Professional Development Plan - Assignment Example

Professional Development Plan & Review XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXX Table of Contents Introduction ………………………………………………..4 2. Personal Development Plan.................................................. a. Self Goal……………………………………………. b. Group Goal………………………………………. 5 c. Academic Study & Critical Writing Evaluation……6 3. Progress Review…………………………………………… 7 a. Methodology……………………………………8 b. Employment Skills……………………………....9 4. Long Term Plan of Action………………………………… 5. Conclusion………………………………………………… 10 6. References List…………………………………………… 12 7. Appendices………………………………………………...13 Tables and Figures Johari Window 1. Open Area 2. Blind Area 3. Hidden Area 4. Unknown Area SWOT Analysis Positive Negative Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Introduction Section 1: Professional Development Plan A professional development plan is a well laid set up that aims at ensuring that an individual achieves the best that they can in their endeavors. This is a very important action as it assists in the later years when the individual plans on getting employed as the skills developed during the training period are profound. The personal development plan involves the coordination of the individual’s activities through many different techniques as diversity assists in acquiring optimal results. In the process, there is the setting of goals and the development of ideas as to how they can be achieved. The following description states the goals that I have set, these are the self goal of completing assignments in time, group goal of increased coordination and finally critically evaluating my writing skills. I furthermore explain the manner in which I have gone through the process of developing them and the results obtained. 1. Self Goal In my education, I have gone through many different problems and trying times. Some hindered me from achieving the best in university and thus I set several goals to ensure that they were eliminated. One of the problems that I had was the inability to complete my assignments in time. This was a major hindrance and in an effort to eliminate it, I set the goal of always preparing for my assignments early. This was effective as it offered me spare time that I went through the work to ensure perfection. There were a number of stages involved in the accomplishment of this. The first stage in this process was to ensure that I had an overview of the whole assignment so that I could divide it to ensure that I finish the parts in place. This was bound to help me break down the work and it made it seem simple. I was also be able to have my own self calendar to keep in mind the deadlines. In case of failure, I was supposed to accept it and work on all my mistakes to avoid them in future. The learning strategies for the perfection of the plan were to ensure that the project I was working on got ready three weeks due. The opportunities that I put into use were practicing on my own to identify my weak areas. Moreover, I was able to set my own study time and work with my friends as they added me knowledge that I did not have before and I offered them new knowledge (Cottrell, 2010, 71). To improve my motivation to start preparing for assignments in one month is important. I also had access to books and the internet as a source of my information and due to my consistency. My plan worked and the evidence that I was able to achieve my goal by January lies in the email that I got from University stating that I had handed in my assignments in time. 2. Group Goal The other goal that I have in my personal development plan is to improve as a coordinator which is a post that I bear. The learning strategies that I have to put into play for the perfection of this are by doing more research to bear more knowledge, moreover, I have to produce a check list. The check list is important to identify any missing ingredient for the perfection of my coordinator job description. I should have more power in that I should be able to delegate tasks to the people that I coordinate. By the time of the presentation, I should volunteer for the task of leading the presentation as it is the role of the coordinator to choose the candidate to present the findings. For the perfection of the plan and optimization of the goal liability, I should carry out more research on the provided topic and be more organized. By the end of March I am bound to achieve my goal to improve my goal acting as a coordinator in my group presentation in April. 3. Academic Study & Critical Writing Evaluation I should also have a check list in place for my academic progress as it is important to ensure that I have overviewed all fields. All these should be implemented by putting them in the next presentation where my strengths and weaknesses are bound to be brought out in full. This will further improve my personal study qualities. The third goal that I should ensure is accomplished is on a personal level. I have to improve the ability to evaluate my own writing at a critical level. This can be maximized by ensuring that I do a lot of reading to gain knowledge on the manner in which I can improve my writing. Carrying out exercises is also important in that this will act as a form of training for me and through this I will be able to perfect my writing (Cottrell, 2008, 97). With hard work and diligence, I am also bound to complete the goal in time to improve my ability to critically evaluate my own writing to help improve my assignment grades from a 2.2 to a 2.1 by the end of the year. Section 2: Progress Review 1. Methodology The method used to identify my first goal was by the use of questionnaires and the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis; this is as evidenced by the first appendix that shows that the analysis was influential in my progress. There was the presentation of questionnaires that I took to my close associates and family to fill in so that I could identify my weak and strong areas (West, 2010, 177). The results obtained from the questionnaires identified the previously noted problem of not finishing assignments in time for major parts of the university period. The BELBIN test is a form of strategic examination that identifies the various team