Financial Statement Analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Financial Statement Analysis - Research Paper Example It provides awareness to the investors in that guide them in making important investment decisions. The analysis of the firm will reveal its financial background, operating efficiency, liquidity position, and profitability, going concern, and capital structure and gearing position. Industry analysis facilitates the understanding of the operating environment, identification of external threats and opportunities for investment, analysis of trends within the industry and the general performance of the industry. The Yum! Brands Inc. is a fast food restaurant incorporated in 1927. The company establishes, operates, franchises and licenses a global system of restaurants, which make, pack and sell a menu of priced food commodities. The company has three powerful brands, TACO Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut, which has continuously sustained its profitability over the years. Over the years, the company has reported increase in turnover, profits and returns to shareholders. The earnings per share of the company has an upwards trend for the past eight years with the exception of 2013 when the earnings dropped significantly (Morningstar Inc., 2014). The company’s growth is driven by its powerful brands, superior marketing strategies, breakthrough innovations and competing values, and venturing into new markets (Yum! Brands Inc., 2014). The restaurant business in the U.S is highly competitive with major multinational companies such as Yum! Brands, Starbucks, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Chipotle. Personal income, demographics and consumer tastes and preferences drive demand in this industry. Individual entities in the industry have varied profitability levels. Whereas the quick-service restaurants rely on high-volume turnover and efficient operations, the full-service restaurants rely on effective marketing and high-margin items. This industry is experiencing an upward growth trend in sales, profitability and shareholders returns over the years

The Quest for Becoming a Star Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Quest for Becoming a Star - Essay Example We go out and it is a rat race, people briskly walking without saying hi to those they meet and they are not even looking at each other’s faces, somehow, we all have set our eyes on that bright star that we seem to see nothing else. We consider Mark Zuckerberg (Rusli) exceedingly brilliant and we want to be like him. We adore Steve Jobs and so we give our children all the latest gadgets we can afford hoping they will someday find out what made Gates extremely wealthy. We look with enthusiasm to Oprah Winfrey (Colander) like she is our very selves, knowing her well from head to toe and fighting with her critiques like they have hit us on the head. Who would not want to be like them? All that is said about them are complements and if there would be derogatory comments that slip one’s mouth or be published on print or the internet, they do not have the need to talk for themselves because they have unsolicited help that will surely be available for their rescue. That must b e a wonderful life. And so we go on with gusto, working hard for every penny we could save, putting ourselves in the best school hoping that is where we will find our gold. Whatever, it takes, we have to find our fuels that would propel us to the top, that which would bring us to our brightest star where along with it we could shine and gain the praises of men. But was it not one of them who said, â€Å"When you get to the top, there is nothing there†? Boris Becker, was at the very top of his tennis career when he considered all his achievements and fame are worth nothing because somehow he found out that his life as a star is not all exciting when you are living it (bible.org). Similar stories abound, yet we have the hope that we would be different. We argue that we know better, that we would know how to manage a star-like life therefore we still continue our journey and find out for ourselves what could be found there. In the end we will find out we are all the same. Rich o r poor, male or female, educated or uneducated, intelligent or dumb, we all are on a level that make us notice our neighbors again, smile and say hi to those we meet and perhaps try to walk against the mob and wake them in their dreamy quest. Should we get an ugly dog, bathe it, apply perfume on it and dress it up, would it become a better dog? We buy one that is worth much more expensive than the latest ipad and treat it more than we treat people. We consider it our best friend for we argue that they can save our lives, look after our security needs but we know that that is sad because humans need humans for their best friends and dogs need dogs for their company. What if Zuckerberg lived centuries ago, would he still been known as Mark Zuckerberg? What if we stripped off Steve Jobs of his wit and education, would he still be human? What if Oprah Winfrey was not famous and rich? Surely, she would still be Oprah Winfrey, a human being, capable of and in need of love, care, friendshi p, company and all that make us human. Oh sure, I am sounding so idealistic and so this is what is proposed. In a world where you use the computer to get in touch with other people through the internet or simply to search for information and, through the process you find a statement blinking at you that you have to prove you are human and not a computer by following some steps it requires, things are just absurd. But absurdity

