Planning for My Future Career Endeavors

1. Objectives: 

a- Receive all A's in my five current classes
b- Graduate from Baruch in May 2013
c- Obtain a career or get accepted into a legal and compliance training program within a financial firm

2. Personal Strengths and Weaknesses: 

a- Receive all A's in my five current classes:

Strengths: 
1. I was always an individual who was more successful when being very busy, I am able to allocate my time effectively.
2. When I find a topic interesting, I tend to devote more time to it. Which, I find myself currently doing in my International Business classes.
3. I have lengthy breaks in between my Monday and Wednesday classes, which I use my time to complete classwork.

Weaknesses:
1. I am currently taking five classes at Baruch, extra-curricular Italian lessons four hours per week,  interning fourteen hours per week, a  member of Baruch's Wall Street Club, as well as working on Saturdays from 10am - 6pm; which leaves little time to do my school work to the best of my ability.
2. I have the tendency to leave tasks to the last minute, when I feel more pressure to complete something is when I mostly get it done.
3. The work load is some of my classes is more than I expected and will take up more effort and time to complete to receive an "A" for.

b- Graduate from Baruch in May 2013:

Strengths: 
1. I have the motivation and drive to want to finish college as soon as I can.
2. I have my courses planned out and know which classes to take and when to take them (inc. Winter and Summer Session 1).
3. I am able to allocate my time effectively towards school, while remaining busy in other areas of my life.

Weaknesses: 
1. I have to take a winter class, five Spring 2013 classes, and two summer courses in order to graduate.
2. I have extremely little room for failure. If something interferes with one of my classes, which results failure, it will delay my graduation.
3. My father pays my out-of-state tuition and I do not receive any form of financial aid or compensation, which can be very difficult at times when it is time to pay the bill.

3. Obtain a career or get accepted into a legal and compliance training program within a financial firm:

Strengths: 
1. I have partaken in three internships in prestigious organizations, which shows that I am active outside of school.
2. I am a student of Baruchs' Zicklin School of Business, which is very relevant in New York as well as a member of the Wall Street Club.
3. I have recently discovered my interest in legal and compliance which gives me the ability to narrow my focus when applying to jobs/training programs.

Weaknesses:
1. I am a Marketing Major - not a finance major, which may put me at a disadvantage in comparison to other applicants.
2. My first two internships were in the Marketing/Corporate Communications departments, so I do not have as much experience as others applicants do.
3. There is great competition in this field as well as a certification must be obtained in order to work within legal and compliance.

3. Plan of Action:
a- Receive all A's in my five current classes:
1. Devote more time to my studies
2. Use my breaks in between classes to the best of my ability, avoid distractions
3. Complete school work/projects ahead of time so I don't feel as much stress to complete them at the last minute.

b- Graduate from Baruch in May 2013:
1. Go out less and focus more time on my classes and extra curricular activities, I can enjoy time with friends after this hectic year is over.
2. Prepare my class schedule prior to the registration date so I do not lose opportunities in classes that I have to take in order to obtain my degree.
3. If I feel that my work load is too much, then I have to rank my tasks in order of importance (school and interning coming first) and drop an extra-curricular activity.

c- Obtain a career or get accepted into a legal and compliance training program within a financial firm:
1. Improve and edit my resume and cover letter to the best of my ability.
2. If I am unable to do a second term of interning at Merrill Lynch, apply to another financial firm so I can build up my resume as much as possible.
3. Attend as many networking events at Baruch as possible. The greater amount of connections and the more companies see you attending their events, the greater opportunities you will gain.