Professional Development Activities: Purpose, Advantages and Disadvantages

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Business Communication

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Table of Contents
Professional Development Activities.........................................................................................3
Purpose and Advantages........................................................................................................3
Disadvantages........................................................................................................................4
Cost of training...................................................................................................................4
Cost of decreased productivity...........................................................................................4
Staff seeking new employment..........................................................................................4
Uncertainty.........................................................................................................................5
Multiple solutions...............................................................................................................5
Beneficial activities............................................................................................................5
Flexibility...........................................................................................................................5
Reference List............................................................................................................................7

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Professional Development Activities
The activities that usually contribute in the professional development of an individual which
leads to the accomplishment and enhancement of the knowledge and skills that is needed for
independent practice by an individual, are known as professional development activities
(Desimone, 2011). Some of the examples of the professional development activities are
teacher-oriented activities, business and management activities, leadership and supervisory
activities, in-service activities sponsored by the employers, education continuation activities,
college course work, etc.
I would take part in the professional development activity of expanding accountabilities.
Here, the activities that would be undertaken are, expansion of my job content for including a
greater variety of tasks, risk taking opportunities and a greater sense of authority and
responsibility. Such an activity would help me in ensuring that different levels of
responsibilities and types of tasks are needed for the same tasks. It would also help in
monitoring and reviewing the progress of other staff members.
Purpose and Advantages
Professional development activities are activities of learning and development that are related
to work which should essentially continue throughout the career of an individual. A wide
range of professional development options are covered by these activities. These activities
involve indulgence into activities such as participating in short term courses which help in
enhancing or adding to the skills of an individuals. Activities like courses related to work and
attending conferences are included. Informal professional development includes learning of
new skills and competence on the job and getting mentored and supervised by someone who
has more experience in the same field (Richter, Kunter, Klusmann, Lüdtke and Baumert,
2011). Informal professional development can also sometimes take the place of an individual
away from the workplace. For instance, when leadership is learnt by professionals by the
means of volunteering in local communities is an informal professional development activity.
When a new young professional or a fresh graduate is in the early stages of his career, he is
presented with an opportunity of setting his course and driving his own professional
development instead of allowing it to be imposed on him by others. When such an individual
needs to take control of his own professional development, he would be positioned for
ensuring that they are satisfied personally and the requirements of professional registration
are met easily and it also helps the individual in contributing towards standing of his