The Effects of Rap Musice Have on American Culture Essay Example for Free

The Effects of Rap Musice Have on American Culture Essay Rap music has sexual content imbedded in the lyric that teach our youth undignified messages. When youths are listening to the music, they are being introduced to sex, drugs and alcohol. In most cases rap music is the blame for the many problems that occur in households. Especially with teenagers who are exposed to television inside of their homes. They tend to watch music videos that have a lot of sexual content that is being shown for the teens to watch. The youth of America can be easily influence by the activities that rappers are seen doing in music videos. They then rein act the things they see that are lorified by the rappers. This may cause problems later on in life. â€Å"Many experts have agreed that raps greatest effects are on children where its influence can be particularly strong n. d. www. newsnet. byu. edu/story†. Teens often listen to rap music as a way out when they are going through personal issues at times. This is especially true for teens that are from broken homes. These teens â€Å"live what they learn and learn what they live†, n. d. www. newsnet. byu. edu/story. Teenagers also look up to rappers as role models but I feel that there is too much exposure to lead and suggestive material being shown. Rappers tend to wear a lot of high fashion trends and jewelry in the music videos. This is a really big influence that may cause teenagers to steal things that they really want but cannot afford. It is also a heavy emphasis that influences and makes our society into a materialistic and superficial one. Though stealing can be very tempting at times when you see popular celebrities and rappers wearing trendy clothing and shoes, stealing can affect the entire rest of your life if you get caught. It’s also hard for those aren’t as fortunate to buy nice things. Music encourages rage and anger towards each other that will cause senseless behavior. Rappers have a way of expressing to their fans that it is okay to call women sexually explicit names like† hoe†,† bitch†, â€Å"slut†, â€Å"tramp†, â€Å"whore†, etc. I believe that this is one of the biggest influences on young men. They grow up to think that it is okay or cool to be disrespectful towards women. This is not okay and it is not cool to put down women. Rap music forces young women to have low self-esteem physically and mentally. Along with low self-esteem, rappers have caused young women to feel a lack of self-resect and self-worth. This situation is a very hard one. I have witnessed seeing women trying their hardest to meet everyone’s expectations. It is very hard trying to feeling pretty and trying to look flawless and perfect like video vixens that you see wearing hardly any clothing and showing a lot of skin in magazines and videos. There are more women making a lot of changes with their bodies through plastic surgery so they can land a job in the music industry. In this case I feel that they are disrespecting themselves by allowing these music videos to influence them and their body image. Women don’t see how it is affecting them the lyrics in rap music are derogatory. I don’t understand why some women want to participate in the videos when the music has insulting remarks toward them. Ice-T is an American rap artist that has a past with hardcore explicit lyrics. He is most known for the controversial song â€Å"Cop Killer† that debuted in 1990. The â€Å"Cop Killer† song has been involved in at least two shooting incidents and has inflamed racial tensions in cities across the country. This song was to inform cops that they are most hated and should stay away from their neighborhoods. This song later sparked citizens into a rage that broke out in a riot in South Central Los Angeles. There were assaults toward incident individuals which. 53 people died and thousands were wounded, there where looters and arson’s that also transpired. â€Å"Music has the power both to â€Å"soothe the savage beast† and to stir violent emotions in man. Ferrell; Jeff (1993) http://www. axt. org. uk/HateMusic/Rappin. htm â€Å"African Americans is one of the biggest cultures that have a really big effect more than any other culture in America. This has affected the African American culture and the culture of American society in many ways and transmits the wrong message to the youths of America. Rap music has caused a lot of situations to occur and it has made the crime rate go up. In conclusion rap music has affected American culture in so many ways. In most cases rap music has promoted negative habits. Toward young individuals and young adults whether for the good or bad, rap music has affected American culture literally. Hip hop music is just something that people will always hero-worship. We just have to understand that we cannot change the fact that youths are going to listening to the rebellious messages and the derogatory lyrics that are put out.

