FINAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PLAN ESSAY

Your Leadership Development Plan (LDP) Essay is due in Week Six. You completed a brainstorming exercise called an Odyssey Map earlier in the session and submitted a substantive draft of your LDP for peer review in Week Five.

The Final Essay is worth 100 points.

The LDP is asimple plan with 5 categoriesof questions designed to stimulate you to think about your highest aspirations, the goals you want to achieve, and the paths you want to take to realize your dreams and contribute to our world. Be specific and goal-oriented in addressing these questions.

5 Areas to Address in Your LDP:

1. Values and Strengths: What are your key strengths and values? How do these align with your major and professional goals? How do you want to further develop these strengths and live these values through college and your career?
2. Learning Goals: Review your degree audit and the requirements for your degree. Do you have any questions about what you need to do to graduate? What are your learning goals while you are at BPU? What will you do to achieve these goals? What academic challenges are you concerned about and what steps can you take to support your development in these areas? Are there any gaps in your skills that you'll want to address for the future? What kind of graduate training and or certifications are you also considering pursuing as part of your goals?
3. Career Development: What did you learn about your career interests and aptitudes from your Odyssey plan, your SDS Career Assessment, and the Predictive Index Analysis? What additional information would be helpful to you and how can you get it? What specific career resources will be helpful to you as you prepare for your future career? Are there people who would be helpful to meet? Organizations to join? Events you could attend? What specific goals can you set now to help you achieve your career goals?
4. Work, School, Life Integration: What interests do you want to cultivate in your life outside of school and work? How can you engage in your BP Community and your home community, in order to promote a sense of belonging and support? How can you get to know your faculty, peers, and advisors? What strategies can you use to healthily manage the integration of your work, school and personal priorities?
5. Leadership Development: What is your personal definition of leadership? How do you want to grow as a leader? What are some specific ways to achieve this goal? Describe at least three things that you learned about leadership in WEL220 that will help you become a better leader.

Review and incorporate these resources into your Leadership Development Plan:

• Leadership Autobiography
• Odyssey Map
• Reflections and discussions from this class
• SDS, Predictive Index, and Emotional Intelligence Assessments
• "About Me" Essay
• Bay Path Degree Audit
• Sullivan Center for Career and Life Planning (SCLP) Website
• Other support resources (E.g. Tutor.com, Hatch Library, Academic Support Services, etc.)

Your completed essay should be 5-6 pages, 12-font, double spaced, with proper APA citations, and a strong introduction and conclusion. Include supporting evidence from at least four course readings to support your arguments.

Essays to quote:

1. Odyssey plan: Step 1: Use the Life Design Worksheet Identify three career options: 1. Current Trajectory: Data Analyst in Health Care Studying Cybersecurity: Information Assurance 2. Logical Alternative: Security Compliance Analyst for Health Care Providers 3. Outside the Box: Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for a Nonprofit Health Organization Step 2: Research Each Career Option Option 1: Data Analyst in Health Care studying Cybersecurity: Information Assurance Salary Range: $60,000-$90,000 per year. Graduate Degree: A Master's in Cybersecurity or a related field may be beneficial. Employment Outlook: Strong Demand for Skilled Data Analysts with Cybersecurity Expertise Skills Development: Enhance knowledge of penetration testing and risk assessment. Internship/Certification: Obtain Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) status. Professional Associations: Join ISACA and HIMSS (Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society). Typical Working Day: Analyzing health data for vulnerabilities and recommending security measures Option 3: Security Compliance Analyst for Health Care Providers Salary Range: $70,000-$100,000 per year. Graduate Degree: A Master's in Health Informatics or Cybersecurity could be advantageous. Employment Outlook: Growing Need for Professionals Ensuring Health Data Compliance Skills Development: Gain expertise in HIPAA and healthcare regulations. Internship/Certification: Complete Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) certification Professional Associations: Join ISACA and AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association). Typical Working Day: Evaluating health systems' compliance with data protection laws Option 4: Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for a Nonprofit Health Organization Salary Range: $120,000-$180,000 per year. Graduate Degree: A Master's in Cybersecurity or Business Administration could be valuable. Employment Outlook: CISO roles are essential for safeguarding sensitive health data. Skills Development: Develop leadership, strategic planning, and communication skills. Internship/Certification: Obtain Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification. Professional Associations: Join ISACA and ISSA (Information Systems Security Association). Typical Working Day: Overseeing organization-wide cybersecurity initiatives Step 5: Rank Each path. Option 1: Resources: high; Likability: medium; Confidence: high. Option 2: Resources: medium; likability: high; confidence: medium. Option 3: Resources: low, likability: high, confidence: low. Step 6: Set SMART Career Goals Option 1: Attend a local ISACA chapter meeting to connect with professionals and gain insights by [February 2024]. Option 2: Complete an online HIPAA compliance course and earn a certificate by [January 2024]. Option 3: Schedule informational interviews with two CISOs in nonprofit health organizations by [January 2024]. Questions this plan addresses: 1. How can I create a journey that maximizes my available resources? 2. How can I boost my confidence to achieve my career goals? 3. How can I ensure that I genuinely enjoy every step of my path? 4. How can I maintain coherence and consistency in my endeavors? 5. How can I accentuate my unique strengths and talents in this plan?
2. All About Me: All About Me As a 23-year-old Latina woman working as a data analyst in the healthcare industry, my life has been shaped by various milestones, turning points, and achievements. In this paper, I will take stock of these significant moments, articulate my decision to pursue further education, and share my dreams and aspirations for accomplishing my degree. Additionally, I will highlight my strengths, positive attributes, working styles, and key personality traits that have contributed to my success in the IT field. Furthermore, I will identify potential challenges and outline strategic approaches to address them. Finally, I will review the course learning objectives and explain why this class is essential in my pursuit of personal and professional growth. Major Points of Pride, Milestones, Turning Points, and Achievements: Throughout my life, I have experienced various points of pride and milestones that have shaped my journey. Graduating at 17 instilled the importance of an education, I come from a family where schooling was not prioritized, while becoming a working and providing member of your family was. Yet I continued to pursue my education and graduated. For the next five years I worked until I could fully commit myself to being a full-time student while maintaining a full-time job. My determined attitude played a pivotal role in me persevering in one of the toughest and most trying times of my life. Throughout my time at Bay Path, I have been able to maintain both my career and part time job while simultaneously going to school full-time with a GPA above a 3.o. Another turning point was securing my position as a data analyst at a community healthcare facility, where I have been able to challenge my skills and contribute to the improvement of patient care and operational efficiency. Being apart of a fully Male staff comes with its pros and cons, as my assertiveness has been a hurdle on its own as my position was created to improve the efficiency of the group. As a Latina woman in a male-dominated field, I take immense pride in breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes. My ability to excel in the IT industry has been a source of empowerment and inspiration for other aspiring Latinx professionals. Reasons for Pursuing Higher Education and Aspirations: Despite my achievements in the workforce, I have decided to return to school to further my education for several reasons. First and foremost, I believe that continuous learning is essential for personal and professional growth. Pursuing a degree will allow me to gain in-depth knowledge and expertise in my field, enabling me to make more significant contributions and take on leadership roles. With my degree, I dream of becoming a data scientist or a senior analyst in the healthcare domain. I aspire to leverage data-driven insights to address critical healthcare challenges and enhance patient outcomes. Moreover, I envision myself mentoring and encouraging more young Latina women to pursue careers in STEM, thus diversifying the IT industry. Strengths, Positive Attributes, Preferred Working Styles, and Key Personality Traits: As a data analyst, I have identified several strengths and positive attributes that have contributed to my success. I possess strong analytical skills, enabling me to interpret complex data sets and extract meaningful insights. Additionally, I am detail-oriented, ensuring accuracy in my work and decision-making. My preferred working style revolves around collaboration and teamwork. I thrive in environments where diverse perspectives are valued, and colleagues work collectively towards shared goals. Moreover, I am a proactive problem-solver, constantly seeking innovative solutions to challenges that arise in my projects. Key personality traits that define me include perseverance, adaptability, and cultural awareness. I embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and continuously seek ways to improve my skills. Being culturally aware allows me to foster meaningful connections with colleagues and patients from different backgrounds, contributing to a more inclusive work environment. Anticipated Challenges and Strategic Responses: Returning to school while balancing work and personal commitments may present challenges. To address this, I plan to create a well-structured study schedule, allocating specific time for coursework, work responsibilities, and personal life. Seeking support from my employer and family will also play a vital role in ensuring a