The Nature of Professionalism Required for My Chosen Career - Literature review Example

Professional Development Student’s Name Subject Professor University/Institution Location Date Introduction Following the past analysis of my professional development, there are more requirements that I will continually identify and incorporate along the professional path. Both the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills will endear me in performing and efficient delivery. Precisely, the past tests and feedback from the coursework have enlightened and refined some significant objectives that are critical in my career as business administrator. Furthermore, the theory behind self-evaluation has endeared current and constant future evaluations that will be very useful in my workplaces and the general social life issues that are pertinent to my career. I have assumed a new approach to professional development in the past and currently where I involve my colleagues, mentors and other people within the social ties to ascertain my reflections and self-assessments. In connection with this, there are various areas, skills and outcomes that I expect to achieve to respond to the demands of my profession. Reflection on the nature of Professionalism required for my Chosen Career 2.1 My Desired future career direction. Having worked for more than three years as an administration manager, there is actually more to expect in the near and outlying future in professional development. Hughes (2012), demonstrates that an administrative manager overseas business support operations. The smooth running of the department or company depends on managerial support of the administrative manager. In addition, an administrative manager can assume other roles such as supervision of personnel, tracking the day-to-day operations and offering analytical skills to the organization. In line with this, I have taken the required training, programs and courses that are resourceful to the area of professionalism. Furthermore, I would want to lecture in a university in units and courses related to administration and management. Apart from the general administrative task, I specifically require to develop competency in scheduling, correspondence, filling and other data entry tasks. The skills that come into play like to implement, maintaining and managing organizational operational systems are a necessity. 2.2 Transferable Skills required As Sosa (2011) observes, in an organizational set up there are both formal and informal set-ups of interactions. In both, critical operational and administrative skills can be transferred to the immediate personnel and spread to various parts of the organization. Self-discipline, intelligence, taking responsibility and being presentable can be adopted through informal set-up scenarios of interaction. In administration, a manager should focus to promote positivism, enthusiasm and leadership skills to the teams (Fuller & Unwin 2011). The skills are appropriately transferred through shared roles, setting goals for certain objectives and provision of the necessary resources for delivery. There are however specific skills that are core in this regard which include planning, co-ordination, organizing activities and giving orders through the exercised control for various processes. This should reflect in my professional development and be applied appropriately when and where required. 2.3 Relevant Ethical Frameworks / Values Cooper (2012) observes that, as an administrative manager, there are two ethical perspectives expected and that support professionalism. Defensive administrative ethics that I have to adopt are anti-corruption, rule of law and integrity. The purpose will be to promote the organizational agendas in line with the external factors and requirements. Affirmative administrative ethics include the day-to-day practices that support fairness, public good and justice. To face the complex ethical dilemmas, those core values are relevant in avoiding the conflict of interest, remain accountable and responsible, offer service to people, respect official secrets among others. 2.4 Technical Knowledge and Competencies required Whereas the general administrative management competency is desirable, technical skills are as much important for application in personal and other professional requirements. The practical skills such as solving computers mechanical breakdown can be acquired through training for a short period and updating through interacting and training others at work about the same. The ability in using and maintaining workplace equipment is a great consideration for efficient delivery. There are also various online tools used to reduce service functions, store information and offering specialized skills at workplaces. 2.5 Important Attitudes and Motivations To succeed as an administrator and other lecturing career, gathering and using the necessary and available information from both internal and external contexts is very necessary. Planning, utilizing opportunities, learning, risking and organizing will build successful professionalism (Chen 2012). Section 3 - Reasons for Skill Choice Teamwork Tohidi (2011) argues that, teamwork is essential in any organization as teams deliver various tasks in an organization. In any organization there are various assigned projects which are delivered through teamwork. The team members provide different skills to an overall product that positively impact the entire organization. As Jiang (2010) demonstrates, where there are individualistic employees, sometimes team work becomes a problem and thus team building will at various times be required and maintained for smooth running of projects. Teamwork is essential in delegation where the team understands the weaknesses and strengths of each of its members. They will