Past Present and Future Paper Essay Example for Free

Past constitute and Future Paper EssayThe University of capital of Arizona is Americas largest accredited private University with over 180 campuses in 35 states nationwide. The University of Phoenix offers a host of undergraduate classs for the modeling adult. The program that interests me the most is the Bachelor of Science in Information applied science (BSIT). The BSIT program is focused on the acquisition of theory and technical competencies associated with the information engineering profession. The program is destineup as such where full time professionals contain the opportunity to attend schooldays while tending to the needs of a growing family. By assigning both group and various(prenominal) assignments, the programs focus is to provide a unique learning style that is both academic and practical to genuinely animateness movement experiences. This is a distinctive approach to learning and is a different style from that of a traditional University. I was drawn to the University because of this distinctive approach and it is one of the aspects that intrigued me about the program. I started at the University of Phoenix in January 2004, and have not since regretted a minute of that finale. Becoming a student in the BSIT program has already proven to be an invaluable experience. I have since applied acquired knowledge from the programs course lock to tasks encountered in the job field. My current typeset as a Maintenance Technician in the Semiconductor diligence requires me to troubleshoot hardware and software failures.This assignment is broken up into three parts, first I provide resile upon where I was in my personal and professional life before I started the BSIT program. Next I testament evaluate the harvest-time I have experienced during my University of Phoenix program of study. Lastly I pass on analyze the impact of completing the University of Phoenix Bachelors program and my current and future professional goals I have esta blished for myself.PastIn the past, I was of the opinion that having an education was for about mountain but not for all. Those who made the choice to obtain higher education did so as a personal decision for themselves, more power to thoseindividuals. I knew that the chances to make more money would likely be in my estimation and the probability to advance to a higher position is almost stock warrantd in some parts. These two benefits and more could be obtained by earning a college spot. I have read studies surveying that people who had a college degree are more likely to be happier with their job responsibilities and more committed to their roles as an employee of the social club. The average family income for people who had only a high school diploma was $52k a year verse the family income of people who had a college (bachelors) degree was $96k.The prospect for me to aspire a college education was never a misconception, nor was it a question of the wish of finances avai lable. In fact, I supported my wife as she realize her Bachelors Degree in carapace Management at Arizona State University. She began her studies right out of high school while she unplowed a part time job. It took her approximately six years to complete the program. Me on the other hand, I found a good paying job with excellent benefits, and had been with the same company for six years. My wife and I both graduated from the same high school the same year, but had taken very(prenominal) different paths.When my wife finally graduated, she found that recent college graduates (RCGs) were starting work at very miserable wages. It was apparent that it would take her a decade or more of raises and promotions to catch up to the salary scribble that I was at, having started my career six years earlier. While she was hitting the books, I was hard at work making advancements at my company. At that time I was not in the mode of seeking a higher education for myself. Pursuing and completi ng a degree could have increased my marketability and enhanced the skills I had learned on the job. But, my job was comfortable, the pay was good, the responsibilities were manageable, and as a perk I was having fun operative in that location. There is no question that I had made a mark for myself with only having had a higher(prenominal) School education.PresentFifteen years later, my wife and I are still satisfied with the paths we had chosen for ourselves. I am still at the same company that I started with out of High School, and doing kind of well. My wife has jumped around to a few different companies, but has since found her niche. She has worked at her current company now for 4 years. We have three kids, one weenie dog and a four-bedroom house with a pool. What else potentiometer anyone ask for we are happy.One day at my company, there were talks about the rig shutting down. Wow, Ive heard plenty of rumors that float around the plant, and in mort cases they usually come true. I had been there long enough to decipher which could be fact and which ones are just bogus. In any case this rumor finally died down, and we didnt hear anything more on the subject.While watching the news, we heard a report that my company had plans to shut down several plants on the west coast, one of which was my plant. People within the governance began transferring to different departments and some even jumped ship to the competition down the street. There was a low train panic through out, and people had their own secret agendas lined up to cope with the situation.Given the mint my plan was to go back to school. I choose the University of Phoenix based on some introductory research I had done online. First of all I sought a program that was in the first place geared for the work adult. Secondly I wanted a school that was in full accredited, some how in my mind a degree from an accredited college sounded like it would be a more appealing exchange point to a potent ial employer rather than a degree from a non accredited college. And lastly I wanted a school with locations in multiple places, so I could slide by the program anyplace in the country, you know, just in case.I choose the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology program because I have always had an interest in computers and networking. I knew that the BSIT program would lend itself nicely to the skills I that already posses. I couldnt have chosen a better time to start, because I am at the prime of my life where I am allow foring to discover and I have a can do attitude about learning growing. In the past Ive taken some college courses and failedmiserably, because it was an expectancy of my parents for me to go to college.Now, after completing all of the core competencies in the BSIT program, I feel confident in applying some of the techniques Ive learned to various tasks encountered at work. The formal training that I have acquired has been evident in the knowledge and sel f-assurance that exudes in my day-to-day activities. I reflect on the job struggles I had had in the past and before learning the key objectives taught through the program and now realize the tremendous ripening I have achieved from the schooling. This I can attribute to the individual projects team course work assigned. I have a newfound ability to communicate and speak clearly with a positive emphasis, whether it be a large or small group. The University experience has enhanced my ability to recognize and assume needed leadership roles. Thank you University of Phoenix.FutureI have two more weeks of class to finish, this assignment Im working on now, and a team assignment we still need to collaborate before I can say, I am done with the program. So officially I havent completed my program of study rather yet. However, I can speak on my goals and personal growth plan for the future.When I graduate and at last earn my degree, I will immediately change my resume from scheduled to graduate to earned a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (2006). With my newly formatted resume I will begin applying for jobs in the field of Information Technology (IT).Having a bachelors degree is not a guarantee of success in the job search arena, rather it may get me the interview I capacity not have gotten without the degree. Nonetheless, I will aggressively pursue the IT career of my dreams. The company I work for now is very small, and the chances of me getting into the IT department in this century are very slim. Although my current position has been satisfying and rewarding, I will still look foropportunities that will afford me long-term career growth in my chosen field. I also hope to become associated with an organization that will enable me to fully utilize the skills that I have acquired at University of Phoenix, while developing new ones.It is essential that I continue to emulate the role of a lifelong learner and to keep up those practices. I hope to some day become a mentor for individuals who can benefit from my knowledge and foster those with lesser capabilities. The worldwide course work completed has taught me the immense value of continued professional learning. In the future I can foresee myself earning a Masters degree in another discipline, perhaps a platform more focused in Web Design. A degree in Web design will enhance my understanding of the syntax of HTML programming and strengthen my ability to create award amiable Web pages.Five years from now I hope to have accomplished all of the goals set forth above, and have established a whole new set of goals to strive for going antecedent and beyond. Over all I have found my experience at the University of Phoenix to be rewarding, ambitious and sometimes painful. The BSIT curriculum has made a tremendous impact on my personal and professional life as well as defining future educational endeavors for me to explore.Apollo Group. (2005). Undergraduate Programs, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. Retrieved February 20, 2006, from http//www.phoenix.edu/programs/degree_programs/undergraduate_programs/Default.aspxUniversity of Phoenix. (1998-2006). BSIT v004 Program Handbook. Retrieved February 21, 2006, from https//mycampus.phoenix.edu/secure/Programhandbooks/programhandbook.asp