Personal and Professional Development: A Reflective Learning

This report provides insights into personal and professional development, including its importance and the process involved. It discusses the SWOT analysis and VARK model for effective development. It also encourages reflection on personal and professional development and the identification of transferable skills.

PDP

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION 200....................................................................................................................3
Main Body.......................................................................................................................................3
PPD definition 100......................................................................................................................3
PPD Planning process 500..........................................................................................................3
Action plan...................................................................................................................................5
SWOT analysis 600...................................................................................................................5
VARK Model...............................................................................................................................6
Reflect on your personal and professional development to identify the transferable/
employability skills you have developed over the duration of the course. Consider how the
development of these skills will enable you to be successful on the course and within the
workplace.....................................................................................................................................8
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
The major aim of personal and professional development is to help an individual in managing
their growth as well as learning throughout the life of their career. It is necessary for every
individual to make sure that they continue learning and development of their skills as well as
experiences in order to remain up-to-date with the continuously changing work requirements,
legality and various other factors in the environment (Gamrat, and et. al., 2014). The following
report represents a reflective learning of personal and professional development. While
development of personal as well as professional skills it is important to accurately draw the
personal goals and objectives which are necessary for an individual to achieve. There is a
specific process for professional and personal development which is discussed in the following
report. There are various areas for development which includes education, self-improvement as
well as various other skills required for employability of an individual. The following report
consist strengths and weaknesses of an individual which is derived with the help of swot
analysis. There are various other frameworks used to develop our professional and personal
development plan which includes VARK model as well as Gibbs model. The following report
also consist of a reflection of personal and professional development of an individual during a
course.
Main Body
PPD Planning process
It is important to invest time as well as efforts in development of self-skills, abilities as
well as experiences. The professional and personal development is important for an individual
as it helps in managing the setting of goals and achieving them within time. This is very essential
for a person to manage the achievement of professional goals and personal goals so that it is easy
to develop and grow the effectiveness of achieving life goals. There is a proper structure and
process to provide such development to self. It is the responsibility of an individual to make sure
that they are continuously working on their skills and knowledge so that they can effectively
stand the competition in the corporate world. Personal development requires lifelong nurturing,
improving and shaping the skills and knowledge to the maximum level so that an individual can

develop throughout their life. Below mentioned is the process of personal and professional
development and individual needs to follow:
Establishment of goals: The first steps refers for setting up goals for an individual. This may
vary for every person. Some of individuals focus more on personal goals whereas the others
focus majorly on professional goals. The goals might also include development of various skills
such as communication skills, presentation skills, listening skills, time management skills and so
on. Along with setting up of goals it is also necessary to priorities these goals according to their
importance and set a deadline for achieving all of these goals.
Assessing current realities: after setting up of course it is required to assess significantly the
current reality. If an individual is in need to develop communication skills, they need to make
sure that what are the weaknesses in their present communication skills. These may include
whether the individual lacks in vocabulary, vocals, written communication or oral
communication, body language or tactics and so on (Hensley, Smith, and Thompson, 2003).
Only after assessment of the current situation of an individual one can effectively work on
development of various skills.
Identifying needs of skills, knowledge: It is required to critically analyse various needs of skills,
knowledge which an individual needs to develop. The swot analyses used in this report critically
discusses various weaknesses of individual such as stage fear emotional instability, overthinking,
introvert nature etc. It is required by individual to critically assess all the skills along with the
strengths present in an individual so that they can use their strengths as well as opportunities in
order to eliminate all the weaknesses they feel which might act as a barrier in their personal and
professional growth.
Selecting appropriate developmental activities: There are a number of ways in which an
individual can develop the skills which they require. These may include training, practising and
also using the help of superiors as well as experienced person. An individual needs to choose
which is the best option for them in order to develop the skills they require. It is essential for
managing the work properly in order to select the appropriate developmental activities.
Measure the progress: this is the last and important stage of personal and professional
development process in which an individual needs to make sure that after the application of
process they are measuring the results which the process has opted for them. They need to
compare the results with the girls they have said in the beginning. If the girls are not achieved

