1. CAREERS 1
Career Goals
April D. Metcalf
Bryant & Stratton College
SOSC102JJ2
Principles of Sociology
Ms. Tracy Sedor
February 7, 2013

2. CAREER 2
Career Goals
The sky is the limit as far as my career goes. I plan on continuing my education beyond
earning my degree as a Medical Administrative Assistant and climbing as far up the
administrative ladder that I can possibly climb in the health care field. I want to work at a
hospital, a private medical practice or a major medical center and I plan on taking full advantage
of all continuing education available to further advance me in my career. This includes earning a
bachelor’s degree or higher. All of which together will influence my future career as a medical
administrative assistant.
Although I am early on in my classes with Bryant & Stratton College, I have already
learned several things that will help me to become successful in my career field. I have learned
the importance of having good communication skills and literacy success, how to avoid
plagiarism and correctly write Microsoft Word Documents in APA format with citations, how to
conduct proper research for reliable information whether it is in a library or online and my
knowledge and pronunciation of medical terminology, which is growing stronger every day.
I consider my outgoing personality to be one of my strong suits and I find that to be very
valuable in pursuing any career. I also have previous experience in this field. I worked as a part-
time receptionist at a skilled nursing facility, while I earned my Cosmetology degree. The
Bureau of Labor Statistics states that administrative assistants perform routine clerical and
organizational tasks. They organize files, draft messages, schedule appointments, and support
other staff, all of which I performed during this time of employment (Bureau of Labor Statistics
[BLS], 2012-13, ¶ 1). The Bureau of Labor Statistics also states that administrative assistants use
computer software to create spreadsheets, compose messages, manage databases, and produce
presentations, reports, and documents, all of which I am now learning to do efficiently

3. CAREER 3
throughout earning my degree(BLS, 2012-13, ¶ 3). I consider myself to be fairly advanced
already in medical terminology, as it also states that will be required of me in this field (BLS,
2012-13, ¶ 6). I am dedicated to helping others in any way I can and take great pride in doing so.
I am also learning a great deal in my sociology class. I am beginning to understand why
and how so many different personalities and behaviors are formed among individuals and how
they all affect our society. Sociology has given me a macro view thus far, on my way of
thinking about society and all of us that form it. All of which will be very important for my
career because I will be coming in constant contact with all kinds of different classed people. As
I will be required to make sure physicians see the right patients at the right times, ensure patients
remember their appointments, ensure insurance forms are filled out correctly. In reading my
textbook, I would believe myself to be a functionalist because of my beliefs in accordance with
what it says in chapter one. It says functionalists suggest society works as an interrelated system.
Communitarians understand that if a society is to run smoothly, the government, the local
community, and the business sector must all work together for the well-being of all (Think
Sociology [TS], 2011. p 24). Regardless of an individual’s class, religion, culture, or race, I
believe that all are to be treated equal. I also believe that this ties into the interpersonal and
intrapersonal communication with others and how I, myself, think of and view or judge others,
will ultimately have an effect on how I interact and communicate with them face to face.
Whether a person realizes it or not, the way they think of others reflects in the way they act
toward them. All of which will play a major role in my being successful in the future where my
career is concerned and I find to be very important in the career that I have chosen because I will
be communicating with all kinds of people in the community.

4. CAREER 4
The main thing that helped me with this assignment was all of the reviewing and studying
of all of my courses since becoming a student with Bryant & Stratton College. I am anxious and
looking forward to pursuing my career as a medical administrative assistant and I have high
hopes of truly making a difference in my community.

5. CAREER 5
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-
13 Edition. Secretaries and Administrative Assistants.
Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/secretaries-
and-administrative-assistants.htm
Medical Assistants.net. (n.d.). Medical Administrative Assistant. Retrieved from
http://www.medicalassistants.net/medical-administrative-assistant
Carl, John D. Think Sociology: Functionalism. (2011) Rose State College.