Professional Skills - Assignment Example

?My Professional Development Plan I have always believed I am a lifelong learner. I constantly seek new information and better ways to get things done. I am very open to a variety of stimuli most especially coming from people and tasks. Wright (2007) claims that being knowledgeable entails having the ability to sense patterns in things and situations, reflect on information and decisions, develop new knowledge, improve oneself and extend support to others by sharing knowledge. Knowledge is something I have always wanted to have. That is why this exercise in creating my PDP has been very beneficial for my own self-knowledge. Currently, I have dreams of becoming an exceptional worker in a career that involves computers, due to the demands of businesses going global. I can apply my skills in the computer not only in my home country in the KSA but anywhere in the world. My past history in computing has been from an early age along with my academic career that was related to computing. From the young age of 14, I was already working with computers in Saudi Arabia. That went on for about two years. I did gain much experience in this field and this motivated me to choose the computing field to be my future career. This is when I decided to go to the UK to pursue my studies in computers. It was difficult adjusting to life in a foreign land and I had to overcome a few hurdles. However being a hardworking person helped me to maintain my targets. Within a short time period I developed and gained many skills and abilities as I am a fast learner and attentive to details. I made sure that I always read and develop new vocabularies and learning new concepts of computing. I did International Foundation year at Bradford University and I learned many things that created for me a strong foundation towards my progression towards a computing career. I learned the fundamentals that are necessary for a computing degree and I believe that I have the necessary tools that will enable me to be creative and effective towards my computing degree. I already obtained my results for term 1. I am currently waiting for my term 2 results that will be issued very shortly. International Foundation year has solidified me more and gave me a direct path to degree study at university and ensured that I gain the skills and knowledge to succeed in a computing degree. It helped me gain scientific knowledge and understanding to a level where I will be suitable for a computing career. My main target in life is to be useful person able to help, share and be creative therefore, I choose computing as my main career. My main aim is to establish my degree in computing degree and after that stage, i am willing to continue and pursue a Masters’ degree and consequently, a PHD at a later stage in future.   SWOT Analysis I have been thrown in various situations and in each one, I learn more about myself and about others. These situations make me reflect on what I have learned from them. According to Osterman (1990), “reflection is the essential part of the learning process because it results in making sense of or extracting meaning from the experience”. One should not just go through life as if everything comes as second nature. We need to think critically if what we are doing is truly meaningful and relevant or if we are just wasting our time on something insignificant. I have also used a SWOT analysis of my strengths and weaknesses in my current situation and what opportunities and threats are around me. Strengths: My self-analysis process revealed that I am the ultimate “people-person”. I attract people to approach me without any reservations. I have a strong belief in my own skills and have the ability to inspire others to do well for themselves, with me setting a good example. I am an enabler, sincerely encouraging people to bring out the best in themselves, cheering them on along the way to their success. I am known to be generous, giving whatever time and energy I can without expecting something in return. In terms of work, I am very capable and skilled, with the knack for organisation and getting things done. I show attention to detail and subtleties. Because I am efficient, I have become good at getting others to do things too and this is essential in reaching common goals. I am an ideal team player, showing full cooperation with others within the existing circumstances to realize our goals. I work best with a group and seek a stable, harmonious work environment with minimal conflict. I am most comfortable in a tight-knit group with members consistently agreeing with each other. This is something that motivates me to work better. In terms of work skills, I have exhibit passion for computers and design. I am creative and am continuously thinking of new and unusual ideas. I am a very eager learner, am innovative and persistent. My positive work attitude displays my dedication to hard work. I am able to multi-task. My friends are amazed with my courage to try new things and go on new adventures. I am very proud of my adequate training, experience and knowledge from studies that I am able to display these strengths. Weaknesses: Being too eager to please and being too agreeable, I may get hung up in the interpersonal issues of others. Also, there is a great possibility for my kindness to be taken advantage of, as I do tend to be too nurturing to a fault, that I end up doing the work that others can’t or won’t do for themselves. The possibility of letting colleagues off the hook and taking the burden or blame for whatever inefficiency is so great that I risk being perceived as not being tough enough to say no. Rather than confronting issues, I may just decide to take it upon myself and actually allowing personal or organizational innovation to wither. Thus, I may lose credibility in others’ eyes. Also, due to my heightened desire for harmony and avoidance of conflict, I usually put up with mediocrity in others just because I do not want to confront them to shape up. Thus searching for new solutions to problems does not become a priority. Others may see through me, knowing just how I detest conflict, that they may ignore my input and expect that I just take it. My tendency to adopt a low profile instead of having open confrontations with aggressive individuals puts me to a disadvantage most of the time. Knowing this, I need to learn to be more assertive of myself, my rights, my ideas and my inputs in the organisation. Weaknesses in terms of work and study skills include my impatience in engaging in the process and seeing the product right away. I know being a web designer takes time and the creative process is important but my impulsivity and excitability of trying out new things even if I have not yet mastered a previous skill may be a potential cause of failure on my part. Opportunities: My credentials are likely to grow