then complement one another and become proficient in task division as well as promoting significant qualifications for personnel. Strong team work will also enhance the managerial roles in determining the members that can accomplish certain tasks successfully. Tabassi, Ramli & Bakar (2012) argues that, efficiency is a matter of concern for every task in an organization. The synchronized roles run well through teamwork where the developed systems enable the organization to complete its tasks quickly and efficiently. Well-trained and efficient team accurately completes various tasks. This will be required to manage organizational resources where more work that generates more revenue can be accomplished without additional staffs. As an administrator teamwork provides ideas and support. This is then used to deliver timely decisions and achieve quicker outcomes. Team members offer different suggestions when they adopt and are accustomed to brainstorm information and variety of suggestions. The day-to-day challenges of an organization will require the support mechanism that can only be offered through teamwork. This improves professional development. Time Management Adopting a skill in time management is very effective for career advancement. This is because it affects the way one is perceived by others which in some instances may also lead to promotion. Decisiveness in proper manner is effective for moving the organization and personnel forward. Making use of the available time for organizational decisions enhance creativeness, empirical thinking and improves logic. To lower personal stress, time management is very effective as it reduces the effects of overwhelming activities. In most cases, the effective use of transition time can reduce time wastage. It will also promote managerial effectiveness in all activities without assigning specific negative attitudes to particular tasks which consequently lead to negative impact. This means that the delivery of every task will assure quality work as it is possible to assign every task quality time and focus at tasks at hand. Time management promotes self management as they complement each other. Good filling system for important records and avoiding cumbersome work can reduce time wastage. Precisely, it allows an effective attitude towards goals setting where time is effectively managed to achieve every goal (Zampetakis, Bouranta & Moustakis 2010). Writing Communication Skills Writing communication skill is very important as it affect formal interaction. The skill is effectively useful when it comes to variety of people, career success and professional interactions. In professional development, writing communication skills serve various purposes. It becomes possible to deliver messages and information and get feedback and responses as writing communication is an effective tool that can be referred immediately and future (Shockley-Zalabak 2012). It is a useful tool that helps in documenting and retrieval of the past messages and confirms various details when in need. Effective skills depend on how clear, concise and effective a piece of writing is to the audiences. In administrative profession, a manager has to write to different personnel when planning, delegation and reporting where the audiences are expected to grasp the issues in each context and the organizational expectations. Feedback has to be effective as possible and a manager will strive for it through writing communication. As much as there is no face-to-face and immediate response, the various audiences are expected to react to the written messages. In addition, there might be a need for clarity or respond to the expectations. This simply promotes the ability to understand others and incorporate their views in various operations. It will also promote others to feel part of the organization as their suggestions are taken and implemented. Emotional management in writing communication is a critical skill. This is revealed through the ones capacity to control emotions in written messages and response to others people emotions. It effectively help a person to understand when, where and how to write, express or respond to other people emotions. Section 4 - Evaluation of my Learning and Skills Development throughout this PD Module 4.1 What I have learned as a result of putting my PD Plans into action Professional development plans have endeared and effectively closed the gap between knowing and doing. I have taken various skills; communication, time management and teamwork and incorporated the content knowledge in each to validate day-to-day practices. It has been a link of knowledge and application in learning and action-based environments. Through application of various plans with specific objectives and time-frame, learning and application of skills has been an ongoing, sustained process. This has been ascertained by reflection on the practice and experiment in supportive settings such as group work (Garet et al 2001). I have successfully participated in activities and interacted with different people. In such activities, it has become very easy to introduce ideas and initiate events for growth and accomplishing change (Costa 2001). Hunter et al, (2007) asserts that professional development plans endear active engagement in learning and assessment activities as a personal model which is inquiry-based for further improvement. Learning has taken a new dimension through the help of research activities, reliance on soft skills observed with key role models in learning set-ups and diverse companies. In addition, team work has improved I real work through activities of developing ideas, problem solving in real practices, reflection on progress, engagement, observation and feedback. Activities build on the skills in my PD have taken a natural and normal aspect. I have embedded them routinely as integral part of life, practices and activities. I have overly become career-focused and adapted to the needs and interests of professional purposes. By adopting formal analysis of needs it has become easier to support personal, participants and institutional initiatives (Hunter et al 2007). 