way out I overcoming such drawback is through enrolling for market experience as a graduate trainee, which would help me in polishing my skills in accountancy and improve in my competence in job market.
Action plan
In my pursuit of competence in the field of international business management in accountancy, I intend to take an action plan towards this course. The following professional development goals will form the basis of my action plan concerning being well prepared for the professional assignment being pursued (‘Institute for Archaeologists’, 2009, para 1-4).
Goal 1:
development goal I am currently determined to successfully completing my master’s studies in international business management as a necessity in commanding competence in international job market. Master’s level education is globally appreciated and recognized therefore explaining my desire to pursue the same (WPOE, 2008, p.1-17).
specific actions for the goal I am currently an MSc student in International Business Management at Manchester Metropolitan University (2013/2014) which I look forward to enhancing my skills and competencies as well as marketing me in the international job front.
I also intend to secure internship opportunities in accountancy posts for some professional experience. It is also my intention to take such professional courses as CPA and CMA before I complete my studies for the job market.
Time frame for achievement of the above goal My postgraduate studies runs between the years 2013 and 2014 and thus, I look forward to completing my master’s studies by the end of 2014.
Goal 2:
Goal My interest is becoming competitive in technology as necessary in accountancy after my formal studies in master’s level. This would increase my opportunities in employment globally as the modern day is defined by technological advancement.
specific actions for the goal I intend to undertake studies in Computerized Accounting Programs because this would improve my capacity to utilize computer systems adopted in accountancy field. The modernized practices in accountancy have slowly replaced manual book keeping practices for the computerized systems and this is adopted for efficiency as well as security purposes. I therefore envision that such skills would be necessary to polish other skills that have been learnt elsewhere such as application packages in computers and this would boost my career competences.
Time frame for achievement of the above goal I purpose to enroll for a certificate in Computerized Accounting Programs between December 2013 and December 2014.
Goal 3:
Goal Accountancy involves many persons and so I look forward to boosting interpersonal relations skills. This is however just meant to harness the already acquired skills in interpersonal relations.
specific actions for the goal The specific actions for tjis would be through increased participation in voluntary accountancy, actively participate in group work and organizational assignments, progress my sporting activities as well as be vocal and participate in student leadership.
Time frame for achievement of the above goal I purpose to volunteer for public accountancy within government ministries before I graduate
In order to harness public speaking aspects, I would seek for such forums as parades and religious functions to address peers and public while still in school.
Dissertation and employability
I have had great dreams in working with an international business organization as an accountant and in management. This is a dream that have grown gradually in me since I was young as inspired by my father who works as an international relations manager within a shipping organization. Besides such an inspiration by my father, personal experience in the study of linguistics as well as in pursuing international business management has influenced my choice so much. This is because much of what I have been doing at various work designations have been much in customer relations and language interpretation logistics. The choice to major in accounts has also some influence on my love for arithmetic as well as past exposure in economic accounting. Investing higher in other professional courses is equally my plan in order to effectively and efficiently competes within the international job market. My studies at master’s level on international business management will serve to increase my exposure on management practices at an international front. As part of my experience, I intend to undertake an attachment with an international company through which my skills and knowledge will be boosted.
Moreover, it is a requirement of the school and international curriculum that students undertake a research study/dissertation as part of fulfillment of educational requirement for the master’s level. I therefore intend to undertake a dissertation on international accounting and requirements in order to understand on international frameworks of accounting and management. The skills gained in analyzing and making conclusions from international business management frameworks will work to improve on my capacity to secure an employment position within international organizations. Besides, my dissertation will be instrumental in establishing the most important attributes that employers within the international front seek for. It is my believe that through establishing the existing gaps between research studies done and the current situation in the field of international business management, this study will enlighten me on management practices which will be necessary to improve on my competitiveness in job market. I also feel competitive with the above discussed strengths in my career line. I aspire to work as a fully certified public accountant even at managerial position. This involves managerial roles with the accountant overseeing the working of the junior employees at the lower levels of accountancy.
Bibliography
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