For this Touchstone, you will be writing a 2-3 page success narrative consisting of three components. Specifically, you will write at the following:
1. Who I Am Now: Create a brief biographical statement describing your academic and professional history, as well as any relevant personal characteristics you’d like to share.
2. My Goals: Identify three (3) professional and/or academic long-term goals for your future.
3. How I Will Get There: Based on the professional or academic goals you created, identify at least two (2) short-term steps for each of these goals, and set target dates for each of these short-term steps. Make sure that in your plan to achieve these goals, you account for obstacles that may present themselves along the way.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Success Narrative
1. Who I Am Now:
I am a dedicated individual with a strong academic background in Business Administration and several years of experience in the marketing field. With a Bachelor’s degree in Business, I have honed my skills in strategic planning, market analysis, and project management. My professional journey has equipped me with the ability to work collaboratively in fast-paced environments and deliver innovative solutions to drive business growth. Additionally, my proactive nature and strong communication skills have enabled me to build meaningful relationships with colleagues and clients alike.
2. My Goals:
Professional Long-Term Goals:
1. To attain a leadership role in marketing: I aspire to lead a marketing team within the next five years, overseeing strategic campaigns, fostering creativity, and driving impactful initiatives that align with organizational objectives.
2. To pursue an MBA degree: I aim to further enhance my business acumen and leadership skills by pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree within the next three years.
3. To establish a consultancy firm: In the long term, I envision establishing my own marketing consultancy firm that offers strategic guidance and innovative solutions to businesses seeking to enhance their market presence and brand visibility.
3. How I Will Get There:
Goal 1: Attain a Leadership Role in Marketing
Short-Term Steps:
– Step 1: Enroll in a leadership development program within the next six months to enhance my leadership skills and strategic thinking.
– Target Date: December 2022
– Obstacle: Balancing work commitments with program requirements; solution: time management and prioritization.
– Step 2: Take on additional project management responsibilities at work to demonstrate leadership potential and initiative.
– Target Date: Ongoing
– Obstacle: Resistance from colleagues or superiors; solution: effective communication and showcasing results.
Goal 2: Pursue an MBA Degree
Short-Term Steps:
– Step 1: Research MBA programs and identify suitable options that align with my career goals and schedule.
– Target Date: March 2023
– Obstacle: Financial constraints; solution: explore scholarship opportunities and financial aid options.
– Step 2: Prepare for GMAT exam by enrolling in a test preparation course and dedicating regular study time.
– Target Date: September 2023
– Obstacle: Balancing work and study commitments; solution: create a study schedule and seek support from peers for accountability.
Goal 3: Establish a Consultancy Firm
Short-Term Steps:
– Step 1: Develop a business plan outlining the consultancy’s services, target market, and revenue model.
– Target Date: June 2024
– Obstacle: Lack of industry contacts; solution: network with professionals in the field and attend industry events.
– Step 2: Gain experience by offering pro bono consultancy services to local businesses or startups to build a portfolio.
– Target Date: Ongoing
– Obstacle: Time constraints; solution: allocate dedicated time slots for consultancy projects and prioritize tasks efficiently.
By setting clear professional goals and outlining actionable short-term steps with target dates, I am committed to realizing my aspirations while proactively addressing potential obstacles along the way. Through continuous learning, perseverance, and strategic planning, I am confident in my ability to achieve success and make a lasting impact in the field of marketing and business consultancy.