effectively, they need to find ways to implement the plan so that the goals can be achieved in the
required time.
SWOT analysis
Personal swot analysis is a powerful tool which helps an individual to list down various
opportunities that they wouldn’t have spotted otherwise (Hunter, Laursen, and Seymour, 2007).
It is also important to learn about self-weaknesses so that they can be eliminated and various
threats which can hurt the ability of a person in order to move forward in their life. Swot analysis
helps an individual to differentiate from their peers, friends and make sure that they develop
various skills, talents and abilities which they require in their future and career in order to
achieve all their personal as well as professional goals. Below mentioned is SWOT analysis I
conducted on myself:
Strengths Weaknesses
I have noticed that I have effective
communication skills as I can communicate
the information required without any barriers.
I am very oriented towards all my personal as
well as professional goals. I set targets before
starting a job and make sure that all my
targets are achieved successfully.
I am a hard-working as well as committed
person I always try to complete a task I have
started.
I am a very optimistic person and always try
to avoid any negativity coming in my way
while completion of my goals and objectives.
I am inspired by effective and officiant
leaders and also follow them in order to
develop good leadership qualities in myself.
I am hard-working and a good listener. I try to
I have noticed that I am a very shy individual
and due to this sometimes I am unable to
address my problems, opinions or views in
certain matter and regret about them later.
I have a stage phobia due to which a number of
times I am unable to come up in meetings as
well as presentation to keep up my point and
explain my view to the listener.
I have noticed that I am emotionally unstable
and many a times I cannot control my
emotions. This leads to demerits in my
performance as I get frustrated very soon.
I have also noticed that I over analyse
situations in certain criteria due to which I
implement a lot of time in the activities and
task which are not as important as it seems.

learn things through various visual as well as
audio mediums available for myself.
I lack in certain presentation skills as I have
stage fear due to this even after working on a
project, I cannot present it in front of my
superiors due to which others take credit of my
work.
Opportunities Threats
I can overcome a number of my weaknesses
through training and various skills so that I
can get rid of my stage fear.
The learning skills in May can also be
improved through a various learning attributes
which will help me to progress in my
professional career.
There are a number of limitations which I can
overcome through the help of team orientation
I have in myself. This will help me to
effectively work in a team.
In order to manage my emotions, I can carry
on with meditation and bring in emotional
stability in myself.
The time available for my development in
professional career is very less so I need to
make sure that I accomplish all the task on
time.
There is a lot of competition present in
professional career so I need to make sure that
I am always better than others.
There are a number of persons present who can
sabotage the qualities as well as skills by
demotivating me.
The work pressure I face in my professional
life can lead to demotivation and insufficient
task done by me.
VARK Model
There are different learning styles by which an individual can enhance the learning. In context of
VARK learning style, it is saying that learning styles are important for the individual in order to
provide their best while managing any kind of project. According to this model there are four
types of learners which include visual learners, auditory learners on a reading or writing dollars
and anaesthetic learners. There are different kind of teachers that are providing knowledge while
grabbing knowledge within University. All these have different way of providing knowledge to
students. Hence there are different learning style, learning strength as a learning preferences of