The Advantages Of Internet Censorship Media Essay

The Advantages Of Internet Censorship Media Essay Nowadays, the internet has been gaining its popularity at an amazing rate. The internet has become an important communicative tool, which brings significant convenience and efficiency for people. However, the internet also has severe weakness. Although the internet is comprehensive and the internet is not easy to limit, many countries are working on the censorship of the Internet. The issue of internet censorship is a complex and controversial one. As a matter of fact, the censorship of the internet is a double-edged sword. The censorship can work in some instances, but in others it can be detrimental to society. This essay will first explain the advantages of internet censorship. Then the essay will explain the harm of internet censorship to the society. The internet censorship can be a protection measure. As the internet is open and comprehensive, the quality and authenticity of internet information is questionable. There are a lot of undue materials online, such as pornography and violence, which undoubtedly exerts a negative influence on people especially children physically and psychologically. Although there are several laws which regulate the illegal information and illegal activities, the laws are not complete enough to regulate all the illegal or immoral activities. It is very hard to charge a person for internet crimes, especially if the person is from a foreign website. Thus, the illegal activities and undue information are still rampant on the internet. Thus, internet censorship is needed for internet regulation. The censorship of internet can cleanse the internet information and protect people to some extent. The censorship of internet can filter the inappropriate information online and protect children from disturbing websites, such as, child pornography, sexual violence and detailed instructions in crime or drug use. The undue internet information may weaken childrens moral consciousness and pollute childrens soul. Thus, the undue websites can have a severely bad effect on the healthy growth of children or even cause adolescent crime. However, children are easy to contact undue internet information. Since parents can not monitor the web pages that children browse in any time and at any place, the censorship of internet can help the parents to filter undue websites for children and protect them from the misguidance and negative influence of internet. An opinion survey carried out by a professor in Charles Sturt University found that parents were worried about the pornographic content on the internet. In order to protect children from the negative influence of extreme, violent and pornogr aphic information, 93% parents support the mandatory internet filtering. The censorship of internet can help women. In order to get more click rate and benefits, many adult websites advocate violent sexual abuse of women. Many women suffer from the hell made by the internet because the internet makes them sold into slavery through the international sex trade (Mallisk, D., 2009). The censorship of internet can block access to these websites, regulate or even shut down some of these websites, and thus reduce the sexual exploitation of women in the internet. Thus, the censorship of internet can protect women to some degree. The censorship of internet can guard people from the disturbing email spam. For many net citizens, junk email is a troublesome problem. Some junk emails may have malware, and the malware will be activated when net citizens open the email. Some junk emails may be phishing schemes that attempt to steal net citizens identity and threatens the economic safety and privacy. Some junk emails may be fraudulent schemes or offensive material. Besides, there are a lot of annoying unsolicited advertisements (Mallisk, D., 2009). Spam filters can block junk emails for net citizens and make their internet life more safe and simple. The censorship of internet can protect the life privacy of people. The inappropriate information has threatened the life privacy of Australian people. As the incident that Google Street View cars collected personal data by WiFi systems illegally was complained, the Australian Federal Police has involved in investigation. Australian Communications Minister Stephen Conroy accused Google of doing it deliberately and said the move was the single greatest breach in the history of privacy (Shears, R., 2010). Besides, there are some net citizens or websites that make a mala fide use of internet to diffuse others privacy, like others private video, private pictures and so on. The censorship of internet can prevent these duly. Thus, sometimes, in order to protect the privacy of people, the censorship of internet is necessary. The censorship of internet can protect peoples economic interest. Some internet information can threaten peoples economic interest. Internet banking frauds happens frequently. The censorship of internet can filter a great deal of fraudulent information in the internet and enhance the supervision and control of internet banking. Due to internet censorship, a great number of financial frauds, phishing, identity thefts, credits card thefts and many other illegal activities