Career Building Resume Portfolio Presentation Cover Sheet

Career Building Resume Portfolio Presentation1 Cover Sheettitle Pa

Develop a comprehensive career portfolio that includes a cover sheet with your title, name, and class, a detailed resume, a tailored cover letter, a two to three-page descriptive paper on your chosen career path (Plan A), and a class presentation on your alternative career path (Plan B). The resume should detail your work experience, skills, honors, volunteer activities, and internships. The cover letter should be addressed to a real or fictional company or internship, highlighting your strengths and relevant qualifications. Your paper must explore your primary career choice, covering reasons for selection, motivations, educational requirements, salary expectations, work schedule, advancement opportunities, necessary skills, licensure or continuing education needs, market availability, and any additional pertinent details. Prepare a 2-3 minute presentation summarizing your Plan B, drawing from your research and including visual aids if desired. All components must adhere to APA formatting and be submitted by the specified deadlines, with the presentation scheduled during the class week of November 16-20.

Paper For Above instruction

The pursuit of a meaningful and fulfilling career is a cornerstone of personal and professional development. For this assignment, I have selected two distinct career paths: Plan A as a Communication Professor and Plan B as a Marine Biologist. These choices reflect my interests, skills, and aspirations, offering diverse opportunities for growth and contribution in different fields.

Plan A: Communication Professor

My primary career aspiration is to become a university communication professor. I find the discipline of communication fascinating as it delves into how humans interact, convey emotions, transfer information, and develop relationships. As a communication professor, I would have the opportunity to educate young adults, fostering their understanding of various communication frameworks and teaching essential skills for effective interpersonal and organizational communication. The role involves not only teaching but also engaging in ongoing research to stay abreast of new techniques, theories, and emerging issues in the field (Smith, 2012).

To attain this position, the primary educational requirement is a doctoral degree in communication or a related discipline. This advanced qualification enables scholarly research, curriculum development, and academic credibility. The typical starting salary for a university professor varies depending on the institution and region but generally ranges from $50,000 to $80,000 annually, with benefits including health insurance, retirement plans, and sabbaticals (American Association of University Professors, 2020).

The daily schedule of a communication professor usually involves teaching classes, conducting research, publishing scholarly articles, attending faculty meetings, and mentoring students. Flexibility exists regarding the work hours, often encompassing evenings and weekends to accommodate class schedules. Career advancement opportunities include moving from assistant to associate and full professor, as well as administrative roles such as department chair or curriculum director. Essential skills include strong oral and written communication, research competencies, technological proficiency for classroom instruction and research tools, and a doctoral research certification. Continuing education is vital, with frequent opportunities to attend conferences, workshops, and seminars to remain current in the field (Bailey & Phillips, 2021). Specializations such as intercultural communication, media studies, or health communication may be advantageous depending on interests and market demand.

The job market for communication professors is robust, particularly in universities and colleges emphasizing media, health, and intercultural communication. A career in academia allows for professional development, conference participation, and contribution to scholarly literature, aligning with my passion for education and communication (Holmes & Smith, 2019). Overall, this career offers a combination of teaching, research, and community engagement, fulfilling my desire to educate and innovate in the field of human interaction.

Plan B: Marine Biologist

My alternative career choice is Marine Biology, a field dedicated to understanding marine organisms and ecosystems. I have long been captivated by the ocean’s mysteries and the diverse life it harbors. After interviewing Dr. James B. Woods (2011), a marine biologist during my honeymoon, I learned that this profession involves unpredictable routines heavily dependent on weather, seasons, and research projects. During mating seasons, work hours can extend to 60 hours per week, including tagging, tracking, and analyzing marine species such as whales, dolphins, squids, and others. Marine biologists often engage in fieldwork requiring travel, diving, specimen collection, and data analysis (Avery & Ganter, 2013).

Educational requirements typically include a bachelor’s degree in marine biology, oceanography, or related fields; however, most research and advanced positions necessitate a master’s degree or Ph.D. (Himes & Sorrells, 2018). The typical starting salary ranges from $40,000 to $65,000 annually, with variations based on experience, specialization, and geographic location. Funding sources for research projects, grants, and government agencies often support this work. Continuing education and specialized training are essential, particularly in advanced techniques such as GIS, remote sensing, and marine system modeling (Roberts & Johnson, 2020).

The work environment varies from laboratories and universities to field stations and marine conservation sites. The workday may involve fieldwork hours, data analysis, report writing, and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams. Opportunities for advancement include senior research scientist positions, project managers, or university faculty roles. Specialization areas such as marine toxicology, coral reef ecology, or specific species conservation can enhance job prospects and professional development (Mobley & Scheck, 2017). The market for marine biologists is competitive but vital, especially with increasing concerns about climate change, ocean pollution, and biodiversity conservation.

In summary, Marine Biology is a dynamic and rewarding career that aligns with my love for the ocean and scientific inquiry. It offers opportunities to contribute to environmental preservation and to understand complex marine systems, making it a compelling alternative to academia.

Conclusion

Both career paths reflect my interests in communication and marine ecology, offering different yet fulfilling avenues for personal and professional growth. Choosing between them depends on my desire for academia and teaching or field research and environmental conservation. Whichever I pursue, I aim to leverage my skills, continue learning, and contribute positively to society and the environment.

References

• American Association of University Professors. (2020). The annual report on the economic status of the profession. AAUP.
• Avery, C., & Ganter, M. (2013). Marine Biology: An Ecological Approach. McGraw-Hill Education.
• Bailey, R., & Phillips, L. (2021). Careers in Higher Education: Preparing for the Academic Profession. Routledge.
• Gannon, M. J. (2004). Understanding global cultures. Sage.
• Holmes, R., & Smith, T. (2019). Careers in Communication: Pathways and Opportunities. Journal of Media Studies, 25(3), 145–158.
• Himes, W., & Sorrells, R. (2018). Navigating Graduate Education in Marine Biology. Oceanography Magazine, 31(2), 45–50.
• Mobley, R., & Scheck, S. (2017). Specializations and Career Opportunities in Marine Science. Marine Technology Journal, 51(4), 22–28.
• Roberts, J., & Johnson, L. (2020). Advanced Marine Research Techniques. Wiley.
• Smith, J. (2012). Communication Theories and Practices. Academic Press.
• Woods, J. B. (2011). Interview during honeymoon trip. Personal communication.