4.1.1 Developing Teamwork Skills Teamwork is another major skill I have learnt through this module. According to Baker et al (2006), ability to solve problems is built on the capability of teamwork, time management and communication skills as effective approach to professional development. Jim (2003) posits that teamwork is essential as it contributes to development of our interpersonal skills. Through personal development module, my self confidence was enhanced particularly due to exercise and explanations of interpersonal skills gained through teamwork. Being assigned a role to represent specific duties, and handle particular work with other members of the team enhanced my teamwork skills. By being often involved in work with others augmented my interpersonal competence to an extent of relating well with others, and do well in teamwork. In the course of this module, I have learnt to understand why other individuals think and feel the way they do, by seeing things from their point of view. In turn, I have become a team builder and an effective team player who can be reliable in teamwork. Baker et al, 2006 posits that through teamwork, it is possible to remain calm which further allows one to acknowledge a problem by involving like-minded and solution-oriented people. Teamwork also promotes open-mindedness where all possible solutions can be tried and ascertained. The primary purpose is to support creative thinking to trigger potential solutions through brainstorming (Baker et al 2006). I have therefore learnt to realize what is currently not working and engage an approach in finding new way on every problem. Essentially, working with teams allowed me to change the direction of thoughts and get an in-depth approach and view of things. The new approaches and ways allow looking at a problem in different and unique ways to stimulate fresh solutions (Lawrence & Johnson 2005). Actually, I have gained a major boost in teamwork particularly by learning how to delegate. This has been a critical area of concern since I joined groups where am assigned lead roles. 4.1.2 Developing Writing Communication Skills In preparation to career and professionalism, communication is critical depending on the mode adopted. In this case, formal communication has overly become more useful with the new technologies (Dallimore, Hertenstein & Platt 2008). In such case, it is possible to expect that as an administrative manager, most work will involve communicating. While not all the members of an organization will be reached at a go through the oral communication, written communication skills are therefore vital. In precise terms, e-mails, memos and circulars act as the main channels for communication when effectively applied in an organizational set-up. The module has effectively developed variable communication skill where it is possible to get a similar message from many people through customizing some parts of a message in regard to specific recipient. The module involved various test accomplished through writing. Formality was promoted through creating meaning, concise and clear texts, reports and feedback. Communication with CP members through e-mails, texting and short-notes has commonly been used when inquiring, sending apologies and feedback on tasks. In writing the aspect of logic flow and skills like enthusiasm and inquiry is promoted as a critical skill (Dallimore, Hertenstein & Platt 2008). This is a tool to work with in professional set-ups. Once adopted and skills developed in various channels of communication, it is probably possible to achieve capacities to communicate well where members are dispersed, working in different geographical locations and time schedules. This has been possible in group work where resourceful feedback and responses has been achieved through the use of written communication skills. 4.1.3 Developing my Time Management Skills Liddle and Diamond, 2007 states that professional development plans reduce the tendency of making things complicated through simple generalization. Every issue has its basics which promote moving from what is known to the unknown. The easy and obvious solutions are available and if critically applied, they deliver best results. Time management effectively deals with some basics and not the whole. To be able to accomplish tasks in time, tasks need to be split so that every stage can be assigned a specific duration from start to completion. This promote productivity and effectiveness through using the time which would possibly would not have been considered if the issue was looked at as a whole. According to Arnold and Pulich (2004), teamwork is an effective approach to time management. The shared tasks amongst the group are done in a less time than it would have been with individual efforts. Teamwork is an efficient way that can be continuously used in problem analysis through divergence thinking and techniques and ultimately convergence on specific solution and approach of a certain activity or idea. Teamwork reduces doubts and rule out the possibility of repetitive thinking and activities. Effective use of communication skills promotes clarity which allows different participants to work from a common point through a common direction to achieve specific objectives and goals (Liddle & Diamond 2007). 