Reflection on Academic and Professional Skills

This article reflects on the essential academic and practical skills required at the HE level and how to improve them. It also discusses the importance of research and writing skills, presentation skills, and career interests.

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Student’s Name
Course
Professor’s Name
University
(City) State
Date

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Task 1: Skills required at the HE level
According to the Oxford Royal Academy (2018), a student at the HE level requires some
essential academic and practical skills in order to thrive well in the learning environment.
Predominantly, these skills comprise of good written English skills, essay writing skills, reading
skills, note-taking, research skills, independent learning, and presentation skills (University of
Nebraska, 2018). It is important for a student to have a strong grasp of the English language in
order to express oneself articulately in a number of spoken and written contexts. As such, a
student is required to write essays, examinations and dissertations in English.
At the moment, I do not possess the perfect written English skill, but I purpose to
improve on the same. Mainly, this is because academia is concerned about being able to argue a
point and to do that, one must possess the appropriate language skills and vocabulary that is
suitable at the HE level (Watanabe, 2016). Therefore, to improve on this skill, I will do more
practice in English and learn vocabularies in the language to help me gain a grasp of the skill. In
turn, this will help me to improve my written English skills.
In addition, a student should be able to write good essays which also require good written
English skills as well as other qualities such as persuasiveness and clarity of thinking. Currently,
my essay writing skills are a bit low for the HE requirements and, for this reason I am working
towards improving the skill (University of Leicester, 2018). To improve my writing skills, I will
write regularly on different topics and subject areas in order to grasp the skill and develop quality
and confidence.

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Another vital skill is reading, which requires a student to be able to read a large volume
of academic material throughout their university life. At the moment, I believe that my reading
skills are perfect as I can read at a standard speed rate. Note-taking is also an essential skill at the
HE level. This skill is very important during lectures as one must be able to note down the most
important points from the professor in class. Furthermore, the skill comes in handy when
conducting independent research in the library as one must be able to summarize a vast amount
of information. Notably, my note taking skills are good as I have had a chance to improve on it
in class during lectures. I am also able to summarize a large amount of information into small but
very informative formats.
Independent learning and research skills are also critical at the HE level. For now, my
research skills require a little bit more polishing and there is room for improvement. Therefore,
to improve on this skill, I will consult with other students who have good research skills as well
as use credible academic resources when doing my class assignments. Additionally, I will
endeavor to consult as many academic sources as possible while doing my studies. Lastly,
presentation skills are important and each student must be able to create an impressive
presentation in power point and present the same in class. According to the feedback obtained,
my presentation skills are okay, but requires more polishing.
Task 2: Reflection on research and writing skills
As noted earlier, research and writing skills are very critical in a student’s academic
journey at the Higher Education level. Mainly, one can attribute this to the fact that academia
involves to a large extent writing essays, reports and dissertations which require the student to
have a good grasp of writing and research skills (Escorcia, 2014). According to the feedback

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obtained from my professor, my writing and research capabilities are okay but could use a little
bit more practice and improvement. Thus, I will take into consideration all the comments and
feedback obtained and correct on the highlighted areas.
To begin with, I have learnt the importance of having a good introduction of an essay.
Having a good start in the essay helps the writer to capture the attention of the reader and grow
their interest in reading one’s work. The level of attention given by a reader to one’s work is
directly proportional to how captivating the introduction of the paper is in their opinion (Klems,
2011). Additionally, I have discovered that a good introduction provides the reader with a good
background of the issues being discussed in the essay or report and describes the purposes and
aims of writing the essay. It also provides a brief explanation of the technical terms used in the
paper, with the view of helping the audience understand the information contained in the report
better. Thus, I will endeavor to incorporate all these elements when preparing the introduction
section of my essays and research report.
In addition, I have found out the importance of using credible sources when conducting
academic research. These credible sources include academic text books, journal articles, and
websites by professional bodies and professional publications. By and large, I will strive to use
these sources when writing my essays and reports in the classroom. Using such sources will go a
long way in improving and enhancing the reliability and credibility of my academic work and, in
turn will significantly improve my performance in class. In addition, it will help in improving the
quality of my academic papers which then will have a positive impact on the overall grade
awarded to me by my professors.