are prevented (Manohar, U., n.d). Therefore, the economic loss of internet users are reduced or avoided. The censorship of internet can decrease internet violence and protect peoples personal security. In Australia or even the whole world, internet bullying and violence has become a serous issue. There are many suicide cases caused by internet bullying. The internet users are anonymous and the information spread fast on the internet. Some users take advantages of internet to carry on internet violence. The users may slander, abuse others and expose others privacy, which will bring about great harm to the victims. Many stars are the victim of internet violence, which can even cause the outcome of suicide. Some websites make use of internet illegally, which will give rise to baneful influence and threaten peoples life security. Internet murders happen. Through social networking sites, internet users deceive and murder other users. There are some suicide websites that abet suicide, communicate suicide knowledge and provide suicide methods. The occurrence of all these incidents and similar incidents make the internet censorship necessary. Internet censorship can prevent unjustified defamation, limit internet violence and protect peoples life security. The censorship of internet can help to protect social stability and national safety. Since the internet censorship can help to curb the large number of illegal activities and internet crimes, it is good to the stability of society. Some illegal organizations or people may release black information which will disturb the national economy and polity. The terrorists and extremists may release false information to distort facts, confuse the public peoples mind and create fear and panic thorough internet. These kinds of information will sabotage the national safety and must be deleted or filtered to avoid the misunderstanding of the public. The protection is not only about the physical preservation of the people, and foremost, it is a force and guidance in the morals and values of the nation as a whole (Coleman, B., 2010). There are many inappropriate and immoral content and information on the internet which will have a severe negative influence on the moral and value shape of the public. The censorship of internet can help filter the undue information which may corrupt the moral standard and soul of the public. Thus the censorship of internet can protect to maintain the mainstream morals and values of the nation and help the public to form healthy and reasonable internet using consciousness. The censorship of internet attaches importance to the whole rather than individual. That is why China that believes in communism can implement stringent internet censorship. The disadvantages of internet censorship The most important point against the censorship of internet is that it is against the freedom of speech and it violates human rights. The internet is an important communicative tool, which provides a platform of people from all around the world to make free speech. It should be a place where people can express their views and position regardless of societys acceptance. However, the censorship of internet censor, filter and even delete some peoples free speech. This measure hinders the free spread of information. Peoples rights of free speech, rights of communication and right to know are violated. This breaches the spirit of democracy. This measure is detrimental to websites which express particular thoughts and view. It is an obstacle to the development of internet. People may be worried about that the government will abuse the right of censorship and violates the democracy of the society. The censorship is controlled by the government. The government may abuse the right of censorship to exclude the speeches and information opposed to the authority. The government may manipulate the rights of censorship to hide information which is disadvantageous to its policies. The government that has rights of internet censorship may silence anyone who doubt about the government. The political party in party may manipulate the rights of censorship to limit the power of political opponents. The publics right to know is deprived of and the public are controlled by the government. Consequently, without the supervision of public, the democracy of the nation is damage greatly, which will give rise to serious negative influence to the whole nation. Some undue websites, such as pornographic websites, no one wants that to be available. However, the real issues limit ed by the censorship of internet go far beyond the regime. In China, although many pornographic websites and forum are banned and blocked, the government, in fact, focus on the censorship of political website. The censor to the sensitive words such as Taiwan, religion, Tibet and human rights are very strict. Besides, some disputed information, such as euthanasia and homosexuals will be block. The public can not get enough information to these disputed issues. Thus, prejudices and intolerance emerges, which will bring unfairness to the society. The censorship can also have negative effect on the judicature of the society. In China, some people are accused of agitating people to topple government and arrested because they publish