from my experiences, and should allow others to see where my contribution lies. When I am able to contribute, I derive great personal fulfillment. For now, I should take advantage of opportunities that allow me to use my skills. I can volunteer work for people in need of computing skills and designs since I am aware that experience and contacts are gained from volunteer work. Since technology is changing at a very fast rate, there is a boom of software for web designing and digital media available. The demand for computing skills make it possible for fresh courses on computer education to be abundant. There are also online courses, in case I am unable to personally attend classes. Threats: I am aware that the interest in web designing and digital media may be widespread, so competition may be stiff. Also, the fast pace of technological advancement may render mastered skills useless after a short period of time, that is why it is important to continuously update myself of the trends. Looking at this SWOT analysis further deepens my belief that the courses I am taking and yet to take in the university will equip me with the skills necessary for me to be an efficient and successful IT professional. Not only will I learn skills, but I will also be updated in the trends that come and go so I will always be in the loop. Technology changes and develops so rapidly that being updated is a vital skill so I will be competitive enough to survive in the career I choose to take part of. In the future, I will be searching for work that suits my strengths and skills. I dream of a job that allows me to express my creative ideas and find purpose and use in them. I desire a work environment that promotes diversity and harmony at the same time so that I will enjoy working with good and talented people. Being so, I know I will be a successful professional knowing I have all the support I need. Action Plan Timeline Goals Action Now until next year Short term: To be able to learn more about my interest in computers To be able to help others in need of computing jobs Study harder for the courses I am taking at university Read up on current trends in computing Surf the internet for new developments and software I can use. Offer my services to people who need help in web design, troubleshooting in their computing work, etc. Within the next 3 years until graduation Medium Term: Attend workshops or take short online classes on computing and It Finish my computing course Be employed in a part-time job, preferably related to computing and look around for a full-time job when I graduate. Solidify my intentions to pursue higher degrees Check out the site: http://www.bcot.ac.uk/everyone/ courses/results.asp?cat and see the online courses available for computing and IT. Study well and comply with all my requirements Vigilantly seek jobs in the classified ads in newspapers or job offers in the internet Keep reading up on computing careers and further studies Meet people who have been successful in the computing field so my intention to pursue a higher degree will be encouraged further. Within the next 5-10 years Long Term: Secure a well-paying job in the computing field Be an expert in the field by completing Masters’ and PhD degrees Have my own computing business Work better so I can climb up the ladder of success in my computing career Enroll in post-graduate courses Conduct speaking engagements on computing Establish a network to build a computing business. Conclusion Being in the early years of my university student life, I know I have much to learn before I can claim to be an expert in the field I choose. I am fortunate to have the opportunities afforded to me so I can be knowledgeable about the things needed to be a successful IT professional. My skills in computing may be impressive for my age and experience but I am aware that these are not enough to live by professionally. My greatest assets are my eagerness to learn and passion to pursue my dreams. These are the things that keep me motivated despite the challenges I encounter as a student. These are also the qualities that will engage me in more learning as I study for my courses, do research, attend seminars and workshops and use the internet as a resource to further my learning. I am now aware of my strengths and weaknesses as well as the opportunities and threats that I can face as a student of computing and IT. What I need to do is to create a healthy balance so that I can maximize the opportunities and optimize my potentials. Since Computing and IT is a field that grows rapidly, I need to be vigilant of changes and development so I am kept updated and ahead of my colleagues in the field. I know that it is a very competitive career so I need to be dynamic and innovative. After completing my studies in the UK, I intend to go back to KSA to serve my country as an IT professional. My country is adapting to modern changes and is becoming updated with the IT world that is why I have faith that there will be several opportunities for me there in the future. However, I would need to also learn about various fields where IT can be applied so I would know how to transfer the skills I have to whichever field my career would take me. I would do this by being flexible enough to know about these fields through research or by interacting with a variety of professionals and how IT serves their fields. I may be able to serve as a good technical support in any field I choose. My future plans as a holder of a Masters’ and doctorate degree in computing and IT as well as my hopes of having my own IT business someday may be too ambitious for now, but I know with enough hard work, perseverance, persistence and faith in God and my own skills, I will be able to achieve those dreams. Knowing my strengths and weaknesses is an advantage, as I would know how to deal with various situations such as coming up with different projects and working with people. I know my attention to details and organisation skills will go a long way in producing the projects with high quality. I also know that I need to be more firm in expecting excellence from people and not be content with mediocrity just so harmony in relationships will prevail. Needing to balance personal and professional expectations is one thing I have to learn. This is very important especially if I plan on having my own business someday with people lead and teams to motivate towards my company’s success. I am confident that I will be a great asset to any company I will work for in the future. Right now, I need to prepare for greater challenges that will come my way before I can be able to prove myself as an indispensable professional in the future. References Osterman, K. F. (1990) Reflective Practice: A New Agenda for Education, Education And Urban Society 22, no. 2, pp. 133-152. Results for courses for Computing and IT, Retrieved on January 30, 2011 from