Professional Identity and Practice

This report examines the importance of professional identity and development within the context of Thomas Cook Group, a UK-based travel and tourism company. It explores the benefits of professional development plans, analyzes desired skills and competencies, reviews learning theories, and presents a development plan to enhance skills. The report also includes a reflection on a job interview experience and its strengths and weaknesses.

Professional Identity
and Practice
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Table of Contents
INTODUCTION..............................................................................................................................2
Key benefits of ongoing professional development plan for stakeholders in an organisation....3
Skills and competences Desire by employer to perform Job responsibility................................4
Assess skills, abilities and competencies for a particular role.....................................................5
Critical review on learning theories and approaches in professional and personal improvement
.....................................................................................................................................................6
Development plan to enhance competencies and skills...............................................................7
Job interview within Thomas cook group...................................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCE................................................................................................................................12
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INTODUCTION
Professional identity refers to a person who holds a special identity and poses different types
of attributes, experience, believes objects and value in order to accomplish organisation goals
(Bainbridge, 2016). Professional mainly refers as an individual those who perform their work in
an individual manner by utilising on knowledge and skills and further increase production and
profitability of an organisation. Mainly all the organisation hire a professional person who is
efficiently able to protect and understand the changes and further accept them as to gain
advantages from them. In this present report, organisation that has been chosen is Thomas Cook
Group which is a UK based organisation. Company provide travel and tour packages along with
different type of attractive services in order to gain more consumer base. Discussion in this
report has been made on need of a professional person within an organisation and the manner in
which they help up in making business plan. Along with this the report covers ongoing
professional development skills and competencies that are possessed by individuals. In addition
with this importance of professional development and their use for business growth is included in
this report.
Key benefits of ongoing professional development plan for stakeholders in an organisation
Overview about company:
Thomas Cook group is mainly a travelling organisation perform their operation in an
international level. Organisation was founded in the year 2007 by Thomas group company is a
well recognised and one of the popular tourism Industry that offer services along with airline
services in the UK province. Company is listed on London stock of exchange which
differentiates it from other companies. Thomas Cook group manager possess high qualification
along with superior experiences that help them to provide new ideas for companies in order to
attract customers by their services and make them feel good. Manager effectively helps in
determining actual demands of consumers and fulfils them by giving them exquisitely travelling
experience. While on the other hand company offer fresh meals and dinner services along with
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remarkable accommodation that automatically increases consumer loyalty towards company
(Barbour and Lammers, 2015).
Benefits from ongoing professional development:
This procedure include learning of different and new things in a workplace and able to
resolve organisational issues and problems. Professional development plan is mainly a process
that enhances skills and knowledge of a person while they are performing their task (Key benefits
of ongoing professional development. 2019). It holds numerous key benefits which are described
below.
It helps to increase efficiency: Professional development plans effectively improve efficiency of
employees along with increasing their performance level (Woo, Storlie and Baltrinic, 2016). For
example Thomas Cook Group increases their employees’ proficiency by providing effective
training and development programs which help their employees to learn new knowledge and
skills and further develop their competencies to increase organisation productivity.
Provide more energy to Staff: Professional Development Plan helps in increasing internal
satisfaction level of employees. Thomas Cook Group provides different types of training
methods that creates a positive work environment (Weiner and Torres, 2016). It helps in
increasing employee satisfaction level towards job as they feel them self more experienced and
skills to perform that task. Along with this periodic development that are provided by Thomas
group effectively helps in increasing employee’s efficiency and re-energize them towards their
work.
Build confidence level: Professional development training effectively aid employees to feel more
confidence towards their work. Further it helps in building and increases their confidence level
so they respond in a quick manner and make correct decision.
Helpful to make successful plan: Professional Development Plan acts a most effective tool that
helps in making business plan in a successful manner (Brat, 2016). Thomas Cook Group
manager provide effective training to their employees which helps them to make business plan in
a more growth prospective manner. As their employees hold great proficiency and skills with the
help of which they can exchange predetermined targets and objectives of an organisation towards
more successful path.