and spread articles and information to oppose and criticize government. However, the conviction criterion of this accusation is very vague. The judicial interpretation is not adequate. The government has to much space to determine this issue. Thus, many scholars and lawyers submit a joint letter to limit or abolish this accusation. Besides, many scholars and lawyers ask for the judicial interpretation of this accusation. The internet censorship may challenge the authority of judicature and cause the damage to the authority of laws. The censorship of internet will bring about great economic cost. First, the expanse on the work of filter can be very expensive (Nicholson, J. D., 2008). Further, a broad scale filter proposed by the Government may also drive up related costs, such as data center staff needed to deal with an increase in customer complaints when they can not access sites(Riley, D., 2009). Second, the Internet filter could ruin National Broadband Network (NBN) speeds. A test paper released by the Australian Communications and Media Authority showed that a proper implement of a censorship regime would likely, at best cause a 20% drop in internet speeds or even more higher speed drop (Riley, D., 2009). As the internet speeds are slowed down, that means longer time will be spent on doing business and the productivity will fall (Riley, D., 2009). It will make a big difference to business when a filtering slowdown, like downloading files. If clicking on something, it will waste lots of time to wait it open. Therefore, the Internet filter affects the efficiency of business and may bring about loss or waste of money. In addition, if there is Internet traffic, lots of filtering units and some mechanism are needed for changing the busy to small parts. These will cost lots of money. The whole efficiency of business is slowed down and this will cause great economic cost. The censorship of internet limits the development of on-line service trade. The internet is a global market. As the development of internet, electronic commerce based on the internet replaces the management frame of standard commerce in a great measure. Moreover, the electronic commerce has mostly covered other forms of transnational trade. As the development of internet market, it makes great contributions to the whole economy. The trade supervision problems of internet market are emphasized, which include trade restriction, undermining trade environment and electronic commerce investment, information service and internet transmission. One of these measures is to prevent the access to the website. The censorship of internet implemented by different nations is always against the rules of WTO. These nations always force some preponderant websites to conform to the censorship of these nations. As a result, the internet trade is influenced seriously. To the on-line trade, the internet c ensorship is a kind of non-tariff barrier. The censorship of internet will have a negative effect on the work, study and communication of net citizens. The filtering of key words influences the research of scholars, teachers and students. The Internet filter is software which controls access to online content. These methods are more commonly referred to as a black list or white list. The filter prevents inappropriate content with white list, black list or keyword system. As its name implies, a black list blocks all websites or material restricted by an authority. The reverse, a white list, bars access to all Internet content except items approved by the filter. Keyword system checks keywords entered, limiting some sensitive words, such as sex. By this way, many useful information and normal key words may be filtered. Because of the internet censorship, people can not express themselves freely and get much information as they want. The creativity of people is discouraged, which is bad for the political, technological can cultu ral innovation of the whole society. Conclusion In conclusion, the censorship of internet is a double-edged sword. The censorship can work in some instances, but in others it can be detrimental to society. The censorship of internet can reduce the illegal activities on the internet. It provides physical protection for net citizens. The censorship of internet can protect children from undue information. It can also help women. It can also protect the economic interest, life security, social stability and national safety. Besides, it protects people to sustain the moral safety of people and help people to form healthy internet using consciousness. However, the censorship of internet also has its detriment. It violates peoples rights of free speech and may sabotage democracy. It can bring about great economic costs and prevent the development of international on-line trade. Meanwhile, it limits people to get enough information to fulfill research and study, and thus the creativity of people may be discouraged. There is no absolute fr eedom in the world, thus the internet can be an absolute free place. Although the internet censorship has its disadvantages, the negative effects of internet censorship can not be overdrawn. However, the transparency of internet censorship must be enhanced. The internet censorship without supervision is dangerous.

