Enhancing Work-Based Experience for Personal and Professional Growth

The assignment content is about improving various skills through work-based experience, including decision making and interpersonal skills. The author also discusses how regular feedback from a supervisor can enhance their experience. Additionally, the importance of prior work experience for individuals to gain job opportunities and deliver high-quality services in the future is highlighted.

WEB BASED EXPERIENCE

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Researching the industry which can give industry experience.........................................1
1.2 Negotiate with the Manchester college tutor and the business supervisor.......................1
1.3 Recognizing the business constraints on the experience offered.....................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................2
2.1 Prioritizing the responsibilities which are involved in work experience.........................2
2.2 Producing the plan for the work based experience...........................................................3
2.3 Benefits of proposed activities to learner and SSC..........................................................4
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................4
3.1 Fulfilling the placement requirement and complying with the code of practices............4
3.2 Maintaining the systematic record of work undertaken...................................................4
3.3 Revising the above plan....................................................................................................5
3.4 Making suggestions for the improvement........................................................................5
4.1 Monitoring the progress against the original proposal.....................................................5
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................6
4.2 Evaluating the quality of own performance.....................................................................6
4.3 Learning taken place during the experience.....................................................................6
4.4 Making recommendation of how experience can be enhanced........................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Work based experience is a paid or unpaid opportunity which allows individual to get the
experience of different types of jobs or works (Work based experience, 2016). The given process
has its importance in today's working scenario. This is because through this way, people can
perform significant improvements in their employability skills. I am pursuing my degree in IT
field and therefore, I would like to gain the experience of respective field by working in the
position of software developer. The present report will depict the ways which an individual can
use with an aim to negotiate with a person in order to get industry experience.
TASK 1
1.1 Researching the industry which can give industry experience
I have researched on an effective UK based IT firm that enhanced my experience in
context of respective industry. In order to do the same, I have taken help from different
secondary data sources. Through using different secondary sources, I have gathered information
about different IT firms situated in the UK. However, among different researched firms, I believe
that SCC (Specialist computer centre) is the most suitable company for getting IT based work
experience in relation to the post of software developer. From the conducted research, I have
identified that working environment of SCC is very cooperative. This environment will be very
beneficial for me (Zeng and et.al., 2014). This is because by working in such environment, I can
resolve all my doubts with respect to the work which is being done by the software developers of
the company. In addition to this, training module of company is also effective as it gives
opportunity to the interns with regard to improve different types of software development related
knowledge and skills.
1.2 Negotiate with the Manchester college tutor and the business supervisor
In order to get placement in the respective firm, I will have to negotiate with Manchester
college tutor and supervisor of the SSC. With an aim to do the same, I will use different
negotiation methods and techniques. For example, for the purpose to influence the Manchester
college tutor for giving permission to get placed in the respective company, I will give detailed
information about the company to him (Lange, 2014). In addition to this, I will also tell him
about the opportunities which are prevailing within the company. Through this way only, I will
negotiate with the Manchester college tutor.
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However, I will use some different techniques of negotiation with an aim to negotiate
with the supervisor of SSC. Here, I will assure him that during the period of my training within
company, I will not create any kind of disturbance in their routine activities. Moreover, I will
also tell the supervisor that I will not reveal any personal or confidential information about the
organisation to any third person or its competitor. In addition to this, I will also make sure that I
will perform my assigned duty in an effective manner.
1.3 Recognizing the business constraints on the experience offered
By getting placement in the given company, it is expected that I will learn all the
techniques of preparing software for the client of SSC. In addition to this, I also want to learn the
ways through which software systems are designed and tested. Hence, the main aim behind
getting placement in SSC Company is to get full-fledged information regarding the work which
is being performed by its software developers (Ro and Choi, 2011).
In this context, there are number of business constraints identified which can create
problem in the task of getting work experience from the cited company. Among all, one of the
biggest problems can be related with heavy workload on my trainer. In this circumstance, it will
become difficult for my trainer with respect to provide high quality training to me. Hence, in the
respective situation, my all doubts related with software developer position will remain unsettled.
Hence, I will not be able to direct my efforts in terms of getting an effective experience of the
respective job. Furthermore, another constraint will be related with lack of sufficient time with
the supervisor. In this condition also, I cannot receive full attention from the side of SSC
supervisor. Thus, these hurdles may create problem in the task of getting proper work
experience.
TASK 2
2.1 Prioritizing the responsibilities which are involved in work experience
There are number of roles and responsibilities that need to be fulfilled by the software
developers of cited company. Hence, I am interested to learn all the responsibilities which are
being fulfilled by the software developer of SSC. Here, I will try to learn some tasks on daily
basis, however some are not. In this context, I will segregate responsibilities of SSC software
developer on routine and non-routine basis. For example, the main responsibility of software
developers is to analyze the user requirement, test the system programs, and write the code along
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with installing and maintaining the software system. I will perform all these things on routine
basis. However, other tasks such as reviewing the current system and preparing the training
module for the users will be performed by me on non-routine basis (Gruenewald and Smith,
2014).