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Skills and competences Desire by employer to perform Job responsibility
Organisations perform their business with an aim to increase their business expansion base along
with profitability (Walther, Miller and Sochacka, 2017). As to accomplish this manager holds a
major responsibility to recruit and hire highly skilled individuals who have problem solving
skills and help organisation to increase their profitability. For instance Thomas Cook group
effectively focuses on providing professional training to their employees in order to satisfy their
consumers with their services. Company hire competent and skill individuals who you can able
to provide different type of services such as food services, room services amenities and cleaning.
Thomas Cook Group has expectations from their employees as to perform organisation job role-
Willing to learn:
This expectation of an organisation from their employees states that employees are
required to have strong learning skills which helps them to learn new and different skills on
continuous base. For this company provide training and development program with the help of
which they can increase confidence level among their staff in order to increase their productivity
and helps them to make business decisions in better manner (Grubenmann and Meckel, 2017).
Capable to solve problem:
Every organisation have expectations that their employees are that much capable so they
can solve problems and can make better decisions in the changing and evolving business
environment (Teunissen, 2015). Thomas Cook group manager have same Expectations so to
increase business productivity.
Positive and good behaviour:
A positive behaviour of employees effectively influences customers and further helps
organisations to increase their productivity. Positive and good behaviour acts as a most important
skill that is expected by an employer from their employees. For this Thomas Cook group recruit
employees who possess good behaviour and positive attitude so that taken able to provide their
customers with satisfactory services and respond them in a sweet manner. It further helps
company to increase their business reputation in a Marketplace (Tarvydas and Hartley, 2017).
Importance of professional development
Professional development hold great significance for all the organisations as it benefits
them to solve their organisational problems and issues in a more effective and efficient manner.
Employees are one the most effective element of any organisation. Thus, it is important for
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companies to make them qualified and skilled with the help of which they can take decisions in
an effective manner in order to solve problems and issues within workplace. Moreover with the
help of learning process they can able to learn and acquire new knowledge and skills which help
them to perform their task in more effective manner. For instance Thomas Cook Group
employees learn different types of issues and problems of customers on their training programs
and learn the manner which helps them to solve their problems. In addition with this, this plan
helps them to accept challenges and overcome them in an effective manner and stipulate
performances in order to increase business growth (Keyko, 2016).
Assess skills, abilities and competencies for a particular role
It is necessary for every individual to acknowledge their skills as well as competencies which are
used for solving business hurdles as well maximise the capacity of learning. Skills are attributes
or qualities which an individual must have to stand out from the crowd (Oliver, 2015). They are
mandatory to have as it will help them to accomplish tasks in desires manner. Competency
reveals that individual is capable to finish the task within stipulated time frame. For this
management as well as employees of Thomas Cook analyse their skills and try to identify
problems by communicating and finding out the solution for same. Like a marketing manager
must be hired who have relevant experience as well as management degree in marketing. The
applicants who have applied for this position needs to access their skills which are necessary for
this job, as this will have strong impact on their profitability. After accessing skills, it is
necessary to show those so that interviewer can know the skills and competency possessed by
individual (Tarvydas and Hartley, 2017).
Skill audit can be used as it is a tool by which employees and employers of Thomas Cook
can access attributes and skills. Furthermore, skill gap can be addressed by this. It will assist
management that which section needs training and enhancement in skills with respect to job
roles. This tool can be used by management for assessment of skills and competency within
Thomas Cook. Skill audit has been shown below:
No. Skills and competency which is
required in organisation
Scores Scores from other
people
1. Communication skills (listening
and speaking )
7 8
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2. Able to make successful plan,
organise and give prioritise job
6 6
3. Competent to attract the customers
and tourists
7 5
4. Problem solving skills and taking
corrective decision.
