My Interest In A Bachelor’s Degree In Development And Compliance Consulting
Introduction
I am a senior at Metropolitan State University (MSU) and currently finishing my first bachelor’s degree. But before I tell you how this degree will enhance my value in the workforce, let me first tell you about my background, and with that, a few of the reasons why I am choosing to further my education. With the dream of owning a restaurant one day, I attended the Culinary Institute of America as soon as I graduated from high school. I quickly found a job in an upscale restaurant and worked my way through the various positions, from cooking to managing and everything in-between. Working in restaurants not only allowed me to develop the skill set necessary to run a successful business, but also showed me that the world food of beverage is extremely diverse. Across its two main areas — production & distribution — the food and beverage industry involves science, business, hospitality, and just like other industry, an overwhelming amount ethical and legal requirements. Being employed in this field of work has also showed me that there is a tremendous amount of risk associated with being a proprietor; a level I am no longer comfortable with taking on. Realizing this, I knew that in order to change my position from restaurant owner to consultant I would need to obtain bachelor’s degree at the very least. Knowing what I wanted to accomplish, a friend of mine suggested I stop by the Center of Individualized Learning at MSU and meet with an advisor regarding my academic goals. It has been about three years since first speaking with someone about the Individualized Degree Program (IDP) and I can proudly say that this chapter of my life is soon coming to an end. With a culmination of my previous employment history and academic undertaking, I am choosing to pursue a degree in Operations and Compliance Consulting.
IDP Title
A degree in Operations and Compliance Consulting focuses on increasing an organization’s revenue by maximizing overall efficiency while giving special consideration to ethical and legal obligations. This is achieved by recommending policies, instituting new programs, and creating ethical guidelines. There is also an emphasis on developing and implementing standard operating procedures with respect to statutes and regulations which govern businesses. With this degree I could either work as an independent contractor or with a team in completing a much larger project. Potential employment opportunities include being an auditor, budget analyst, concept developer, human resource manager, compliance officer, or a corporate liaison. Furthermore, companies I could work for include the Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Health, hospitality organizations, bio-tech firms such as Monsanto, or with rapidly growing cannabis enterprises.
Content and Learning Outcomes
The courses included in this major are divided into three major disciplines: business operations, science, and law. Each discipline draws parallels to the many economic sectors associated with the food and beverage industry. In terms of business operations, Organizational Management (MGT 3000) explores the functions and practices which are utilized in becoming an effective leader. Additionally, Principals of Marketing (MKT 3000) and Business-to-Business Marketing (MKT 3610) focus on techniques that make up the cornerstone of securing and growing a customer base, which is something all business need in order to be successful. With the newfound knowledge from these courses, I am able to improve upon the long-term success of any organization by attracting and retaining employees, developing relationships between prospective clients, and fulfilling obligations to stakeholders.
Behavioral sciences such as Psychology I & II (PSY 1001 & PSY 8888) provide a strong sense of how individuals and groups think and act. By understanding human behavior I can communicate with individuals more professionally, plus I can market goods to customers more effectively. Moreover, Cravings and Addictions (PSY 3440) is an essential part of my degree because it allowed me to become familiar with the many nuances linked with addictive substances and their effects on society. And now that I am quite familiar with the social aspects surrounding regulated goods, I can develop and sell them in a safe and responsible way that is least harmful to the public. Classes dealing with natural sciences such as Biology (BIO 1090) and Microbiology (BIO2400) taught me about food safety and sustainability, as well as . Expanding from this knowledge is the classes sense brings me to Agribusiness Operations (UA 3605) reflect topics seen in the cultivation and manufacturing of natural substances like fruits, vegetables and other consumable goods.
Real Estate Practice and Law (FIN 3800), Legal Environment of Business I & II (MGT 2210 & MGT 3220), and Employment & HR Law (MGT 3240) have fostered an understanding and appreciation of the law. Becoming acquainted with ethical responsibilities and completing practical training has enhanced my ability to adapt and grow with changes in the legal environment. With this intellect, I plan on keeping companies out of litigation disputes before they arise, and in the worst case scenario, mitigate damages. These classes have greatly improved my critical thinking and ethical reasoning by requiring me to take in all the necessary information and subsequently formulating an opinion for the necessary course of action. Let’s face it, keeping a business’s reputation sound is gravely important in today’s society; one wrong move can cost a business millions.
Senior Experience
To satisfy the senior experience graduation requirement, I decided to take Concept Development for Restaurants (RST 4500). I chose to take this class not only because of my background in restaurants, but also for the opportunity in applying what I have learned thus far to a real-world scenario. As part of this course, we were required to design a restaurant from the ground up. Several components were involved in the completion of this project, each one touching upon a different subject related to the food and beverage industry. The significant pieces included: performing analysis, extrapolating information, designing commercial kitchens, creating schedule, producing beverage menus, acquiring real estate, and writing accurate profit and loss statements. As a student of this class, I was fortunate in gaining first-hand experience by creating a feasible concept from square one, as well as receiving valuable advice from several leaders
Conclusion
In conclusion, a bachelor’s degree in Development and Compliance Consulting is comprised of various yet interrelated curriculums relevant to the world of food and beverage. Courses included in my degree plan echo the many competencies seen throughout this complex industry. Having a comprehensive knowledge of a wide-spectrum trade is helpful in making businesses run more efficiently while minimizing liability. Upon completing my studies, I plan on either working for the government in compliance enforcement, as an independent contractor, or in the cannabis industry. As an effective consultant, I exhibit a set of skills that are essential in performing high-level tasks. Creative thinking, excellent communication skills, and ethical reasoning are just a few of the traits embodied in this unique major; making me a valuable asset to a myriad of companies.