Being a learner, my first priority will be to learn and improve the knowledge and skills
with regard to the work which is being performed by the software developer. However, it is
priority of SSC that it should resolve all the doubts of trainees and make sure that he or she is
gaining an immense experience of specific work.
2.2 Producing the plan for the work based experience
With an aim to get the experience of work which is being done by the software developer
of company, I have prepared an effective plan. I will use the given plan with an aim to schedule
the work of my whole training in an effective way.
 At first, I will gather system requirement of my company's clients. 4 weeks’ time will be
needed with an aim to learn the given task.
 On the basis of requirement, I will prepare a design for the system. This task will be
learned by me within 5 weeks.
 Finally, I will implement the developed design. Here, 2 weeks’ time will be needed with
an aim to assess the way of implementing the developed software programs within the
company.
 Later on, I will perform changes in the developed design in accordance with my customer
feedback.
Task /
Duration in
week
1
W
ee
k
2
Week
3
Week
4
Week 5 week 6 week 7 week 8week 9 week 10
week
11
week
12
week
At first, I
will gather
system
requirement
of my
company's
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clients.
On the basis
of
requirement,
I will
prepare a
design for
the system.
Finally, I
will
implement
the
developed
design.
Later on, I
will perform
changes in
the
developed
design in
accordance
with my
customer
feedback.
Hence, I will follow the respective steps with an aim to learn the work which is being
carried out by the software developer of cited company. In order to meet the above mentioned
actions, I will read different software development books. Besides this, there are some things
which are expected by the supervisor of cited company. Here, supervisor of SSC will expect
from me that I will be able to design an effective software for the company by following the
framed plan (Bakker, Demerouti and ten Brummelhuis, 2012).
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In addition to this, I will meet with my tutor after completion of each software
development phase.
2.3 Benefits of proposed activities to learner and SSC
Activity of getting IT based work experience within firm will lead to provide benefit to
both the learner and SSC Company. Firm such as SSC can get benefit in the form of assessing
the effectiveness of software development steps which are being followed by it. For example,
individual who is getting work experience from the company has given feedback that software
development phase which is followed by company is incomplete and requires some more
modifications (Beckett and Hager, 2013). Then, by working as per the given feedback, SSC
organization can get benefits in form of increased profits and sales.
Besides this, being a learner within the company, I will also gain number of benefits.
Here, I can improve my skills regarding the ways of developing the design and software of
company. Here, experience which I will gain while getting training in the respective firm will
assist me in my future employment. Hence, given placement will be proved as beneficial for both
the learner and firm.
TASK 3
3.1 Fulfilling the placement requirement and complying with the code of practices
While getting work based experience within the selected IT firm, I will make sure that I
should comply with all the placement related code of practices. In accordance with the given
context, placement code of practices state that an individual who is getting training within the
firm must not reveal the confidential information of company to third person. I will comply with
the given rule and make sure that I will not give important information of the company to any
person (Farndale, Scullion and Sparrow, 2010). In addition to this, placement practices also
depict that I should follow all the ethical practices which are being followed by SSC. I will
surely perform the same and thus, in order to get the information about the ethical practices
which are being followed by the cited company, I will read the module of organization which
will provide thorough information about the SSC in an effective way.
In addition to this, the code of practices which is being followed by SSC entails that the
system, network and the information should be designed by the firm as per the needs and
requirements of the client. Furthermore, while developing the software an individual should
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choose an appropriate software development life cycle. This is because, it is through this way
only standard which are being framed by SSC company regarding the product which it delivers
to the buyers will be met.
3.2 Maintaining the systematic record of work undertaken
I have systematically maintained the record of work which is being given to me while
getting training within SSC. At the first day of my training, task of analysis was given to me
wherein I had to analyze the system requirement of company. Here, my supervisor had suggested
me various steps which are being followed by it for the purpose to analyze the requirement of
system (Gruenewald and Smith, 2014). Here, I have maintained the record of same in my diary.
In addition to this, in the second day of my training, information about the ways of designing and
implementing the computer program was given to me. Here, with an aim to maintain the record
of same, I have used spreadsheet. It is very beneficial for me with regard to maintain the record
of things or tasks which I have learned while getting training within the company. This is
because, by using the respective document, I can again get the knowledge of things which I have
forgotten. Furthermore, it is by complying with the given type of practices only I have performed
number of changes in my task. For example, during the training I have learned a very different
way of designing the software. But, on putting on to the actual work I have learned some other
ways too. Thus, it is through this way only I have performed changes in my skill.