8 8
5. Interpersonal skills 5 8
Critical review on learning theories and approaches in professional and personal improvement
Thomas Cook has applied different learning theories and approaches which assists them to have
new things and resolve various problems which arises on day to day basis. By making use of
learning theories profitability as well as productivity can be enhanced (Teunissen, 2015). It
comprises of range of approaches and theories like:
Behaviourism: It comprises of new behaviour and alterations which responds speedily. It
is believed that knowledge exists independently and learning will be obtained by an organisation.
Like Thomas Cook is planning further to make use of new technology which will assist to attract
more number of customers. For adoption of new technologies the ways employees responded is
taken into consideration. It assists them to accept challenges (Walther, Miller and Sochacka,
2017).
Cognitive: This theory is dependent on process behind behaviour. It assists them to learn
as well as receive immediate response. In this theory management observe what is going on
learner’s mind. Within Thomas Cook group employees make use of learning theories to analyse
the different aspects.
Social learning: In this behaviour of people is observed by management of Thomas
Cook. Like employees observe behaviour of managers and try to learn from their behaviour in
different situations and apply them to make decisions (Weiner and Torres, 2016).
From above mentioned theories, it has been observed that it is essential as it assists
employees to gain knowledge with respect to different aspects and formulate the solutions by
different ways. Thomas Cook has adopted for social learning as well as behaviourism approach
to posses new skills by observing behaviour of people. Employees gain guidance in terms of
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gaining knowledge with respect to ways in which they react in critical situations by which they
can accept new technologies.
Development plan to enhance competencies and skills.
The process of leading the business by deciphering the problems and expansion of business
activities within market is known as development plan (Woo, Storlie and Baltrinic, 2016). This
plan is formulated by the management of organisation so that they can attain organisational goals
as well as objectives. This plan acts as a road map for a business as by its usage they can develop
their business. Apart from this, these tools are used by business to solve conflicts by making use
of skills as well as competencies. The management of Thomas Cook organisation renders
training and development programs to their employees by which assists them to minimise the
conflicts by making use of skills and knowledge which they have gained from these sessions
(Oliver, 2015). The skills which are used to solve the problems are mentioned below with the
assistance of development structure:
Skills Measurable Activities need to
be undertaken
Resources Attainable goals Time
period
Willing to
learn
It is measured
by taking into
consideration
past experience
of organisation
which specifies
the wants of
training.
The management
of Thomas Cook
needs to render
training to their
employees who
willing to learn
new things and
will assist them to
handle different
situations without
any kind of
hindrance.
Organisations
possess adequate
as well as skilled
person who can
assist
management to
resolve different
situations and
they can also
acquire
knowledge from
them.
By giving training
to employees they
can formulate
effective business
decisions with
respect to team they
are working. This
will assist them to
expand their
operations. It will
also aid to enhance
skills as well as
knowledge of staff.
3 Month
Capability
to solve
Manager
identifies the
The organisation
must formulate
Employers
possess high skills
For this manager
can monitor the
Everyday
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problems problems and
find out reasons
behind the
same.
plans which are
concerned
employees. By
this they can
assist them to
enhance their
overall efficiency
and resolve the
conflicts which
arise between
them. For this
also need to have
effective
communication
between
employees as well
as employer.
as well as
competency to
deal with
problems arising
within Thomas
Cook. Moreover,
they need to
ensure that
employees also
possess this
capability by
which they can
handle small
hurdles by
themselves.
performance of
their employees in
terms of ways
through which they
deal with problems.
Affirmativ
e and good
behaviour
Good behaviour
will assist
Thomas Cook to
retain their
employees for
longer duration
of time.
Basically, it can
be identified by
the culture which
prevails within
organisation. This
will assist
employees to
have affirmative
behaviour.
Culture must be
positive rather
than competitive
as it leads to
positive. Healthy
culture means that
behaviour of
employees will be
good towards
management as
well as others.
By having healthy
culture the
behaviour of staff
can be altered, it is
something which
cannot be trained, it
entirely depends on
prevailing
situations.
