PLANNING YOUR CAREER IN BUSINESS
Student
name:
Student
ID:
Section A
Introduction to the Portfolio
The portfolio captures the process of developing professionalism and preparing for a volunteer or work experience position. Personal statements and CVs are some of the most effective tools for demonstrating one’s abilities, achievements, and visions within the context of the planned career path (Teixeira da Silva, et. al., 2020). The personal statement describes the candidate’s personal experience, such as the reasons for pursuing the desired profession and the autobiography, while the CV brings a successive structured summary account of one’s education and previous work experience. Altogether, they prove that I have a sufficient desire for self-education and self-improvement, especially in the working field. Therefore, I need to reflect on the experience as it helps me realize my strengths and weaknesses, thus developing ways of matching my skills with the career path I want to pursue. With the help of this portfolio, I wish to make a strong argument for my application to a relevant organization.
This portfolio offers an overall synthesis of the candidate’s process toward professionalism as well as preparation with typical volunteer or work experience. It comprises the personal statements and CV as the two critical strategic documents documenting skills, accomplishments, and goals for a targeted career field. For instance, the personal statement describes the reasons why the candidate wants to practice the desired profession while the CV provides a systematic chronology of education and working experience (Gottlieb, et. al., 2021). Altogether these elements show a certain awareness towards self-development as well as improvement in the professional field. Furthermore, this portfolio includes the candidate’s Shell Plc analysis – an international energy company that operates according to sustainability and innovational principles. It outlines the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of an individual—a fundamental foundation on which a candidate can formulate a practical approach to improving his abilities. Through the analysis of these experiences, the candidate hopes to ensure that their skills tally with his or her desired career paths, which consequently enhances the overall application for suitable roles within the concerned sector.
Overview of Shell plc
Shell is an international company that has been in operation since 1907 providing energy solutions safely and efficiently as well as adopting new technologies (Sayah, et. al., 2020). Its strategy is clear, namely to provide cleaner energy solutions that will drive development forward, while its vision focuses on the effort to promote sustainable energy. Climate change and renewable energy sources are important issues that Shell as a participant in the energy market actively works on. The progress realized includes; major commitments to solar and wind energy as well as, enhancement of carbon capture and storage technology. Shell’s focus is on innovation and sustainability issues because of their interest in environmental science and renewable energy (Li, et. al., 2022). Shell is structured into several main business areas: Upstream, Downstream, and Integrated Gas. The Upstream segment covers exploration and crude oil and natural gas production, while the Downstream segment covers refining, distribution, and marketing of petroleum products (Ijeomah, 2020). Integrated Gas is composed of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and gas-to-liquids operations, which are focusing on the growing need for cleaner energy resources.
Over the last few years, Shell has made massive strides towards sustainability through commitments to reducing its carbon footprint and investing in renewable sources of energy. The firm has since then invested heavily in renewable energy projects, such as wind power, solar power, and bio-fuels, in a step towards becoming an energy company that reaches net-zero emissions by 2050 (Bartalos, 2023). It is one of the world's largest publicly traded companies since it appears frequently in the Fortune Global 500. Shell generates significant revenues primarily from the sales of oil and gas, hence returning value to shareholders through dividends and buybacks of shares (Kati?i?, 2020). From fluctuating oil prices and geopolitical tensions facing Shell, it managed a remarkably healthy balance sheet. The corporation engages in corporate social responsibility activities by focusing on community engagement, environmental stewardship, and economic development in the communities where it operates. Shell has also been criticized and taken to court on allegations of environmental effects and human rights abuse arising from fossil fuel production, thus there is much debate on the ethical dimension of fossil fuel extraction. A rich and varied portfolio coupled with a commitment to innovation will help adapt Shell to the changing energy landscape, as increasingly clean-energy-focused, with profitability and sustainability under one roof. It is set to emerge as a major player in this global movement toward a new low-carbon future of our world. In the year 2019, Shell plc submitted a report of defence. Shell stated, between all defences, that there is no statutory, legal, or otherwise, that would find that Shell is working in conflict with an unwritten standard of legal by failing to obey emissions caps. Shell also stated that plaintiffs` rights are too general to fail within the possibility. In the year 2020, the parties give their proof for legal and factual justification. In 2021, the Hague District Court ordered Shell to diminish its emissions by 2030 by 45%, relative to the year 2019, across all actions involving both end-use emissions and own emissions. The court states that both directly and via the legal entities and organization it is mainly involved in its consolidated yearly accounts which it combinedly creates the shell group, to cause or limit to be restricted the combined yearly volume of all CO2 emissions into the atmosphere due to the operations of business and product of sold energy-carrying of the shell group to such a limit that this volume will have diminished by 45% at end 2030, compare to the year 2019 level.
