Personal and Professional Development: Goals and PDP

This report discusses the concept of personal and professional development, the value of short, medium, and long term goals, and the importance of creating a Personal Development Plan (PDP). It provides examples of goals and offers insights on how to develop a PDP for career growth.

Academic Skills and
Professional
Development Plan
(PDP)

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Define the concept of personal and professional development..............................................3
Describe and discuss the value of short term goals, identifying at least three personal
examples.................................................................................................................................3
Describe and discuss the value of medium term goals, identifying at least three personal
examples.................................................................................................................................4
Describe and discuss the value of long term goals, identifying at least three personal
examples.................................................................................................................................5
Describe and discuss the value of a Personal Development Plan and construct an example
using your identified goals.....................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8
APPENDIX 1...................................................................................................................................9
Professional Development Plan (PDP)...................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Personal and Professional development is a vital process for an individual learner for
leading a successful and comfortable life with a strong career in their preferred field. The
development of an individual is crucial for their foreseeable future and evolution of their lives
(McGill, Heikkila and Lazarowicz, 2020). The present report will be discussing the advantages
and disadvantages of personal and professional development with emphasis on the short,
medium and long term goals with examples. The concept of personal and professional
development is examined and evaluated with the focus on the individuals future development
and career upliftment. Lastly, the value of Professional Development Plan is presented with a
PDP attached in the appendix.
MAIN BODY
Define the concept of personal and professional development.
The concept of personal and professional development is a process applicable to
individual person and to the whole organisational group. This is the process by which the
persona and the organisation can easily engage themselves in the process of learning, developing
and mitigating their challenges occurring in the pathway of desired goals and objectives (Ventura
and et al., 2018). Personal planning and growth process is combined with values, outlook,
initiative and respect a person holds.
While the phenomena of personal and professional development is considered as
continuous and regular process that is a part of day to day life of people and most significantly of
a professional working or entering in their career field. The activities conducted under personal
and professional development or growth of individuals involves making goals to attain new skills
and required capabilities. Personal and professional development is also known to be the concept
which is linked with the long term growth of a person as well as contributes in shaping them as a
successful person affecting all aspects of a human life. Hence the name of the concept that is
personal and professional development is justified with its influences being placed on the life and
career (Avidov-Ungar, 2016).
Describe and discuss the value of short term goals, identifying at least three personal examples.
Short term goals are those accomplishments and targets a person set for themselves
which they needs to attain in the nearest time or period possible and which will work as a

building block for the individual to move further in their career. Strongly structured short term
goals and perspectives of people is an helpful approach for them to reach to their long term aims
and this highlights the value of the short term goals in life of a person or a professional (Montoya
and et al., 2019).
The time period required and needed for achieving short term goals varies between 2
weeks to 2 or 3 months. The short term objectives are determined as part of puzzles in life of an
individual which helps them to create a whole image in the end. The value of the aims which are
to be achieved in a shorter duration is it help individuals to direct them in their day to day lives
by making them understand the steps they needs to follow everyday for attain their objective
(Beriswill and et. al., 2016). Also the short term aims offers people a feasible option for
accomplishing their targets and also regularly motivates them on every stage or phase. Some of
the examples of short term goals are: Reading for 10 Hours a week and gradually increasing the hours monthly. Learn more about communication and becoming an active listener.
 Time Management.
Describe and discuss the value of medium term goals, identifying at least three personal
examples.
The Medium term goals are defined as those building blocks or support which is provided
to the long term term goals if the individual and help them in reaching to their ultimate objective
in personal and professional perspectives. The time period involved in attaining the medium term
goals is of one to two years. In regards to different researchers and experts the medium term
goals are tailored and attached with their values, existing skill sets and personal perception in
order to make the most of the goals and reaching to a satisfaction level.
The value offered by the medium term goals of people is towards development of their
personal and professional lives and helping them leading a successful work life balance while
working and operating in their preferred position in their organisation or workplace (Espelage,
Rose and Polanin, 2016). In a life of a person the role played by medium term goals is rendering
them assurance and assistance in constructing a strong long term objectives and future decisions
in order to move to the highest position possible with huge capabilities and skill sets. My
personal medium term goals are presented below as examples: Team working Skills.