4.2 Impact of my PD efforts on my performance in CP and elsewhere The CP project was built on teamwork and delivery. It involved preliminary integration of ideas, planning, initiating, monitoring and evaluation of project objectives and goals. Various PD efforts were successfully used in teamwork, communication and time management. Various knowledge and skills were applicable and were effective techniques and tools that helped meet CP requirements. Communication skills promoted deliberation and consultation on project scope, time, risks and quality desired. The teams members communicated their differing expectations and approaches and helped identify requirements. Every member was given an opportunity to pose their views in project approach and accomplishment (Kao & Tsai 2009). Throughout the project lifecycle, there was a need for progressive elaboration where more information was promoted about the project to be well equipped in managing it. When new issues were communicated and new skills endeared in the course of the project, the techniques were applied appropriately and feedback given on time (Kao & Tsai 2009). Time management has been a significant tool in accomplishing the task in line with its designed duration (Arnold and Pulich 2004). Various tasks were designed and assigned a day for reporting and review by other team mates. This means that the time allocated for every issue was effectively used. Teamwork has allowed contribution, assistance and support to accomplish the CP project. 4.3 Methods that have been effective in developing my skills Garet et al, 2001 argues that, various identified skills are developed through conscious approach to self development and professionalism. Every method used for communication for instance written words, spoken words and nonverbal cues can be combined to reflect competent communication. In various levels of interactions, it has been possible to identify the different barriers to communication and apply the appropriate mechanisms to establish and modify modes of communication depending on the context and audiences. Through simple interactions, it has been possible to adopt a practice in social and professional context (Garet et al 2001). Through maintaining eye contact and use of gestures, it has been possible to keep interactions lively and address issue in a genuine manner. In reality, keeping the eye contact makes discussion productive and assuring. Teamwork has been supported through working with diverse personalities, talents and cultures. They have also promoted creativity and innovation due to approach of problems in different ways. Teamwork has endeared setting of targets, timelines and assuming responsibilities which further creates personal discipline. Leadership skills such as inspiration, support, coordination and direction have been promoted where team members have felt involved in objectives progress. 5.0 Conclusion 5.1 My professionalism at the end of the PD Module There are general areas in professionalism that have developed after learning, practice, application and assessments of the module. The administrative management profession has significant skills to be applied and which proves professionalism and this were identified and used to various extent throughout the course. Consequently, the quality, value and approach based on core skills have been reflected in ideology and practice on day-to-day activities. The module was effective as it promoted narrow and specific focus on some skills pertinent to the career and professional development. This was further adopted in formal and informal setting to weigh how effective one can be and the areas to continually improve in. The module has also allowed an exploration of different working context and develops approaches in ideology and practice. This has combined significant information in the course and theory that can further be applied in organizational practice and contexts. Such preparation makes an individual gain a professional identity, access to formal training and applies various knowledge and skills in working. There are some challenges that may affect professional development critically in time management and teamwork. Family ties as well as care are part and parcel of routine work which has to be attended to. In such circumstances, it becomes hard to balance between family issues and professional development by taking more time in family matters. However, it is possible to solve it once in a formal employment where some matters can be settled easily with family members once they understand the professional commitments. All the same, as both aspects; the profession and family are important, developing skills in time management will be an efficient way to strike the right balance. There are set goals based on short-term and long-term basis. In near future, as an employee and possibly taking a subordinate position, professional development will continue to depend on role models, training and application of skills at organizational levels. This will promote practical approaches to decision making, planning, initiating, controlling and evaluation of processes in the organization. However, in the long-run, leadership skills which are learnt through career progress and interactions will then be engaged. Practice will be the basis for daily learning where through involvement of different personalities, talents and skills, it will be possible to ensure professional development. In such leadership position, it is possible to interact with different personalities from different regions and they would advance professionalism. References Garet, M. S., Porter, A. C., Desimone, L., Birman, B. F., & Yoon, K. S. (2001). What makes professional development effective? Results from a national sample of teachers. American educational research journal, 38(4), 915-945. Costa, A. L 2001, Developing minds: A resource book for teaching thinking. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 1703 N. 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