Section B
CV
Name: Ahmed Nisar Dob: 02/01/1974 Professional Summary Enthusiastic and skilled worker with more than twenty years of operating experience in the sphere of logistics and management. Job skills: demonstrated team management skills, operational management, and exhibitions of good customer relations. At present, working as a private hire driver with flexibility and good organizational skills evidenced in the job. Work Experience Private Hire Driver Your Current Company Name, United Kingdom 2019 – Present
Timely and securely fulfil the transportation needs of
clients. Pizza delivery man at Domino’s Domino’s, UK 2017 – 2019 Activities
The customer received food at their table with excellent speed
when delivering the food. Artoni, Italy 2005 – 2017
Coordinated the warehouse activities and was responsible for
employees. Corriere, Italy 1998 – 2005
It loaded and managed inventory and coordinated order
fulfilment.
Skills
Significant
theoretical knowledge of time management and organizational
skills |
Personal statement for applying to Volunteering work at Shell PLC
This is to mention my interest in volunteering at SHELL PLC. Being experienced in logistics and management for over twenty years, I will be glad to join the team of interested professionals in bright organizations with key focuses on innovations and sustainability in the energy sector. A highly experienced and motivated office administrator, I am presently looking to resume my career after an extended gap for the growth of my family. I can lead work and meetings with customers for the efficient and smooth working of the organization. After resuming years, I am engaged to resuming my professional career on a full-time basis. When working as a shift manager and serving at Artoni restaurant in Italy, I managed to develop teamwork, management, and operational skills. I coordinated supervision over numerous subordinates, fulfilled various measures of process optimization and oversaw compliance with security measures. These incidents have made me appraise the importance of creating a positive working culture in the workplace. It is also worth mentioning that Shell focuses on the development of sustainable energy and is actively working on the problems of the global energy complex. The chance to be a part of an organization that cares about such issues as ecology is the perfect thing for me. As a professional, I am interested in practices that seek to support innovation for sustainability and eco-efficiency. While changing over to the UK, there are certain hopes that one can develop and learn at Shell. I am to get practical experience in the energy sector and to enhance my knowledge of the industry’s changing environment. I believe that efficiency in planning and execution of tasks, together with the focus on customer orientation will be useful for achieving Shell’s objectives thanking the employer for having read it. I excel in interacting with consumers courteously and politely, demonstrate the capability to stay calm in high-stress conditions, and maintain time perfectly by planning the best route to the destination. I excitedly await I shall be able to serve Shell PLC as one who performs important tasks and adds value to my professional growth by practising in an evolving job market.
Section C
SWOT Analysis
A SWOT analysis is a method utilized to recognize threats, opportunities, weaknesses, and strengths for the organization or a certain project (Puyt, et. al., 2023). It is most widely utilized by businesses from non-profit and small organizations to large businesses but a SWOT analysis can be utilized for personal determinations as well. It is a framework utilized to evaluate an organization`s competitive position and to develop strategic planning. SWOT analysis assesses external and internal factors, as well as future and present potential.
Strengths:
Strong Communication Skills: communication skills are the capabilities that permit an individual to productively share emotions and thoughts and understand others. Individuals with better communication skills express themselves effectively and clearly interpret what others state. In the workplace, productive communication is important. I am very proficient at expressing thought in words, orally and in written form.
Adaptability: I can accommodate myself to new situations and pressures easily. Switching between Italy and the UK has created an understanding of how to change and learn in different contexts, which translated into adaptability.