Wealth and How Money Influences Peoples Lives Essay -- Wealth Money F

Wealth and How Money Influences People's Lives Some people generate an adequate living working for others, some do quite well, while many people don’t do well. It is estimated that less than 16% of Canadians have more than $100,000 in their retirement funds while 38% have less than $10,000. Using money to make money is more likely to generate success. Using assets to generate wealth is likely to generate financial success. This is the principle in whihc my group is is based upon. Kiyosaki explains money does not calm your fears when desire forces you to spend. You have to avoid the trap. Rich people often have a fear of losing it all. A job is a short term solution to a long term problem. You must master the power of money. When the donkey drags the cart with the carrot on a stick in front of him, the driver is getting where he wants. For the donkey it’s an illusion. What intensifies fear and desire is ignorance. To spend your life in fear and never exploring your dreams is cruel. Just as in my business of MJM Productions. Instead of looking at how much certain ventures will cost, we must look at the posibilities which will occur as a result of that venture. Money does not calm your fears when desire forces you to spend. You have to avoid the trap. Rich people often have a fear of losing it all. A job is a short term solution to a long term problem. You must master the power of money. When the donkey drags the cart with the carrot on a stick in front of him, the driver is getting where he wants. For the donkey it’s an illusion. What intensifies fear and desire is ignorance. To spend your life in fear and never exploring your dreams is cruel. Just as in my business of MJM Productions. Instead of looking at how much certain ventures will cost, we must look at the posibilities which will occur as a result of that venture. Therefore it is essential that the accumulation of money does not blind me and my cohorts from our prime objective of empowering ourselves. Choose your thoughts. Think long-term and ask yourself: "Is this the best possible solution to my problem?" There is an old expression that "I am too busy working to make money." When you are too busy, you miss many opportunities. You often go into a restaurant and see a lot of things done wrong. Why can’t the manager see these things? Because he is too busy working IN the business ... ...before you pay any other bills. Then you will be motivated to find the money to pay all the other bills. Look after number one. Choose friends carefully. The power of association. Learn from all of them, whether they have money or not. When I seek out people who have money, I am not after their money but their ideas. Don’t listen to poor or frightened people. Wise investors buy an investment when it’s not popular. They know their profits are made when they buy, not when they sell. You become what you study. So, if you are tired of what you are doing and not making enough money, change the formula. This was a key factor in creating a sucessful business. Only by having co-workers which are dependable will ones business flourish. Be an "Indian Giver". Put your money into an investment and when it goes up, take your money back out and do the same again. If you buy some stocks and they go up in price, sell enough to get your original investment back and repeat the process. Assets buy luxuries. When the asset is generating surplus cash flow, then you use that surplus to buy the luxuries. Or in terms of this project, 50% goin towards a college education instead of luxuries.

All The King’s Men :: essays research papers

The title of the book is All The King’s Men and the Publication date for this book is 1996. The author Robert Penn Warren was a very famous author. His life was full of many achievements that helped him become recognized. He even won the Pulitzer Prize for this book All The King’s Men. Warren was inspired to write this book because when he was younger he lived in the state of Louisiana and around this time Huey P. Long was already an established politician. Warren started out writing poetry but then turned to writing novels. His works are loved and cherished by many and even used in today’s schools. It is safe to say that Robert Penn Warren was one of America’s most brilliant writers. This book takes place in the southern part of the United States in the 1930s. Although Warren never reveals the true setting of this book, one can conclude that this took place in Louisiana seeing how Warren became inspired in that state by a person who is mirrored in this very book. Part of this novel is in Mason City. Another place in this novel is Burden’s Landing Jack , the main character, goes there many times because this is his hometown. This novel is mainly about the rise and fall of the political figure Willie Stark told through the eyes of his business associate and friend Jack Burden. Willie stark in his early political career is all for helping the people and trying to do what is best for them. As he gains power and the trust of his people he soon becomes corrupt by the evils of success. Characters Jack Burden- He is the narrator of this story and he is the companion of Willie Stark. He works at a newspaper company before getting a job from Willie after they become acquainted . Readers will learn his story while they are learning about the life of Willie. Willie Stark-He becomes a treasurer of Mason City and from there his political career takes flight. After becoming a treasurer Stark decides to study law and become a lawyer. After he receives some success he runs for governor and becomes a power-hungry politician. Sadie Burke-She was an employee and mistress of Willie Stark. She has a crude behavior and has an outspoken personality. Later she becomes very intolerant in all the women Stark is with. Two reoccurring motifs and symbols are The Great Sleep and the Hospital.