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What’s more, I have discovered the importance of proving proper referencing for the
sources used in the essays or reports. It is important to properly reference the works of other
authors used in writing the essay. Correct referencing not only helps in improving the authority
and reliability of the information provided in one’s work, but also helps the student in avoiding
cases of plagiarism which is a serious academic offense. Proper referencing also improves the
authenticity of the paper and increase the confidence of the users on the information provided in
my papers. It is, therefore, for this reason, I have learnt the importance of giving credit for the
works of other authors that I have incorporated and borrowed from when writing my academic
papers.
Also, I have learnt that it is essential to ensure that there is cohesiveness and integration
of the ideas used in the essay. As such, it is important to show how the ideas flow from one
paragraph to another while showing the relationship that exists between the previous paragraph
and the subsequent paragraph. Showing a clear relationship between the paragraphs allow for a
smooth development of ideas in the essay as well as allow the audience to gain as much
information about the subject as possible. Indeed, being able to incorporate these ideas in my
research and writing will go a long way in improving the quality of my academic papers at the
HE level, and may also improve my overall performance.
Task 3: Reflection on presentation skills
It is also important to note that presentation skills are very essential and every student at
the HE level should possess them. From the feedback obtained, I have been made aware of the
fact that my presentation skills are above average, and can be improved (Khoury, 2018). It
should be noted that a good presentation is informative and has clarity in its ideas (Khoury,

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2018). It is also creative and interactive with the audience while provide concise information on
the subject matter being discussed. Nonetheless, there is always room for improvement and
advancement, and I seek to further develop and enhance my presentation skills.
Currently, my presentation skills allow me to discuss the subject matter clearly but there
is still room for improvement and development of scope. I have good research skill and can
provide a rich content on the subject matter. Moreover, I am confident and maintained eye
contact with audience. I am also able to come up with an informative piece that culminates in
sound conclusions. It is also commendable that I did my preparation well for the presentation as I
did not rely on the notes to explain the points. The feedback also indicates that the level of my
creativity is average. Nonetheless, I have a good interaction mechanism with the audience as I
allow for comments and questions within the presentation as well as encourage their
participation.
As noted earlier, there is always room for improvement. Thus, I will work towards
improving and enhancing my presentation skills. Firstly, I will always introduce myself to the
audience at the beginning of the presentation so that they get to know me before delving into the
details of the PowerPoint. Additionally, I will always greet the audience with the appropriate
salutation to create a lively and interactive environment for me and my audience. In turn, this
livens the mood of both the presenter and the listeners. I will also strive to exhibit great
confidence from the beginning of the presentation all the way to the conclusion of the
presentation. In turn, this would also boost the confidence of the audience in the information that
I deliver during the presentation.

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Moreover, I will focus on improving my presentation by professionally structuring the
slides. As such, I will organize my slides in order of importance from the title slide, outline slide
all the way to the conclusion slide. A proper order and flow of slides will allow me to explain the
ideas in the topic in a smooth manner than flows in a logic manner. The logical flow of the ideas
will then improve the clarity of the information while allowing the audience to digest the
information provided one at a time. In addition, such an order will ensure that I cover all
important topics and no area will remain uncovered. Consequently, this will improve the
understandability of the information being presented.
Most importantly, I have learnt the value of providing a comprehensive conclusion at the
end of the presentation. A good conclusion provides the audience with a summary of the
information discussed in the presentation. In turn, it reminds the listeners of the strengths of the
arguments presented and reiterates the most important information that supports the subject
under discussion (USC Libraries, 2018). It also provides me with the opportunity to impress my
audience one last time before leaving the stage. Indeed, inculcating all these ideas in my
presentation will significantly improve the quality of my presentation as well as improve my
presentation skills.
Task 4: Reflection on career interests
It is imperative to point out the fact that career sessions, both in-class and post sessions
have been an important part of my learning experience at the university. These career sessions
have been helpful to me as they provide a practical way of devising and advancing one’s career
path while still in school. As such, the sessions are usually so unique and in-depth and provide
me with all the resources that I will need to successfully transition from my academic to