Critical Thinking: critical thinking is the process of intellectually disciplined skillfully and actively evaluating, synthesizing, analyzing, applying, and conceptualizing information collected from or produced by communication, reasoning, reflection, experience, and observations as a guide to action and belief. Concerning self-appraisal, one of my strongest assets is being able to look at an issue critically and think outside the box to arrive at a substantive solution.
Team Collaboration: collaboration is about bringing individual together from various departments, teams, and locations, then aiming their efforts on a general objective. But it cannot be done unless everyone is on the same stage, skill-wise. Collaboration is known as a process, but cooperating well is a skill that`s honed over time. I do well in coordinating myself with others and I have a passion for goal-directed activities.
Extensive Experience: More than 20 years of work experience in the field of logistics and management can testify to operational and leadership abilities. Such experiences embrace strategies and measures applied for the teams’ effective management and process improvement on the increase of activity rate.
Customer Service Focus: the team of customer service is a connection between the company and consumers. Imposing crucial consumer service can enhance the relationship with consumers and enhance the business. Crucial consumer service is also what keeps the consumer coming back to the organization over time. The jobs I have had, especially as a delivery driver, have provided me with good people skills so that I have high levels of customer satisfaction.
Weaknesses:
Technical Skills: I am especially weak in technical tools and software that are useful in my area of speciality.
Time Management: the good skill of time management enhances productivity and helps an individual to get more done. Problems with time management are the obstacles individuals face when trying to boost their productivity in their personal lives and careers. Many individuals mainly feel as if the period available for some professional and personal tasks is somewhat restricted or that the demands of that period exceed what is accessible. I often find it hard to properly allocate duties across time so I end up cramming a lot.
Networking: It biases me to connect with professionals in my field who are not in my network.
Public Speaking: While I’m good at speaking in small groups, presentations in front of larger audiences cause me stress.
Limited Technical Proficiency: I possess good operative competencies but I am aware of my limitations when it comes to some analytical tools and more to that some technologies prevailing in the field of logistics/energy.
Narrow Industry Exposure: This means that I have relatively limited exposure to the rest of the main operational silos of the organization including marketing, financial, or strategic units.
Opportunities:
Online Courses: Most jobs come with courses to enhance the technical skills and speaking skills of the learners.
Networking Events: Industry conferences and workshops may help me make connections with my colleagues in the same industry.
Mentorship Programs: I still can seek a professional in my area who can guide and help me.
Project Involvement: Cross-department projects can also improve collaboration abilities and develop more efficient professional proficiencies.
Professional Development: It is possible to take extra classes designed for the development of the technical side to expand the competence range.
Networking: Meeting people at such companies as Shell PLC allows us to gain information about different positions and field activities, which will be helpful in general.
Threats:
Rapid Technological Changes: Managing it is becoming difficult, and knowing state-of-the-art advances remains difficult in my area of specialization.
Intense Competition: The market competition is tough, and applicants are highly skilled in technical areas of the job.
Burnout Risk: In as much as we fail to work within the appropriate time budget, time may turn into a curse as it brings stress to the workplace which in one way or the other affects performance.
Limited Opportunities: This means that there are hard economic factors, which when somehow represented, negatively affect job opportunities in my field.
Rapid Industry Evolution: Due to the changing business environment particularly in the two industries there is a need to constantly update oneself.
Increasing Competition: The increase in the demand for human resources with specific skills and specialized knowledge in the energy field results in stiff competition in the market; which calls for constant self-development.
This SWOT analysis reveals the potential and the areas that require my growth and personal development. With the identification of those skills’ shortage areas, I intend to apply enhanced learning and networking experiences to future positions especially those within the dynamic and competitive environment of Shell PLC.
Action plan
An action plan is a step or task list an individual needs to complete to attain the goal. A productive action plan acts like a management plan for the initiatives of the company, highlighting the actions an individual requires to make these objectives a success (Chofreh, et. al., 2020). It is mainly utilized for project initiatives or small tasks. The action plan`s components involve status, resources, deadlines, responsibilities, and tasks. For instance, an action plan for establishing a new item involves product development, market research, and a plan to start the item on the market.