Goals Paper Essay

My second long-term goal is an academic goal. My academic goal is to graduate from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. This academic goal of mine is very important to me because I want to be a teacher. I have always wanted to become a teacher since I was a young girl but I foolishly did not pursue my dream. I am now at a point in my life where I recognize that tomorrow is not promised. Therefore, I have decided to pursue my dream of becoming a teacher and will not allow myself to steer off that path. My third long-term goal is career orientated. This long-term career goal is to simply become an effective elementary teacher. By becoming an effective elementary teacher, I will be able to make a positive difference in the lives of my students. I know firsthand the importance of an effective teacher because I experienced what one was like. That person was my fifth grade teacher and she made such a positive difference in my life at that time. I want to be able to do the same and so that is why becoming an effective elementary teacher is my long-term career goal. Now that I have identified my three long-term goals I will now discuss how I will accomplish these goals. In order for me to achieve my personal long-term goal of becoming a homeowner, I have set a short-term and an intermediate goal. My short-term goal which will help lead me to becoming a homeowner is finding a job, because I am currently unemployed. The only income I have at this time is from my husband’s full-time job. His income alone cannot qualify us for a mortgage loan. Therefore, I intend to consistently look for employment on a weekly basis. Although this short-term goal may seem to be an easy one, it is not. The reason it is not is due to the fact that there are a lot of people currently unemployed whom are looking for work themselves. This has a negative effect on me because it makes my chances of finding a job much harder. However, I am determined to find a job no matter how many applications it may take. I will make sure that I attach a resume and will make follow-up calls to each of the employers that I have submitted an employment application to. I will also keep a positive attitude on my pursuit for employment so that nothing sabotages my short-term goal. With that said, having a job is not the only thing that is necessary for me to achieve my long-term personal goal. I will also need to have some money saved to put down towards the purchase price of a home. Therefore, I have set an intermediate goal to have saved at least two percent of $195,000 dollars within the next two and a half years by putting $130 dollars per month into a savings account. I am confident that I can achieve my personal long-term goal as long as I adhere to the short-term and intermediate goals that I have indicated above. As for my long-term academic goal to achieve a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, I have set a short-term and an intermediate goal that will assist me in obtaining it. My short-term goal consists of two parts. The first part is to take a minimum of four courses, per semester, that are required for the type of degree I am seeking. The second part is to maintain a grade point average of 3. 0 or higher. In order for me to meet these short-term goals I will make sure that I follow the education catalog which outlines all the courses I need to complete and I will make sure that I consistently keep up with all assignments. I will also keep myself organized and maintain a positive attitude in every course that I take. My intermediate goal is to earn my associates degree at Valencia by the year 2012. I know that I can accomplish this intermediate goal as long as I adhere to my short-term goal stated above. Now this may sound like an easy thing to do but in reality there are always challenges that can arise and put a damper on things. One of the challenges that I face in meeting my short-term goal is procrastination. I tend to procrastinate when it comes to studying and completing assignments that I find to be challenging. This course has already taught me the importance to stop procrastinating and to study. I plan to utilize the information from our course to stop the cycle of procrastination and to study in an effective manner. I also intend to consistently reaffirm my long-term academic goal so that it will motivate me to keep in line with my short-term and intermediate goals. Lastly for my long-term career goal, which is to be an effective elementary teacher, I have set a short-term and an intermediate goal. My short-term goal is to get hired as an elementary teacher shortly after obtaining my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. In order for that to happen, I will submit employment applications at several elementary schools for a teacher position. I will also make sure that I provide a resume along with my portfolio to all of the schools that I have submitted an employment application to. My intermediate goal that I have set which will assist me in becoming an effective elementary teacher consists of developing professionally on a personal level and on a career level. Once I am employed as an elementary teacher, I plan to attend workshops that will improve my skills as a teacher so that I can apply such skills in the classroom. In time I know that I can be an effective elementary teacher because I have a passion to teach and love being around children. In summary, I have a long-term personal goal to own a home, a long-term academic goal to earn a bachelor’s degree, and a long-term career goal to become an effective elementary teacher. All three of my long-term goals are very important to me and in essence builds and/or relies on the other. In order for me to accomplish my three long-term goals, I have set S-M-A-R-T short-term and intermediate goals for each. I also believe that I will be able to achieve all three long-term goals because of Valencia. One of the reasons why Valencia will assist me in reaching my goals is simply due to the fact that this community college is very affordable. Also, this community college has many wonderful professors that are dedicated in guiding students successfully on their career paths. Valencia Community College also has many resources available to me that will assist me in obtaining my associate’s degree and will prepare me with the skills needed to be a successful student at UCF.