 Problem Solving Skills.
 Decision Making Abilities.
Describe and discuss the value of long term goals, identifying at least three personal examples.
A long term goal or goals as the name suggests needs huge time and more rigorous
actions or efforts to be placed and made in order to attain them and to move towards growth. The
long term targets are known to be more complicated and difficult to attain and on the same time
it requires involvement of more cost and money to achieve the targeted level of efficiency and
proficiency. These types of goals have to be taken into consideration very carefully and the plans
made for accomplishing them have to be very critical and evaluative (Lin and Magnuson, 2018).
The long term goals are supported by the medium and shorts term objectives which were
achieved by the individual earlier in their lives. The supportive aspect related to the long term
goals is distributed in small pieces and parts and denoted as short or medium term goals and
known as the small steps taken for accomplishing something big and life changing in
consideration to individuals personal and professional perspectives. The value offered by the
long term goals to the person is of support and shaping then up into what they will be in future
which is best for them and their career in regards for leading a safe, successful and healthy life
with enough balance between work and personal time as well as by having a balanced work
environment around. Some of the examples of long term goals are as follows: Increase in pay scale. Management Skills.
 Technical Skills.
Describe and discuss the value of a Personal Development Plan and construct an example using
your identified goals.
A Professional development and growth plan is a tool or an option which is used by
individuals or a person to develop a blueprint of the steps and actions they will undertake for
making move or efforts towards attaining their desired and established goals (Deiorio and et al.,
2016). A professional development plan is an essential tool for skill building, self improvement
and growth of an individual. The Professional Development Plan is constructed by the person
himself or herself. Hence, honest review and evaluation is compulsory is important factor which
leads to development and processing of a successful PDP.

Moreover, a Professional Development Plan is a supportive tool which is used of making
improvements in the identified areas by allocating required resources and using development
opportunities identified earlier (Mula and et al., 2017). Also, with the use of the Professional
Development Plan a person will be benefited with the appropriate judgement criteria which will
help them in making judgements of their improvements and more critical knowledge about the
aspects related to attaining the prescribed goal to the standards decided.
Developing Professional Development Plan and following it thoroughly is a successful
step a person have to and should adopt in order to accomplish the desired objective which were
mentioned in the Professional Development Plan (Elliott, 2018). The Professional Development
Plan is a schedule which is suggested to the individual to be followed and offers the pathway for
making development and grow in the most systematic and prescribed manner helping to reach
the goals in the time frame required and mentioned. The Professional Development Plan works
as a guideline for people or the user which takes and keeps them in right pathway while moving
in a direction for making improvement, development and growth. A Professional Development
Plan is acts as vital tool which showcases the views and ideas of people having in their minds for
making development and changes in their career as well as personal lives.
CONCLUSION
From the report and discussion conducted in the above section or the report is related
with Personal and Professional Development or growth of people which reflects huge value and
importance for a individual to lead a successful life. The discussion is conducted over setting
short, medium and long term goals for a person for moving further in their career and also
shaping a supportive structure on the aspects of a human life. Along with it in the assignment
personal and professional development is discussed and a PDP is constructed as well for
developing a blueprint for how to move further in career while taking up appropriate measures
for keeping up and developing the skills identified and which are essential for an individual to
hold.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Avidov-Ungar, O., 2016. A model of professional development: Teachers’ perceptions of their
professional development. Teachers and Teaching, 22(6), pp.653-669.
Beriswill, J. E. and et. al., 2016. Professional development for promoting 21st century skills and
common core state standards in foreign language and social studies
classrooms. TechTrends, 60(1), pp.77-84.
Deiorio, N. M. and et al., 2016. Coaching: a new model for academic and career
achievement. Medical education online, 21(1), p.33480.
Elliott, P. S., 2018. Practice what we teach: Using the TPACK framework to connect
professional development and academic programs and processes. College and
University, 93(4), pp.16-24.
Espelage, D. L., Rose, C. A. and Polanin, J. R., 2016. Social-emotional learning program to
promote prosocial and academic skills among middle school students with
disabilities. Remedial and Special Education, 37(6), pp.323-332.
Lin, Y. C. and Magnuson, K. A., 2018. Classroom quality and children’s academic skills in child
care centers: Understanding the role of teacher qualifications. Early Childhood
Research Quarterly, 42, pp.215-227.
McGill, C. M., Heikkila, M. and Lazarowicz, T., 2020. Professional development, performance
expectations and academic advisors’ perceptions of relational skills: a sequential
explanatory mixed methods study. New Horizons in Adult Education and Human
Resource Development, 32(4), pp.50-69.
Montoya, M. F. and et al., 2019. Executive function in Chilean preschool children: Do short-term
memory, working memory, and response inhibition contribute differentially to early
academic skills?. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 46, pp.187-200.
Mula, I. and et al., 2017. Catalysing change in higher education for sustainable
development. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education.
Ventura, L. M. and et al., 2018. Executive functioning, academic skills, and quality of life in
pediatric patients with brain tumors post-proton radiation therapy. Journal of neuro-
oncology, 137(1), pp.119-126.

