Life-cycles...

In class we learned about Industry Life-cycles. The traditional life-cycle move from left to right. It begin in fragmentation, then move toward shakeout. Most of the time is spent in mature and the end is in decline. When I decided to return to BYU for my MBA there were many reasons. Among them was a desire to change industries. Mentally I outlined my own path but it wasn't until this assignment I realized that my career goals seem to go in reverse. I started my career after my undergrad in the commercial automotive industry for Meritor, a company that builds truck axles. The industry is somewhere between mature and declining. The only growth is really driven by population growth. My next move is into the semiconductor industry with Intel. The industry is for Intel is mostly mature. I plan to be with them for the next 20 or so years; essentially my career. Intel will provide the security and opportunities me and my family will need. However, that is not the end. My hope is that after those twenty years, with less financial responsibility for my children, I will be able to work for either a tech start-up or do something on my own. I've always loved trying new things and I've always wanted to own a restaurant. It's a dream that my family can participate in. The risks are high but the reward is much greater than financial.

As you can see my personal career aspirations seem to move in the reverse order than the natural industry and that's fine because it's my journey and my adventure. The picture is of a budding plant. A symbol of spring, of life, and of beginning. The picture symbolizes both my location in my career and my desired destination. Ever growing and trying new things.