3.3 Revising the above plan
I have again revised my plan which I have prepared while getting the experience of work
which is related with the software development post. Plan which I have framed above possesses
systematic steps which I can use with an aim to learn the skills of developing software for the
company. First three steps of my plan were effective, but still I felt that some more steps are
necessary to be added in the respective plan. For example, I should get feedback from the client
after testing of developed system. Through this way, SSC Company can assess that whether it is
going on a right direction or not in terms of product development. Here, with an aim to review
the given step, around 6 weeks’ time will be needed. Thus, this is the only thing which I will
require in my revised plan.
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3.4 Making suggestions for the improvement
There are number of suggestions given by me to the supervisor of SSC on the basis of
revised plan. For example, it is recommended to the supervisor of SSC that it should involve
feedback step after testing phase of software development. Through this way, effectiveness of
the developed software can be assessed (Morris and Blaney, 2010). In addition to this, by
complying with the given type of activity only, corporation can deliver high quality of services to
the buyers in an effective way. Thus, it can gain benefits in form of increased profits and sales.
4.1 Monitoring the progress against the original proposal
I have monitored my own progress against the original proposal. Here, plan which I have
framed above will be considered as an original proposal. Here, with an aim to monitor my own
performance, I have taken help from the technique in which I have carried out comparison
between my before and after training program performance. In this regard, I have realized that
there are lots of improvement needed in the task of designing software for the company. Now, I
can direct my efforts in terms of designing software as per the requirement of the customers of
SSC. In addition to this, earlier to the given training program, I had theoretical knowledge
regarding the ways to test the developed software. But, given thing has also improved after
performing training program. Here, now I have practical information regarding the way to test
the developed program. These all things I have learned because of the given training program.
Furthermore, on the basis of above framed Gantt chart I have successfully completed the first
and second step and hence now I am in the position with regard to make the implementation of
the prepared design. The given thing indicates that I am working well towards the right path.
TASK 4
4.2 Evaluating the quality of own performance
I have evaluated the quality of my own performance. By getting training program within
SSC, I have realized that now I am able to direct my efforts in terms of developing an
appropriate software for the company. Here, I believe that now I can fulfill all the roles and
responsibilities associated with the software developer post in an effectual manner. But, it is to
be critically evaluated that I still believe that I should work upon my software testing skill (Ro
and Choi, 2011). Although I have enough knowledge of the same, but still want to learn about
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the given approach in more detailed way. In addition to this, I also believed that I should also
work upon the ways to implement the prepared software.
4.3 Learning taken place during the experience
By performing various roles and responsibilities associated with the software
development post within the company, I have learned number of skills. For example, I have
learned the ways to communicate with other individual. In addition to this, I have also improved
my negotiation skill. Here, with the help of given skill only, I have got opportunity with respect
to get placement within the UK based IT company. In addition to this, I have also learned the
way to work in a team. Overall, it can be said that the whole work based experience has helped
me in terms of improving my various skills in an effectual manner. Besides this, I have also
found out number of improvements in my other skills too. Here, I have performed significant
improvement in my decision making skill. Herein, now I am able to take more effective decision.
Furthermore, I have also found out improvement in my interpersonal skill. These improvement
well help me in the future.
4.4 Making recommendation of how experience can be enhanced
Experience which I have gained while working within SSC Company can be further
improved, if I will get regular feedback from my supervisor regarding the performance which I
am carrying out (Stredwick, 2013). By complying with the given type of activity, I can assess
that whether I am working towards the correct approach or not. Hence, I can improve my work
based experience in more effectual way.
CONCLUSION
It is necessary for every individual that it should get prior experience of the work which it
will perform in the near future. This is because through this way, person can get job in a better
company as per his or her own desire. Furthermore, by complying with the given type of activity
only, individual can deliver high quality services in the corporation where he or she will work in
future. In addition to this, such type of experience is also necessary for individuals to enhance
their number of skills and knowledge in an effective manner. Further, it leads them to deal with
corporate based opportunities in future and helps in performing effectively at the workplace.
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REFERENCES
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talent management. Journal of World Business. 45(2). pp.161-168.
Gruenewald, D. A. and Smith, G. A., 2014. Place-based education in the global age: Local
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Lange, J., 2014. Social Enterprise Work Placements: Connecting Competence to International
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Morris, C. and Blaney, D., 2010. Work‐Based Learning. Understanding medical education:
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Ro, H. and Choi, Y., 2011. Student team project: Gender differences in team project experience
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Pp.149-163.
Stredwick, J., 2013. An introduction to human resource management. Routledge.
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<http://www.mid-east.k12.oh.us/Work-BasedExperience.aspx>. [Accessed on 17th March
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Zeng, Y. and et.al., 2014. Continuous Practice-Based Research on the Use of Standardized
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