Tasks |
Objective |
Specific |
Measurable |
Achievable |
Relevant |
Time-bound |
Improve Communication and Public Speaking
|
Sign up for online seminars and give at least five speeches in a year.
|
Sign up for online courses and suggest speeches. |
Keep count of speeches made and feedback as well.
|
Set a portion of the monthly schedule to work on the speeches. |
Focusing on my way of speaking will make me more confident in my professional communication.
|
Within 8 months |
Expand Networking Skills
|
Participate in no less than four networking events or workshops within my line of work in the next twelve months. |
Specific events information should be gathered and properly enrolled. |
Record down several events attended and several acquaintances made.
|
Get an attitude of wanting to go to at least one event every quarter.
|
Networking will create brand new career direction and potential contacts.
|
Within 7 months |
Improve Time Management
|
Map out a time management technique to effectively work longer and with less stress. |
Select and use a specific method of time management. |
Weekly assessment of productivity must be done.
|
Spend at least half an hour on Sunday analyzing the week the coming week.
|
Greater organization means that there will be enough time to perform the tasks of a project professionally and not be too tired for work.
|
6 months |
Enhance Technical Skills
|
It is required to successfully pass three online courses that focus on relevant tools (Excel, Python, data visualization tools, etc.) no later than six months. |
Choose three particular online classes.
|
Courses should also be tracked and final projects to ensure that each course is completed. |
Spend 3 hours in a week for reading.
|
The skills that will be learned will apply to my job in a way that can have a direct positive impact.
|
8 months |
References
Bartalos, É., 2023. Corporations’ Adaptation of Green Strategies in the EU: Transformation of Oil and Gas Companies. GAZDASÁG ÉS TÁRSADALOM, 16(2), pp.5-39. https://real.mtak.hu/188452/1/gt_34-16-2-2023_01_Bartalos.pdf
Chofreh, A.G., Goni, F.A., Klemeš, J.J., Malik, M.N. and Khan, H.H., 2020. Development of guidelines for the implementation of sustainable enterprise resource planning systems. Journal of Cleaner Production, 244, p.118655.https://is.muni.cz/do/econ/soubory/oddeleni/svi/katalogy_web/SAGE_research_methods_1.pdf
Gottlieb, M., Promes, S.B. and Coates, W.C., 2021. A guide to creating a high?quality curriculum vitae. AEM Education and Training, 5(4). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8678947/
Ijeomah, S., 2020. Challenges of supply chain management in the oil & gas production in Nigeria (Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria) (Doctoral dissertation, Dublin, National College of Ireland). https://norma.ncirl.ie/4724/1/stephanieijeomah.pdf
Kati?i?, M., 2020. The acquisition of BG Group by Royal Dutch Shell (Doctoral dissertation, University of Zagreb. Faculty of Economics and Business. Department of Organization and Management). https://repozitorij.unizg.hr/islandora/object/efzg:5921/datastream/PDF/download
Li, M., Trencher, G. and Asuka, J., 2022. The clean energy claims of BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil and Shell: A mismatch between discourse, actions and investments. PloS one, 17(2), p. e0263596.https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0263596&trk=article-ssr-frontend-pulse_x-social-details_comments-action_comment-text
Puyt, R.W., Lie, F.B. and Wilderom, C.P., 2023. The origins of SWOT analysis. Long Range Planning, 56(3), p.102304.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0024630123000110
Sayah, K.D.B., Seghier, F.Z.B. and Elhouda, N., 2020. Analysis of the Financial Strategy of SHELL Petroleum Company. Journal of Studies in Economics and Management Volume, 3(06), p.278.https://www.asjp.cerist.dz/en/downArticle/635/3/2/141384
Teixeira da Silva, J.A., Dobránszki, J., Al-Khatib, A. and Tsigaris, P., 2020. Curriculum vitae: challenges and potential solutions. KOME: An International Journal of Pure Communication Inquiry, 8(2), pp.109-127.https://real.mtak.hu/126685/1/KOME_Teixeiraetal.pdf