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professional life once the time comes. Notably, the career sessions have been essential to my
development because they provide me with the indiscriminate support that I need when
considering for factors such as choosing a graduate school while at the same time help me find
relevant internship opportunities along the way.
These sessions are also a critical learning experience for me since they cover topics that
are usually not covered in other areas of academic learning. They provide a platform for me to
obtain useful career advice through the indiscriminate support. It is my belief that the career
guidance that I obtain from the career sessions will help steer me in the right direction when it
comes to selecting elective subjects and volunteer opportunities which will combine to further
propel me to the head of the applicant pool in the future. Most importantly, these sessions are
very helpful because they provide me with the opportunity to network with many people in my
chosen field of study. In turn, this will come in handy when I am looking for a job after my
undergraduate program at the institution.
It is also fundamental to highlight the fact that the in-class and post-session career
sessions have played a major role in helping me develop a strong interest in my field of study.
Before the sessions began, I did not have any career interest and was very confused about which
field I should major in. However, after a few career sessions, I started developing a deep interest
in [Insert your major course]. I began doing extensive research on the field, and researching on
the main skills and requirements that are needed to be successful in that area. I have also done a
lot of research on potential employers and the capabilities that they seek from their employees.
Having knowledge on these factors has helped me try and equip myself with the skills by
continuously advancing myself. Thus, the career sessions have been an important tool in creating

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career interest in me as well as in helping me develop the skills that my area of specialization
requires.
To add on the above factors, the career sessions have provided me with the resources and
inspiration that I needed to jump start my learning and career development from an early stage.
From the time I joined the campus, the sessions provided me with the platform to build my
career knowledge and increase my employability prospects (Dennis, 2015). It has also equipped
me with the essential resume writing skills and interview skills that are usually not taught in
academia. Resumes are the first impressions that the applicant makes to a prospective employer
and should be of impeccable standard in order to stand out from the rest. Thus, the CV writing
skills obtained so far will go a long way in helping me impress future employers and entice them
to invite me for an interview (The University of Adelaide, 2018). The way an individual presents
themselves in an interview determines whether or not they get the job. In the regard, the
university, through the career session has provided me with the opportunity to obtain and
develop critical interview techniques that will impress the recruitment panel into hiring me.
Task 5: Reflection on the professional skills module
In order for a graduate to thrive in the current labour market, he or she must possess
certain professional skills. Over the years, employers have been keen on isolating certain key
competencies and skills that they require from candidates applying for jobs in their firms
(University of Nebraska, 2018). In turn, individuals that possess these capabilities gain an upper
hand and have a higher chance of being selected as the right fit for the job. Primarily, these
professional skills comprise of leadership, personal effectiveness, teamwork, communication and
interpersonal skills, commercial awareness, problem solving capabilities and innovation and