roles that are present in the unit world (Sandler, 2009, 276). My coordination skills were identified from the test in that my skills to coordinate the people that I study with were very poor. The second appendix that I had to go through a mental test evidences this. The Johari Window was very effective in the accomplishment of the goals. This is due to the fact that it scrutinized my positive and negative attributes by having an in depth study of my mind. The Johari Window is used by scientists as techniques to assist human beings understand their capabilities. The technique divides the mind in a form of 4 windows in which the attributes that are positive are identified along as the negative ones (Stiles, 2009, 134). The window also identified my poor effectiveness when it came to finishing my assignments and coordination skills. I could not be able to coordinate the people that I was working with. This was the basis of my second goal. Despite the fact that the Johari window was used for the second goal, the BELBIN test, through carrying out the necessary nine steps was the one that identified the problem to a deeper manner. The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis was used in identifying my conditions for the optimization of my goals (Samuel, 2007, 93). The goal in this condition could have been achieved by identifying all the four branches. My situation in this case was that I was poor in my writing coordination. There were very many reasons as to why I was poor at it. There are times that I get into class feeling all stressed and I end up putting down information that is not the best. Moreover, my handwriting is not the best and I have set it as my goal to ensure that I improve in this. This analysis was backed up by my essay feedback that showed that I had not fully attained my potential. In the carrying out of the study, the Strengths that I found were that I was able to attend all classes without failure. This was very influential in that it helped me understand the concept of attention. The fact that I never missed class meant that I was able to obtain all notes that were required. Looking back at the second goal, I was able to accomplish my goal of attaining coordination. Due to this, I found it rather simple to coordinate what was going on in class and this was very effective in my studies. I was also able to identify my weaknesses as bringing in my class unrelated issues to class and thus losing concentration to an extent. I am still working on this goal and it is set to be attained by mid March. 2. Employment Skills The fact that they are goals, they will bring out other characters that are looked for by employers in the job market. One of the skills that will be established is the self management in that I have learnt to manage and coordinate my educational information (Attwood, 2006, 179). By volunteering to handle the presentation shows that I can take on the task of responsibility. By managing to finish my homework in time, I have shown that I can take on the employment trait of time management (Daniels, 2008, 147). Moreover, the concept of team work in the employment category has been brought into focus with the amount of group work that I have been carrying out with my classmates. Section 3: Long Term Plan of Action After the overall planning of the project and identifying the means through which the goals will be achieved for the ones yet to be achieved, there should be the long term set of plans. This should be done by asking oneself a couple of questions like where the person is meant to be in the following year. The plan for the next year is that I have to increase the points in my grades. Not only should the points improve but I should be able to attain higher grades than those of the past year. This should be done by ensuring that I pay my teachers regular visits so that I gain insight on the areas that I find to be most problematic. This is also important as the teachers will find me interested and thus bestow upon me certain responsibilities that will assist me improve my general skills. Another goal that I am planning to achieve is to attain a less stressed state of mind. This will be done by participating in extra-curricular activities in university. These activities are like sports. I have always had n interest in playing basketball and this opportunity to play while in university s one that I will not find in the outside world. I will ensure that I achieve this goal by talking to the captain of the team to land some practice sessions. Conclusion The fact that I have been able to achieve the self goal was geared by the fact that I paid attention to the time factor and was able to complete the assignments in time. My coordination skills have also been sharpened by the power to coordinate my group members more. Moreover, my writing skills have been enhanced by carrying out the SWOT analysis. By next year, the evidence that I will have that the developmental goals have been achieved is that my fellow students will have noticed an increased level of attention in class due to keeping fit. Moreover, my grades will be found to have increased by the first exam that I take in the semester. In addition, the level of participation that I will have in class will be improved a lot. Referencing Attwood, M. 2006. Professional Development Plan: A Guide for Primary Care. New York: McGraw Hill Publishers. Cottrell, S. 2008. Evolution and Human Behavior. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Cottrell, S. 2010. Skills for Success. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Daniels, F. 2008. Professional Development Plans and Their Formation: A Guide. New York: Pilgrim Press. Samuel, D. 2007. Time Management as a Tool for Success. Chicago: Jackson and Sons in Print. Sandler, M. 2009. Understanding the SWOT Analysis. London: Oxford University Press. Stiles, K. 2009. Designing Professional Development Plans. New York: Cengage Learning. West, R. 2010. Johari Window: Understanding Interpersonal Communication. London: Oxford University Press. Appendices Dixon, F. (2011). Personal Development Plan and Improvements. New York: Cengage Learning Richardson, B. (2008). Theoretical Structure of Psychology. Chicago: Jackson and Sons in Print. Read More