DUE: September16th in class

Finance 3060
Fall 2013
Assignment 1: Career Plan
I would like you to research career options either something you plan to do or are thinking
about doing. I think having a career path laid out is important along with Plan B if you want to
change or have to change. You will be evaluated on completeness and profession quality. Here
are some of the questions you should be considering and part of your career plan:
Instructions:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Please type and hand in a hard copy.

Please attach a picture of yourself (helps me learn names).
Please attach current resume.
Please put together a model cover letter to accompany your resume to one of the
potential employers you identified.
5. Upload all of this to your Digital Learning Portfolio.

Career Planning Resources

Occupational Outlook Handbook
http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm

Name: Michael Murray

Nickname: Murray
Hometown: Baton Rouge
Degree Major: Finance
Classification: Senior

Academic Plans and Career Planning:

1. Why are you in this class?
a. I am interested in financial planning as a career, and I need another CMST
elective.
2. What would you like to learn from this class?
a. Get the basics of financial planning for my own use, and see if it is a possibility as
a career.
3. What are your intentions for the remainder of your academic career?
a. Keep my GPA at or above the current level while I prepare for my professional
career.
4. Do you plan to get an advanced degree? From where? In what area?
a. I do not plan on getting an advanced degree unless it is required by my future
employer.
5. Type of jobs for your major. What would you like for your career?
a. Most jobs at an accounting/finance firm, as well as financial analysts in industry. I
want a job that does not require me to move away from Louisiana, and one that
makes me enjoy going to work every day.
6. What is the range of incomes for these jobs? Entry level? Experienced?
a. Entry level would be $50,000-$60,000, and experienced levels +$100,000
7. What is the employment outlook for these jobs? Current unemployment rate?
a. The current outlook for these jobs is very good considering that many people are
concerned with their money after the financial crisis and baby boomers are
growing older. Unemployment rate is not very high, but can fluctuate with the
market.
8. What are the educational requirements?
a. Educational requirements are a bachelors degree in business.
9. Any certifications, designations, or advanced degrees do you need? What are the
requirements to achieve these and the cost?

a. As far as I know, there are not any required certifications for my current position.
There are however, stipends for those who get certifications and they are paid for
by my employer if I go full time.
10.What is the value of having a bachelor or graduate degree?
a. It is very difficult to get a job in the finance or accounting industry without a
bachelor degree because there are so many people that get a bachelor degree.
Graduate degrees improve the possibility for upward movement.
11.Is there a difference in pay for a male vs. female?
a. There is a difference in male vs. female.
Networking and Career Placement:
1. At this point, what clubs and organizations have you joined to help network?
a. I am currently a member of the LSU CIA program which is a huge networking
resource. I am also a member of SFA and the finance academy.
2. Have you registered or used LSUs career services?
a. I have used career service, but never with any success.
3. Have you developed a resume and model cover letter? How often have you revised it?
a. I have developed a resume, but it is slightly outdated. I have not created a cover
letter since high school.
Job Search:
1. What do you want to do after graduation?
a. I would like to live in either Baton Rouge or New Orleans, get great work
experience, and make an above average salary.
2. What are your 5 year and 10 year career plans?
a. In 5 years I would like to have been promoted in the first 5 years and possibly
again in the next 10 years. I want to have a stable job that is very flexible.
3. Who are the primary employers for your desired career?
a. Both financial firms and CPA firms.
4. Pick two (2) potential employers in the field you desire to obtain employment. Write up
a brief overview of the company. Please explain why you thing that would be a good
company for you to begin you career. Use your answer to this question to evaluate the
questions below.
a. Postlethwaite & Netterville P&N is a CPA firm located throughout Louisiana
and headquartered in Baton Rouge. They are in the 100 largest public accounting
firms in the US, and I am currently an intern in their consulting department. This is
a great company with great people, and it would be great to be able to stay there if

I enjoy their business valuation department. Unfortunately they do not pay as well
as other companies I have contacted.
b. Edward Jones Edward Jones is one of the largest investment firms in the United
States, and is frequently on lists of best employers. I know a few people who
currently work there, and they love working for Edward Jones. However, I am not
sure if financial advising is something that I would be good at.
5. What is the cost of living where you are now? What is the cost of living in the area you
would like to live in the future?
a. Currently the cost of living is very low in comparison with other parts of the
country. I would like to stay either here or New Orleans, which has a slightly
higher cost of living, partly because it is cheaper to live.
6. How much with you spend on housing in the desired area you would like to live?
a. It would depend on the income I have, and if I am single. However, I think a
reasonably priced home in a good area of the cities I want to live in would not
exceed $300,000.