Self-Assessment Essay: Becoming a Professional at University

This essay presents a student's self-assessment of their professional development, focusing on two key pieces of evidence: a sales company plan and a notebook selling task. The student analyzes their critical thinking, communication skills, professional judgments, and initiative, reflecting on how these skills were applied and improved. The essay further explores the benefits of self-assessment in enhancing cognitive abilities, particularly in areas such as communication and problem-solving. It also details the development of analytical and problem-solving skills through various exercises and real-life applications. The student outlines both short-term (12 months) and medium-term (2-3 years) goals aimed at academic and professional success, including extracurricular activities, interpersonal skill development, language learning, and preparation for B-school courses. The essay concludes with a focus on internships in advertising and PR to gain relevant experience and build professional contacts.

Running head: BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL
Becoming a Professional
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL
The essay aims to catalogue in a neat and comprehensible manner self assessment based
on two evidence based examples which would enumerate the qualities essential for the self
assessment. It will also include an index of qualities and their advantages that would be
beneficial in the improvement of one’s capabilities helping to achieve the short and medium term
goals. The study will be responsible to assess different skills and advantages in an individual’s
life. With evidence based assessment of the development of skills the reflective self-assessment
journal will be thorough and complete. A list of short as well as medium term goals will also be
briefed to improve academic, career aspiration and different other professional goals.
A.The 2 best pieces of evidence I have gathered. . .
During the report process, I was being given a situation where I had to come up with a
plan regarding a sales company. As a part of that task I had to identify potential customers and
analyze the areas where the density of these customers will be highest. Furthermore, I was also
asked to critically assess the potential obstacles in the way of selling of the product. However, I
performed excellently in outlining the core problems and sketched effective measures that would
help to deal with the issues effectively. I was additionally given the benefit of analyze my critical
thinking skill when I logically analyzed the whole market scenario and ventured on to take
inventive measures. My effective measures also included a slight change in the way they endorse
their product- the logo, the caption and the background color that lacked luster. Therefore
sketching product selling strategies I clarified the nature of the main problem and with the
collected information tried to come up with brainstorming ideas to select the best solution for the
crisis that is, the lack of product selling in certain areas. I helped my team members to implement
the solution keeping in consideration a number of factors like availability of resources like time,
money and number of workers. This showed by research skills which is an important exponent of

2BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL
good professional and professional judgments and initiative. I was able to affluently search the
data, apply strategies and critically analyze them to know the ethical and practical measures.
Therefore, I have realized that I have good professional and professional judgments and
initiative. I carefully constructed strategies that would help me and my team to face potential
risks and scenarios of crisis equipped with ideas and remedies. I also got appreciation from my
team members for my result-oriented ideas and resourcefulness.
During the ongoing of the project, however I met with the chance of reviewing my
effective communication skills. I was confronted with the challenge of selling notebooks to
people in a random market area. To proceed with this task, I had to employ both my imaginative
faculties and communication skills to ensure that the notebook is looking class and better than
ordinary notebooks. Additionally, I had to ensure the other factors like the physical appearance
of the notebook and my convincing skills which will help me in molding their thoughts and
understand the necessity as well as the worth of the product. I designed the cover as well as
chose bright colored notebooks with alluring pictures of comics and celebrity slogans. I played a
part in making them realize the value of a bohemian piece of product in their daily monotonous
life and presented the books in a way that made kept them on a pedestal higher than the ordinary
ones. I arranged the notebooks according to their genres and time period and made the colors
look beautiful by juxtaposing the dull with the vibrant. In this manner I was able to execute my
task of selling the pieces and influencing my team for active collaboration on the same.

3BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL
B. Analysis and reflections about the process of self-assessment that I have undertaken.
Effective Communication skills: The process of self-evaluation helped me to both work on my
weaknesses and improve them for my own benefit. The above two tasks tested my cognitive
skills and polished the understanding of concepts and ideas which resulted in producing positive
results. During the ongoing of the project I was put under circumstances which helped me to
develop my reasons, logical analysis, resourcefulness, innovation and the power to implement
imaginative skills during crucial juncture. Critical thinking has made me work on my
communication which has further increased my performance rate in the academia because it
prompted me to make better usage of my thinking skills for coherent argument. In order to
analyze the development of my communication faculties, I undertook the task of selling
notebooks through comprehending the psychology of the customers buying the particular
product- notebook. One of the many advantages of the self-assessment task is that it helped me
to generate knowledge and made usage of the same in order to develop my meta-cognition skills.
It helped me in developing communication and assessing the psychology of customers, which in
my university life has helped me immensely in debates, where I was helped in constructing
arguments and counterarguments during my academic life. The development of effective
communication skills helped me during my University phrase, to view a problem or hindrance
from different viewpoints as to come up with better solutions. The communication Theory
Framework states that from a Mechanistic view point, communication is at its bare essential, the
transmission of information from first party to second party. With the help of critical thinking,
however, I learnt to follow the thought process of an individual and line of reasoning to establish

4BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL
a better argument. It allowed me to possess a broader spectrum of different viewpoints and
helped me to understand that an argument which is effective in one situation might not be the
same in a different situation.
Professional and Personal Judgments and Initiatives- the nurturing of problem solving skills
during my academia helped me enormously in acquiring a logical and methodical approach to
problems. I implemented the same in my academia by making use of creativity or lateral
thinking. The same helped me ingratiate a number of steps like- identifying the core problem,
defining the problem to come up with a number of solutions, making use of information and data
and examining the options and scrutinizing it carefully, acting on the set of plans after a thorough
examination of its consequence. Developing my analytical skills helped me perform excellently
in mind games, which required a clever handling of crosswords, riddles, chess, bridge etc. The
same helped me immensely in diagnosing problems and evaluating the situation to mold it in my
favor. I was also able to implements by degree knowledge in various practical situations like
field work, extracting customers’ genuine opinions about a product or service and maintain their
confidentiality at the same time. I was also capable of leading my team to increase the sales of
products by a number of measures like knowing in-depth of the demographics of the regions we
are trying to sell, collect data about the customers and their professions.

5BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL
Here are some of the steps required for development of professional and professional judgments
and initiative by developing problem solving and analytical skills in daily life:
Careful Evaluation Of Problems Accumulation Of Information
Identifying The Possible Solutions Break The Problems Into Parts
Picking Up Effective Solution(S) Taking Action
Test And Review Examining The Results
Figure: Professional and Personal Judgments and Initiatives
Source: Author

6BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL
To examine the development of my problem solving skills and abilities I undertook the
task of examining a situation and implementing strategies that would be helpful in increasing the
sale of the product. With the help of my cognitive skills I was to implement brainstorming ideas
that would be instrumental in improving every aspect of the crisis. With the help of collaborative
designs, I was also encouraged to work as a team where I had to consider different perspectives
and their lacks. With the help of mind-mapping I was able to draw connections between a
number of ideas and perspectives. In case of academia, mind-mapping stimulated me to associate
one or more ideas and incorporate them in my projects and assignments. This made me
incorporate within myself a number of qualities like to possess a clear view of what actually is
the problem and the different opportunities situated within a problem. Developing strategies to
increase sales provided me the opportunity to work on spontaneous thinking and generating new
ideas both individually and as a collaborative member of a team.
Problem solving skills initially helped me to develop decision making skills using
analytical and critical skills to come up with positive results. It helped me to become resourceful
the quality which personally helped me a lot in my academia. Resourcefulness helped me to
confront several stress inducing challenges in my academic life and helped me to develop within
myself a number of important qualities. The qualities like positive self-statements which will be
effective to assess how far a particular strategy will be effective in a situation. Furthermore,
problem solving skills helped me to mold myself into a resilient individual and helped me to
imbibe within myself self-stressor. Throughout my university it helped me to maintain a positive
approach even during the worst of times.

7BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL
C. My goals for both short term (12 months) and medium term (2-3 years) that will help me
to attain academic and professional goals.
Be a Part of
Extracurricular
Activities
This will help me to analyze my interests and understand core competencies.
Furthermore these activities will also help me to become more active and
instigates to take faster and efficient decisions in a crucial juncture.
Extracurricular activities will also help me to brush my relationship skills.
Develop Interpersonal
Skills
This would help me to imbibe within myself excellent and consistent
communication skills. The same will also help me in my workplace as
interpersonal skills will help me to work on my behavioral, collaboration and
conflict management skills. With the help of interpersonal skills I will also be
able to brush my creative side which would help me to accept challenges both
inside and outside my academic peripheries.
Learn a Language Learning a language will help to eradicate business barriers as much as
practicable and use it for personal as well as community benefits.
Complete my Courses
on Time
The completion of my course within the stipulated time will help me to
prepare myself for various internships and programs to which I intend to
apply. I believe to become a successful professional internships will benefit
me by shaping me into one. It would also help me to keep a track of my
progress and complete the various. Completing my course on time will also
provide me with a competitive edge and help me to invest my potential in
professional spheres.
Working on Riddles In order to perform excellently in logical reasoning I would like to
concentrate on solving riddles. The same will also help me to improve my
SHORT TERM GOALS

8BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL
cognitive skills and faculties and invest the same in professional life. Since
riddles also improves and nurtures other skills like sustained attention that
will help me to stay focused and calm.
Preparing for B
School Courses
I want to prepare myself for top ranked B schools which would give me a
chance to execute my plans and strategies in real life. B school courses will help
with a platform to showcase my qualities like decision making skills, strategic
thinking and planning abilities, ability to cope with different approaches and
critical thinking abilities.
Internship to Learn
Advertising and PR
This will be helpful in providing me with relevant experiences and provide me
the opportunity to showcase my work on my resume. Internship in y chosen
field will also provide me with experts and contacts of professionals who can
guide me later in my future. An Internship will also help me to learn about the
importance of team work and how can I work with confidence both as a team
and an individual.
MEDIUM TERM GOALS

9BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL
Bibliography List:
Adler, R., Rodman, G.R. and DuPré, A., 2016. Understanding human communication. Oxford
University Press.
Adodo, S.O., 2013. Effect of mind-mapping as a self-regulated learning strategy on students’
achievement in basic science and technology. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 4(6),
p.163.
Boud, D., 2013. Enhancing learning through self-assessment.Routledge.
Bovee, C.L., Thill, J.V. and Raina, R.L., 2016. Business communication today. Pearson
Education India.
Chiu, C.M., Wang, E.T., Fang, Y.H. and Huang, H.Y., 2014. Understanding customers' repeat
purchase intentions in B2C e‐commerce: the roles of utilitarian value, hedonic value and
perceived risk. Information Systems Journal, 24(1), pp.85-114.
Falchikov, N., 2013. Improving assessment through student involvement: Practical solutions for
aiding learning in higher and further education. Routledge.
Fleisher, C.S. and Bensoussan, B.E., 2015. Business and competitive analysis: effective
application of new and classic methods. FT Press.
McPeck, J.E., 2016. Critical thinking and education.Routledge.
Moon, J.A., 2013. Reflection in learning and professional development: Theory and
practice.Routledge.

10BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL
Saleem, A., Ghafar, A., Ibrahim, M., Yousuf, M. and Ahmed, N., 2015. Product perceived
quality and purchase intention with consumer satisfaction. Global Journal of Management And
Business Research.
West, D.C., Ford, J. and Ibrahim, E., 2015. Strategic marketing: creating competitive advantage.
Oxford University Press, USA.
Wilden, A. ed., 2013. System and Structure: Essays in communication and exchange second
edition (Vol. 11). Routledge.
Bamberger, P.A., Biron, M. and Meshoulam, I., 2014. Human resource strategy: Formulation,
implementation, and impact.Routledge.
Garvey, W.D., 2014. Communication: the essence of science: facilitating information exchange
among librarians, scientists, engineers and students. Elsevier.
Hwang, G.J., Kuo, F.R., Chen, N.S. and Ho, H.J., 2014. Effects of an integrated concept
mapping and web-based problem-solving approach on students' learning achievements,
perceptions and cognitive loads. Computers & Education, 71, pp.77-86.
Wheelen, T.L. and Hunger, J.D., 2017. Strategic management and business policy.pearson