the students (Moss, Gibson, and Dollarhide, 2014). It is important for me to analyse the
learning style which is more effective for me as it is helpful to do the organisational activities in
proper manner in future. The learning styles provided in this model are developed from Kolb's
model and Jungian learning style. There are various learning styles which help in managing the
future aspects of the student properly according to this model given by Fleming, it is concluded
that learners are identified by the way in which visual learning is implemented. There is others
time witches auditory learning that includes lectures, discussions and music. Another way of
learning is through reading and writing. In this type of learning process, this student is managing
the learning style by indulging in reading and writing various articles, reading textbook and
making notes for managing the work in proper manner. The VARK model is used for
identifying which type of learner the person is and this is defined as self report inventory which
includes different situations.. this can be explained with an example that if a person is learning
the way for performing physical skill like dancing for driving a car, that person will evaluate
different aspects of doing these activities. Also, the student can watch videos and helpful
documentaries that will help to know what are the different tactics and strategies used while
performing these activities properly (Olsen, 2015). Hence, is very essential for the person to
analyse what type of learner the person is. When the individual is more interested in looking for
pictures he is said to be visual learner. On the other hand, if the person is listening to seniors
and experts, he will be said to be auditory learner. If the person is reading about the
accomplishment of task the person is a reading or writing learner. If a student is watching
someone else to perform the activity.
The different type of learners are mentioned below –
 Visual learners - these are defined as the individuals who learn thanks by seeing them.
This type of learners have to use graphic display like handouts, videos, illustrations,
diagrams and charts in order to maintain their II learning. It is important to analyse the
information and data related to the concept and issues by watching any video or movie
related to the topic. The will enhance knowledge of the individual by using the video. It is
important for the individual to have useful outcomes to be analysed by the use of visual
learning style.
Aural learners - the auditory learners are the individuals who listen to class lectures and they
increased their knowledge regarding any topic or issue (Prosek, and Hurt, 2014). This type of

learners tend to have great deal out of Steel lectures and these individuals are good at
remembering things. The auditory learners are involved in reading text books for increasing
knowledge regarding any topic or issue. Such kind of individuals provide more time in hearing
and listening to expertise for gaining knowledge about topic and issue.
 Reading and writing learners - this type of individuals use both the forms for increasing
their knowledge which includes reading and writing. These individuals are involved in
reading text books and increasing the information and knowledge is there having related
to the topic. Such individuals also uses class lecture notes and reading definitions and
making PowerPoint presentations about the topic for enhancing the knowledge.
 Kinesthetic learners - this type of learners are involved in learning the different topics and
issues bye touching. This type of learning process requires to have an aesthetic learning
style. Required to have proper experience for learning any topic or issue.
Reflect on your personal and professional development to identify the transferable/
employability skills you have developed over the duration of the course. Consider how the
development of these skills will enable you to be successful on the course and within the
workplace.
The Gibbs reflective cycle was given by Graham Gibbs in the year 1988. This is a reflective
cycle model which is used by individuals to think in a systematic manner about different
situations and analysing them properly to enhance skills and abilities. There are different
experience and activities which are managed by the people in order to have proper learning
regarding self analysis. This is a six step model which provides the ability for identifying
strength and areas for development and proper actions are taken for improving the professional
skills. Starting three steps are related to what has happened while taking the classes and
experience (Ramia, and et. al., 2016). On the other hand, others steps provide information about
how to improve the experience and manage the future outcomes. it is very essential for the
person to analyse skills properly so that all work is done properly and there are ways for
analysing the areas in which there is need of improvement.
 Step 1 description - the individual is describing all the experience and events which are
performed at the University and what are the new skills and abilities that are developed
within the person. It is important for the individual to manage the skilfull opportunities as
in this stage, there are various ways for grabbing experience and knowledge.

 Step 2. Feelings - these are known as the step pictures related to the way in which a
person thinks about any experience or any issue. While attending the University lectures,
there are different experiences which are managed by the person which have improved
the way of thinking and have developed new abilities for solving the theories. This has
developed good feeling among the individual and have help in managing the future work
in proper manner.
 Step 3 Evaluation - this is related to the evaluation which refers to you having both
negative as well as positive aspect of the individual's experience. There are different key
factors and elements which are useful for managing the skills and abilities of an
individual. This is taken care that all the work of the person is properly managed so that
he will learn time management skills. There are other skills like ok analytical skills,
communication skills which are developed by conducting different projects in the
university. It is also analysed that the person starting in b University has various
opportunities and he is able to manage the work in proper manner.
 Step 4 analysis - this is very important for the person to analyse various skills and
develop the areas and improving the way of working in order to manage the woodwork in
future. It is also analysed that there is requirement of continuous development as learning
is a infinite process which has always lead a person to achieve success.
 Step 5 conclusion - from the above discussion, it is analysed that the work and experience
of the person has developed the abilities for conducting the future activities in more
effective manner (van Aalderen‐Smeets. and Walma van der Molen, 2015). This has
helped in in doing great work and maintaining the effectiveness of functioning. It is
helpful for managing the experience of different projects and activities.
Conclusion
From the following report it can be concluded that self-learning and self-development is an
important factor for an individual in order to gain benefits of efficiency as well as effectiveness
in performance of their personal as well as professional life. There are various stages in which an
individual needs to analyse them self and work on various weaknesses and skills which might
lead them to development. The following report also develops critical analysis of personal and