http://www.bcot.ac.uk/everyone/courses/results.asp?cat=COMPUTING Wright, K. (2007) Personal Knowledge Management Planning Guide. Knowledge Resources Inc. Appendix SWOT Analysis of Self Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats passion for computing and design eagerness to learn innovativeness and persistence positive attitude and dedication to hard work ability to multi-task courage to try new things and go on new adventures adequate training, experience and knowledge from studies An ability to organise and readiness get things done good at getting people to do things setting an example by doing things myself influential (has ability to inspire others and move them to action) Generous, gives time and energy without expecting something in return.. it is an admirable trait that works well toward achieving common goals. Interested in cooperating with others within the existing circumstances to carry out the task. Consistent, predictable and don’t like to cause problems. Focuses on maintaining stability and making decisions deliberately. Identifies with a group as they seek to create a stable, harmonious work environment with minimal conflict. Very patient and good at listening to others. Can be trusted to keep things confidential. Loyal and supportive of friends and associates. Tolerates different ideas and opinions. Accepts people from backgrounds other than my own and displays a heightened awareness of human nature and personal relations. Very supportive of friends and even mere acquaintances. Wants everyone to get along and rarely rejects anyone. Refrains from aggressive behavior and often tries to avoid conflict as best as I can. Believes in teamwork. Displays attention to details and subtleties. Strongly emphasizes service and has genuine appreciation of both people and tasks and so will maintain focus on helping people and promoting harmony. impatience in engaging in the process and seeing the product right away. impulsivity and excitability of trying out new things even if I have not yet mastered a previous skill. Restlessness Too eager to please and be agreeable Can get hung up in an unexpected snag or pulled into the interpersonal issues of others. Does the work of others they can’t or won’t do for themselves. Lets colleagues off the hook and takes burdens for oneself. Conflict causes him to fret and encourages colleagues to ignore his input. May be accused of not being tough enough Needing to be more assertive. Being overly supportive and tolerant may provoke others to just put up with mediocrity and not search for fresh solutions. Rather than confronting issues, I may tough it out myrself and actually allow personal or organizational innovation to wither. Overuses kindness. Tendency to adopt a low profile instead of having open confrontations with aggressive individuals may be perceived as a lack of “toughness”. Afraid of public speaking tasks volunteer work for people in need of computing skills boom of software for digital media available fresh courses on computing and IT are available online in case I am unable to personally attend classes. Materials for digital production (CD’s, DVD’s, digital cameras, software, equipment, etc.) are getting cheaper as more alternatives are being developed My profile is likely to be of greatest value in situations where you are involved in decision making with other people. Here I should try to make sure that there is a practical outcome and that it is in line with what was intended in the first place. To get to that position I need to have built up a reputation as someone who gets things done. My credentials need to grow from my experiences. I will then be in a position to influence others. It is important that I let those around me see where my contribution lies, as I am then more likely to achieve personal fulfillment. I need to always remember to give credit to others for what is achieved by the team as a whole. When the time comes to enter the workplace, I will need to project a positive and clear image of myself at interviews. Present myself as someone who is keen to get involved. Say that I prefer to take action through people rather than attending to everything myself. I will ask questions that enable me to check whether the people who work on practical activities do so in a balanced way that appeals to me. This will then help me to decide whether or not the opportunity is suitable for me. consider the advantages of working with someone who is good in areas where I am weak. Such co-operation will leave intact my sense of personal identity, while allowing me to develop my interpersonal skills Find colleagues of similar competence and sincerity so he becomes successful at validating his own contributions to the organisation. Acknowledge my full potential and act upon it. Be comfortable with myself and understand the importance of being firm when circumstances warrant an assertive response. Interest in digital media may be widespread, so competition may be stiff. Fast pace of technological advancement may render mastered skills useless after a short period of time New ideas may not always matter. But where they do, look out for someone who can make a contribution in this area. That person may be able to help me and, reciprocally, I may help that person in making the ideas work. If I never share my real thoughts and opinions for being disagreeable, I run the risk of being perceived as wishy-washy or lacking in substance. Deadlines need to be met. When there are multiple projects and my name is on all of them, I have to learn to say no to additional favours asked by friends conserve my time and energy. Being self-assured, if I don’t show an appreciation for other’s worries, I risk losing my credibility. Due to steadiness being strongly marked, in a state of flux, it would help if I can work with others flexibly and comfortably amidst the change, reacting quickly to the unexpected. I may feel unappreciated if I do not seek to understand how my contributions add to the group effort. Since I do not complain much and not confront those who might be hindering the progress of the group, I risk being perceived as lacking in toughness. Curriculum Vitae Education/Qualifications: High school diploma, graduated in Emam Nafiaa in 2004 in Saudi Arabia. Training course certificate in How to Deal with Customers, taken from Saudi Telecom Company. Training course taken in Saudi Telecom Company programme. Technical Skills: Work on Windows XP, Vista and 7. Use Adobe Premier programme to edit and create video clips. Use Switch Flash to create flash clips. Work on Office 2010. Have used C++ language. Can setup a private network such as a home network. Work experience: Worked in 3 Companies from 2005 to 2008 as a Human Resource Co-administrator. Saudi Telecom Company for about 1 year IT Technology Company for about 2 years Network Juale Company for about 3 months.   Read More