APPENDIX 1
Professional Development Plan (PDP)
PRIORITY SKILLS CURRENT
COMPETE
NCY
TARGET
COMPETE
NCY
DEVELOP
MENT
OPPORTU
NITIES
CRITERIA
R TO
JUDGE
TIME
REQUIRE
D
Priority 1 Time
management
skill is an
ability with
assist the
person to
complete
their tasks
and
assigned
work in time
with
appropriate
balance and
system.
Also the
time
management
skill offers a
unique
value to the
person
keeping the
work life
My current
competency
of time
management
is average.
To know the
best and
most
suitable
ways for
managing
time and
knowing the
best ways to
complete
tasks in time
and as
effectively
as possible.
The targeted
competency
is to reach
to the
highest level
possible.
The best
developmen
t
opportunity
for
establishing
better time
management
skill by
using the
guidance
form
professional
s and using
internet for
attending
seminars.
By taking
feedbacks
form my
seniors.
2 months.

balance
maintained.
Priority 2 Team
working
skill is an
ability
which help
an
individual to
develop
strong
relations
with
subordinates
and team
member as
well as work
with one
another with
utmost
efficiency
and
innovative
approaches.
My current
competency
of team
working is
really low as
I am more
comfortable
in working
alone.
My team
working
skills are
very low
and which is
causing
huge
problems
for me as I
am unable
to work in a
team and
will be a
negative
aspect for
my future in
professional
perspective.
In order to
learn and
develop
team
working
skill I will
be attending
training and
developmen
t session
that are
provided by
professional
and are
specifically
developed
for helping
people to
learn and
develop in
concern
with team
working
skill sets.
By taking
feedbacks
form my
peer group
and fellow
students.
1 year.
Priority 3 Managemen
t skill is my
long term
objective
My current
competency
in regards
to
I do not
hold any
management
skill and
In order to
develop and
learn about
management
By making
self
judgements.
Approximat
ely 3 years.

that will
help me to
lead a
successful
life as a
leader or a
manager
within my
organisation
reaching to
higher
position.
The
management
skill is
related with
keeping the
workforce
and
administrati
on of the
business
running in
smooth and
successive
manner.
management
is low. I do
not have any
idea about
the
management
concept and
the skill sets
related to it.
knowledge
and I needs
to learn
about the
management
concept and
it is my long
term
objective.
skills and
concept I
will be
reading
more books
and using
work of
professional
s to seek
knowledge
from skilled
and
experienced
professional
s.