professional development in an individual. There are a number of ways through which an
individual can effectively develop various skills required by them for their personal as well as
professional career which is effectively discussed in this report. It is also necessary to analyse
various factors such as surrounding, society as well as the environment in organisation to enable
effective learning of various skills and development in an individual. There are a number of
positive factors related to self-development as it will help an individual in setting them apart
from rest of their colleagues. It is important for an individual to draw a plan for their personal
and professional development in order to reach their goals and objectives which can be
effectively concluded through the help of this report.

PDP
GOALS ACTIVITIES RESOURCES OBSTACLES SUCCESS
CRITERIA TIME
Time
Management
To increase my
competency in
relation with
time and by this
I can manage
training
sessions in an
appropriate
manner.
Several training
products are
provided where
there are mock
tests given to
employees.
The resources
which I am
having for this is
complex time
management
activities and
time measuring
techniques and
tools.
There are
ineffective
tools for
managing
time.
Better and
effective time
management
and time
related issues
are done
appropriately.
4 weeks s
Ethical
Practice
For improving
my ethical
knowledge
skills and
abilities and for
this I will
conduct various
seminars.
Effective
modules of
ethical practice
Insufficient
improvement
methods
Unbiased
Decision
Making and
Ethical
Judgements 2 Months
Managerial
Abilities
I can attend
various
workshops for
Effective
Training
Inappropriate
Judgement
Better
management
of activities,
16 weeks

analysing every
aspect of
management of
business.
Journals Criteria teams and
complex tasks
Stress
Management
I will
undertake
therapy to
better deal with
my stress to
ensure complex
decision-
making
Stress related
medications and
treatments.
Too much
inclination
towards
medical
treatment.
Complex
problem-
solving and
effective
decision
making .
24 weeks

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Gamrat, C. and et. al., 2014. Personalized workplace learning: An exploratory study on digital
badging within a teacher professional development program. British journal of
educational technology, 45(6), pp.1136-1148.
Hensley, L.G., Smith, S.L. and Thompson, R.W., 2003. Assessing competencies of counselors‐
in‐training: Complexities in evaluating personal and professional
development. Counselor Education and Supervision, 42(3), pp.219-230.
Hunter, A.B., Laursen, S.L. and Seymour, E., 2007. Becoming a scientist: The role of
undergraduate research in students' cognitive, personal, and professional
development. Science education, 91(1), pp.36-74.
Moss, J.M., Gibson, D.M. and Dollarhide, C.T., 2014. Professional identity development: A
grounded theory of transformational tasks of counselors. Journal of Counseling &
Development, 92(1), pp.3-12.
Olsen, B., 2015. Teaching what they learn, learning what they live: How teachers' personal
histories shape their professional development. Routledge.
Prosek, E.A. and Hurt, K.M., 2014. Measuring professional identity development among
counselor trainees. Counselor Education and Supervision, 53(4), pp.284-293.
Ramia, E. and et. al., 2016. Mapping and assessment of personal and professional development
skills in a pharmacy curriculum. BMC medical education, 16(1), p.19.
van Aalderen‐Smeets, S.I. and Walma van der Molen, J.H., 2015. Improving primary teachers’
attitudes toward science by attitude‐focused professional development. Journal of
research in science teaching, 52(5), pp.710-734.
Wilkins, P., 1997. Personal and professional development for counsellors (Vol. 4). Sage.