To complete this assignment you will be researching careers of interest to you.

If you aren’t yet sure what career you are interested in, please visit the “I’m not really sure” assessment from My Next Move (https://www.mynextmove.org) to help you with this first step. Complete the assessment and choose a career to target.

The next step will be to create a matrix of information that will combine information about your chosen career path with steps you need to take to reach your goal. Information from the above websites will inform how you fill out the matrix.

To do so, please visit

· http://www.mynextmove.org/ This website will help you search by industry. Use the yellow section on the main page.

· http://www.onetonline.org/skills/ You learned about Holland Codes on O*Net in week one. This week, practice using one of O*Net's other search functions based on the SKILLS that you learned in your major.

· http://www.umuc.edu/current-students/career-services/job-and-internship-search/job-search-websites.cfm UMUC has gathered together numerous resources grouped by industry. It has numerous resources that are both general and career specific. The career specific links can also introduce you to internship opportunities.

· You can also visit www.careeronestop.org and https://www.careeronestop.org/toolkit/wages/find-salary.aspx?frd=true for local information.

Information from the above links will inform your answers to the questions in the matrix below.

List one potential career goal or career path based on your degree or current career. Please be specific.

I will become a Music/Entertainment Producer . I will own and run a production company that works with and develops talent in the entertainment industry.

Describe your personal motivation and interest in this career. Consider compensation, flexibility, responsibility, type of work, your history, your interests and skills, and an abbreviated career description as it relates to my goals/wants.

I come from a family full of singers, so it was natural for me to become interested in music. Growing up, I also developed a love for the arts in its other forms. I started acting and participating in stage plays and independent films, recording music in professional studios, and ultimately earning writing and production credits on two different music albums. The technical aspect of the arts is what keeps me interested and wanting to learn as much as I can, in order to grow and maintain my business. But at the same time I know I want to be in business for myself. I want to be my own boss and create my own company.

List the median pay and job growth outlook for each career path. Use the https://www.bls.gov/ website to find this information.

Describe the impact of this information.

Median Pay : $71,620 per year (US Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Job Outlook : $12% (Percentage rate of producer jobs that are growing faster than other jobs, US Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Becoming a Music/Entertainment Producer will grant me the opportunity to work with top-notch talent and discover new talent. Entertainment production jobs are set to grow 12% between 2016-2026. Most of these positions are offered in California or Georgia. However, I would like to take my education and talent across the world. Networking with different crowds of professionals can give me a chance to learn, be it can also be a catalyst for my career as a whole.

What short-term goals/steps that might lead your long-term goal?

· What job titles might you seek upon graduation?

· What a starting salary range might you expect?

· Will you need any special certifications or qualifications at that time, if so what?

· If you need any additional training at entry level what is it, when and where might you get it?

· What career path or job titles might get you to your long-term goal?

· Job titles to seek upon graduation: Producer, Associate Producer, Production Assistant, Audio/Visual Technician. These are natural starting points and will give me the experience I need before I start my own business.

· Starting salary : Producers get to make their own salary, based on the asking price for the job. The average starting salary is $13,000 per year. (https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Music-Producer-Salary). The better I do at this level, creating a good reputation for myself, the more money I can make long-term and in my own business.

· Special Certifications : No special certifications necessary at this time.

· Additional training : I may need additional technical training in arts/music engineering, recording equipment. This may mean another degree.

· Additional job title to see k : Executive Producer, Producer

What are the requirements and jobs skills needed to be successful? What skills do you still need? How could you get them? Consider, but don’t be limited to the following:

· Education

· Communication skills

· Technical / discipline-specific skills

· Personal values

· Cognitive abilities

· Physical abilities

· Social skills

· Creative skills

**Do NOT cut and paste a job description. As part of your research, however, you may use job descriptions to identify skills necessary for success**

Job Requirements

· A Bachelor’s degree . I am seeking a bachelor's degree in business administration so I'll be prepared for the business, management, and financial aspects of owning my own business.

· Musical skills – I need to be able to write, arrange, produce, and record songs for artists

· Communication skills – I need to be able to communicate with peers, talent, and the audience. I need to be able to speak to large groups as well as have excellent writing skills. I need to be able to communicate with business people and industry professionals to promote my clients effectively. I need to be able to communicate need needs of the talent as well as understand the wants of the fans.

· Knowledge of the industry . I need a really good understanding of the industry and genre of music and the target audience so I can apply it to market and publicize my music/shows/clients.

· Technology – I need to be able to use technology that incorporates social media, streaming, augmented reality, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence.

· Critical thinking – I need to critically assess the state of the industry so can I continually reinvented myself and to produce fresh concepts.

· Time management – There are multiple competing demands on a music producer, so time management is a must. I need to be able to manage myself, not be late, manage clients, work with industry leaders, and so forth.

· Sales and social media savvy – Half of music producing is the music, the other half is sales. I need to understand how to make sales, how to use social media, and the regular media to promote my business.

· Physical abilities – I need to be able to move, set up, and break down equipment in the event that we can't afford to pay help. I may need Transportation .

I still need

· Additional education – I need a Bachelor’s Degree in Business with a minor in Communication.

· Sales and negotiation skills . I like to work with people, but I need additional practice with the give and take of negotiation.

· License – I don't yet have a driver's license and I think it would be useful.

What should be in your plan to reach this career goal? Consider the following:

· Current education

· Further education

· Certifications

· Research

· Mentoring

· Volunteering/interning

· Career services

· Social Media Presence

· Work experience

Make your steps toward your goal SPECIFIC. Use the SMART system. Your goals should be:

Specific

Measurable

Attainable

Relevant

Timely

1. Current Education : I have completed my general education requirements, and more than half of the required courses for my major. I will get a BS in Business Administration with a minor in Communication. I expect to graduate in fall of next year.

2. Future Education: A master’s degree in music production or music technology is also another avenue I can explore if I decide in the future that I need additional technical or business skills. I will look into three graduate schools within a year of graduating with my BS. I will apply to a graduate school within the next 3 years after graduating with my BS.

3. Mentor : I should seek a mentor. Being mentored by a current industry professional will give me access to a network of people. I will seek out the UMUC Career Center in the next month and set up at least three appointments with a mentors/colleagues.

4. Volunteer/Intern : I am currently seeking an internship with my local radio station to gain field experience. I plan to have an internship for the next semester. I have talked with Workplace Learning to determine if I can earn credit for this new learning I'll be doing.

5. Volunteer/Intern : Any additional internships would be helpful to explore the administrative, audio, and creative aspects of the field

6. Professional Organizations : I will research professional organizations that best align with my goals. I am considering RIAA, the Recording Industry Association of America and AARC, the Alliance of Artists and Recording Companies. I will determine if one or both of these are appropriate for me by August and then join one of them by Christmas.