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skepticism. For this reason, the professional skills module provided by the school provides me
with the opportunity to improve on these competencies and increase my employability upon
completion of my course at the institution.
By and large, the professional skills module acts as an important tool for me to learn
about the expectations of the employment market while at the same time shaping and developing
in me a spectrum of advanced ethical and professional skills (ACCA Global, 2018). In addition,
it exposes me to realistic business situations which then inculcates and nurtures the level of
thinking to one that is advanced and ready for employment (Princeton University, 2018). It is,
therefore my intention to take maximum advantage of the support provided by the module to
help develop these competencies further.
So far, I have been able to learn the importance of professionalism from the module. In
order to succeed in any field, it is essential for one to be professional. Being professional requires
more than having the specialized knowledge to perform the tasks of the job. It also requires one
to be time conscious and active, be honest and have integrity, honor the commitments of the job
and be accountable for one’s words and actions. What’s more, it requires one to exhibit a high
level of emotional intelligence by communicating clearly, listening actively to others, and also
understand the emotional need of others. Indeed, knowing this information has significantly
impacted my life and my interaction with others. Nowadays, I take a keen interest in actively
listening to what other people say. In addition, I have improved my communication techniques
and time keeping skills.
Through the module, I am now aware of those professional skills and career
competencies that are often not taught in the coursework. For instance, I am in the process of

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developing my leadership and mentoring skills. Today, I am a group leader of two academic
groups and this has provided me with an opportunity to practice and enhance my leadership
capabilities. I believe that such an opportunity, however small, will go a long way in shaping me
as a great leader in future. I have also been able to learn other value-added skills such as
collaboration and teamwork, negotiation and conflict management. As noted, I am a leader for
two groups. Working as a team has allowed me to gain and appreciate cohesiveness and
teamwork among members of the group. In addition, I have been able to solve disputes arising
among members of the team while encouraging for peaceful coexistence within the team.
Conclusion
Having considered all these factors, it is worth to point out that the engagement and
opportunities offered by the professional skills module are numerous. Both the in-class sessions
and post-class sessions have the effect of equipping me with the fundamental capabilities and
competencies that modern employers seek in graduates. I believe that by the end of my course at
the university, I would have honed a majority of the skills that top employers admire in their
applicants. This would then give me an upper hand over other graduates who lack these essential
capabilities. Indeed, the benefits arising from the professional skills module cannot be
downplayed.

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Reference List
ACCA Global. (2018). Ethics and Professional Skills module. [online] Available at:
http://future.accaglobal.com/changes-to-the-qualification/what-do-the-changes-mean-for-me/
ethics-and-professional-skills-module [Accessed 09 Dec. 2018].
Dennis, M. (2015). Universities have a key role to play in career counseling. [online] University
World News. Available at: http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?
story=20150108180105492 [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018].
Escorcia, D. (2016). Teaching and assessing writing skills at university level: a comparison of
practices in French and Colombian universities. Educational Research, 57(3), pp.254-260.
Klems, B. A. (2011). How to Improve Your Researching Skills and Write Accurately. [online]
Writers Digest. Available at: https://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/how-to-improve-your-
researching-skills-and-write-accurately [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018].
Oxford Royale Academy. (2014). Essential Skills for Undergraduate Life: the 13 Things You
Should Know How to Do Before You Go to University. [online] Available at:
https://www.oxford-royale.co.uk/articles/13-skills-university.html [Accessed 09 Dec. 2018].
Princeton Univeristy. (2018). The Career Development Process. [online] Available at:
https://careerservices.princeton.edu/parents/career-development-process [Accessed 09 Dec.
2018].

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The University of Adelaide. (2018). Advice and Career Planning. [online] Available at:
https://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/careers/students/advice/ [Accessed 10 Dec].
Univeristy of Nebraska. (2018). Professional skills. [online] Available at:
https://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/current/development/professional-skills-building-your-vita-0
[Accessed 09 Dec. 2018].
University of Leicester. (2018). Develop Your Writing - Writing Skills and Technique. [online]
Available at: https://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/doctoralcollege/training/eresources/study-
guides/thesis/developing [Accessed 09 Dec. 2018].
USC Libraries. (2018). Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper: 9. The Conclusion.
[online] Available at: http://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/conclusion [Accessed 09 Dec. 2018].
Watanabe, L.C. (2016). 6 Ways To Improve Students’ Academic Writing Skills. [online] Global
Digital Citizen. Available at: https://globaldigitalcitizen.org/6-ways-improve-students-writing-
skills [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018].