smooth transition. As a Latina woman in a predominantly male field, I might encounter stereotypes and biases. To strategically respond, I will focus on showcasing my capabilities and expertise through my work, proving that gender and ethnicity do not define competence. Review of Course Learning Objectives and Desired Outcomes: The course learning objectives align perfectly with my goals as a data analyst in the healthcare sector. I hope to gain a deeper understanding of advanced data analysis techniques and tools, as well as learn how to apply them to real-world healthcare scenarios. Furthermore, I aim to enhance my communication skills, as effective data storytelling is crucial for driving informed decision-making in healthcare organizations. This course will provide me with the opportunity to collaborate with peers from diverse backgrounds, enriching my perspective and fostering teamwork abilities. Additionally, I anticipate learning about the ethical implications of data analysis in healthcare, which is essential for ensuring data privacy and maintaining patient trust. Conclusion: In conclusion, my journey as a 23-year-old Latina data analyst in IT has been characterized by achievements, milestones, and a determination to overcome challenges. Coming back to school represents a significant turning point, as I seek to advance my skills, broaden my horizons, and realize my dreams of becoming a data scientist in the healthcare sector. My strengths, positive attributes, and working styles have been instrumental in my success thus far, and I am confident that they will continue to propel me forward. As I embark on this new educational endeavor, I am excited to embrace the learning objectives of this course and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of data analytics in healthcare, fostering positive change for patients and the community at large.
3. Work-life balance is a term that refers to the ability to balance one's personal and professional responsibilities and goals. It is often seen as a desirable and achievable state of well-being, especially for women who face multiple demands and expectations from society, family, and themselves. However, work-life balance is also a complex and contested concept that depends on various factors, such as individual preferences, values, circumstances, and definitions of success. Therefore, I believe that work-life balance is not a fixed or universal concept, but rather a dynamic and subjective one that can vary from person to person and from time to time. One of the challenges of achieving work-life balance is that there are many myths and misconceptions about what it means and how to attain it. For example, some people may believe that work-life balance means having equal time and energy for work and life, or that work-life balance is only possible for certain people or professions. However, these beliefs are not necessarily true or helpful, as they can create unrealistic expectations and pressure for oneself and others. As Bennett (2013) points out, happiness is not a destination or a formula, but rather a process and a choice. Similarly, work-life balance is not a fixed or predetermined state, but rather a dynamic and personal one that can change according to one's needs and goals.Another challenge of achieving work-life balance is that there are many external and internal factors that can affect it, such as work demands, family obligations, personal interests, health issues, social norms, and self-esteem. For example, some women may face the dilemma of whether to pursue their career aspirations or their family responsibilities, or whether they can have both. As Friedman (2012) discusses, this question is not easy to answer, as it involves many trade-offs and compromises. Moreover, some women may feel guilty or inadequate for choosing one over the other, or for not meeting the standards of success imposed by society or themselves.Therefore, work-life balance is not only a matter of managing one's time and resources, but also of managing one's emotions and expectations. One of the strategies for achieving work-life balance is to adopt a more flexible and positive mindset that can help one cope with the challenges and opportunities of work and life. For example, one can use the Centered Leadership model proposed by Barsh and Cranston (2009) in their book "How Remarkable Women Lead". This model consists of five dimensions: meaning, framing, connecting, engaging, and energizing. Meaning refers to finding one's purpose and passion in work and life. Framing refers to reframing one's perspective and attitude towards challenges and opportunities. Connecting refers to building relationships and networks that can support one's growth and well-being. Engaging refers to taking action and risks that can lead to learning and innovation. Energizing refers to renewing one's energy and resilience through self-care and balance.I think that the Centered Leadership model can help in achieving work-life balance in some ways. For example, it can help one to clarify one's values and goals in work and life, and to align them with one's actions and decisions. It can also help one to cope with stress and uncertainty by adopting a more optimistic and proactive approach. It can also help one to create a more supportive and diverse environment that can foster collaboration and creativity. However, I also think that the Centered Leadership model is not a panacea or a guarantee for work-life balance. It still requires one to make trade-offs and sacrifices at times, and to face the realities and constraints of work and life. It also requires one to be aware of one's own limitations and needs, and to seek help when necessary.As someone who works full-time as a data analyst at a community health center and part-time as a manager at Journeys while going to school full-time, I can relate to the struggle of finding work-life balance. I also have other responsibilities and interests, such as being married and owning two dogs. I feel that I do struggle with work-life balance due to being scared of getting behind on bills and my lack of self-preservation. However, I also feel that work-life balance is achievable for me in the long run. I believe that once I finish my degree and get a better job, I will have more free time and resources to focus on my family and myself. Therefore, I am willing to sacrifice some aspects of my life now in order to achieve my long-term goals.

Readings to quote: (4 must be used)

• https://hbr.org/2007/09/women-and-the-labyrinth-of-leadership
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0L5Hz5_QSO8 https://www.ted.com/talks/halla_tomasdottir_it_s_time_for_women_to_run_for_office/transcript?referrer=playlist-ted_talks_by_strong_women_lead
• McKinsey & Company. (n.d.). How the LGBTQ+ community fares in the workplace. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/how-the-lgbtq-plus-community-fares-in-the-workplaceLinks to an external site.
• https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_we_should_all_be_feminists
• https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/girlseducationLinks to an external site.
• Barsh, J., & Cranston, S. (2009). How remarkable women lead: The breakthrough model for work and life. Crown Business.
• Bennett, S. (2013, March 21). 7 myths about happiness we need to stop believing. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/how-happiness/201303/7-myths-about-happiness-we-need-stop-believing
• Friedman, A. (2012, June 21). Can modern women have it all? Salon. https://www.salon.com/2012/06/21/can_modern_women_have_it_all/
• Muse, T. (2016, October 17). 5 lies you believe about work-life balance that simply aren't true. The Muse. https://www.themuse.com/advice/5-lies-you-believe-about-worklife-balance-that-simply-arent-true