Daily
basis
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Job interview within Thomas cook group
I have applied for a job within Thomas Cook and I have found that I have possession of
various skills and competency to carry out this job. I have to go through the different questions
which were asked by process manager. They asked me number of questions which were related
with job profile and experience. They also gave different situations and ways in which I will
react to those particular conditions. The interviewer which comprised of manager and different
people of management were amazed by skills and knowledge possessed by me. Apart from this, I
found that internship which I have done assisted me to answer the questions. This made me stand
out of queue. I think that individual need to have enough knowledge about the job profile for
which they have applied. I have acquired ample of knowledge related with this job profile. After
having knowledge about vacancies within Thomas Cook, I started preparing for that by
collecting every minute detail of organisation as well as about job for which they were having
vacancy. By answering their questions in appropriate manner, I was selected as an marketing
manager and also I was appreciated for the skills and knowledge.
Strength and weakness of interview process
While facing the interview procedure, I have evaluated some of my strength along with
weaknesses which is mention below:
Strength Interview effectively benefits to increase those knowledge and skills which
helps in every sector. Along with this it also showcase the manner in which I can smartly answer
all the questions as to impress interviewer with my skills and potential. Thus, interview provides
me a lifetime valuable experience. Furthermore, I also observed that training also benefits me to
pass the Phase of interview in an effective and easy manner.
Weaknesses I have also evaluated some of my weaknesses like basic knowledge in
mathematics which is one of the reasons of losing the opportunity in between interview process.
Sometimes I get panic but with my knowledge I can easily able to provide proper answer.
CONCLUSION
As per the above mentioned report it has been concluded, that professional development
is one of the most essential element which helps an individual to increase their skills and
competencies on a continuous basis. It further helps them complete their objectives and goals in
a stipulated period of time. Professional development also benefits in enhancing knowledge and
skills which helps in expanding business activities. Additional this report covered different type
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of learning theories that can be acquired with a proper training and education. Presented report
also include development plan along with interview process that provides an effective approach
towards business growth as it helps me to access some of my skills and competencies.
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REFERENCE
Books and Journal
Bainbridge, A., 2016. On Becoming an Education Professional: A Psychosocial Exploration of
Developing an Education Professional Practice. Springer.
Barbour, J. B. and Lammers, J. C., 2015. Measuring professional identity: A review of the
literature and a multilevel confirmatory factor analysis of professional identity
constructs. Journal of Professions and Organization. 2(1). pp.38-60.
Brat, M., and et.al., 2016. Promoting professional counselor advocacy through professional
identity development efforts in counselor education. Journal of Counselor Leadership
and Advocacy. 3(1). pp.62-70.
Grubenmann, S. and Meckel, M., 2017. Journalists’ Professional Identity: A resource to cope
with change in the industry?. Journalism Studies. 18(6). pp.732-748.
Keyko, K., and et.al., 2016. Work engagement in professional nursing practice: A systematic
review. International Journal of Nursing Studies. 61. pp.142-164.
Oliver, D. A. V. I. D., 2015. Identity work as a strategic practice. Cambridge handbook of
strategy as practice. 2. pp.331-344.
Tarvydas, V. M. and Hartley, M. T. eds., 2017. The professional practice of rehabilitation
counseling. Springer Publishing Company.
Teunissen, P. W., 2015. Experience, trajectories, and reifications: an emerging framework of
practice-based learning in healthcare workplaces. Advances in Health Sciences
Education. 20(4). pp.843-856.
Walther, J., Miller, S. E. and Sochacka, N. W., 2017. A model of empathy in engineering as a
core skill, practice orientation, and professional way of being. Journal of Engineering
Education. 106(1). pp.123-148.
Weiner, J. M. and Torres, A. C., 2016. Different location or different map? Investigating charter
school teachers' professional identities. Teaching and Teacher Education. 53. pp.75-86.
Woo, H., Storlie, C. A. and Baltrinic, E. R., 2016. Perceptions of professional identity
development from counselor educators in leadership positions. Counselor Education
and Supervision. 55(4). pp.278-293.
Online
Key benefits of ongoing professional development. 2019. [Online].
<https://www.kaplanfinancial.com/resources/pdc/5-benefits-of-professional-development/>
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