Reflective Paper on Academic and Employability Skills Development

This report is a reflective analysis of a student's development of academic and employability skills. It begins with an introduction defining these skills and their importance, followed by a reflection using the Gibbs reflective model. The description phase outlines the student's initial skill gaps, including time management, communication, and problem-solving. The feelings and emotions section details the student's anxiety and lack of confidence before gaining knowledge through the module. The evaluation phase assesses the impact of skill development on the student's performance and confidence, while the analysis phase identifies the root causes of skill deficiencies and the need for improvement. An action plan is then presented, outlining strategies to improve specific skills, such as time management, communication, and teamwork. The report concludes by summarizing the positive impact of these skills on the student's career growth and self-confidence, referencing supporting literature throughout.

ACADEMIC AND
EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS

Contents
INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................3
TASK......................................................................................................................................................3
Reflective paper on how the learning in the module has developed academic and employability
skills..................................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION.....................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES......................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
The employability skills are those skills which the workers say it is necessary for their
workplace. These skills support them in developing their career aspects and growth. The
skills that are required at the workplace are positive attitude, communication, team work and
self management. Academic skills are that skill that organize and manages work of an
individual and taking the information and also managing it. They include mnemonics, which
aid the retention of lists of information; effective reading; concentration techniques; and
efficient note taking. Report will highlight about the academic concepts that has been
developed in the module. It will also analyse the gap which has been evaluated during the
study.
TASK
Reflective paper on how the learning in the module has developed academic and
employability skills
Gibbs reflective model
Professor Graham Gibbs published his Reflective Cycle in his 1988 book "Learning by
Doing." It's particularly useful for helping people learn from situations that they experience
regularly, especially when these don't go well. It includes the five stages. The five stages can
be description, feelings and thoughts, evaluation, analysis and action. This can support an
individual on having an idea about the current situation which they are facing.
Description- Employability and academic skills is one of the most important skills that is
been required by an individual in order to grow. The module has assisted me in developing
various types of skills that was not posses by me earlier. The skills which I was lacking were
time management, problem solving, communication and self management. Also I have
evaluated that I am unable to speak properly with others that has affected in my grades and
because of this reason I was unable to make new friends and complete my projects on time.
From the view point of Jackson, (2015) Employability skills act as a performance indicator
for employers. Employers want you to possess these skills as they serve as cognitive factors
to judge ones performance. If an individual lack these skills, it directly indicates the flaws in
their performance. Also academic skills is very necessary for shaping ones career and
providing them with growth. I have analysed that I lack the common employability skills as

there was no support from the classmates and also from my teachers and professors side. In
order to grow I need to outshine these skills and techniques.
Feelings and Emotions- At first when I was not aware about that I am lacking various skills
like communication, team work , self management and time management. I was anxious and
less confident to perform in front of the audience. After learning from the module about the
various skills and practices, I have gained knowledge and because of it I have also been able
to gain the confidence (Cottrell, 2015). Firstly when I have no knowledge about
employability skills my work was miss managed and also because of it my grades were
decreasing. I have no idea how to prioritise the goals and objectives. After completion of the
module I have the confidence to perform better. It has helped me in making clear my aims
and also I have been able to prioritise my work. Now I can speak clearly, thoughtfully and
without feeling nervous. This module has supported me in learning various academic skills
and also my anxiety during speaking to others has been reduced. Previously I was also not
been able to write properly, now the module has improved my written as well as the verbal
communication. It has developed self confidence and esteem in me.
Evaluation- I have analysed that the learning of various employability skills and academic
skills can help an individual in growing. As per the view of Ruge and McCormack, (2017)
Employability skills of the candidates will help the employer to combat challenges faced by
the company. They act as shields and guards during times of adversities, assisting the
company in resolving all or any problems encountered. I have evaluated that the self
management skills can be developed y me through prioritising the task and also been sincere
and disciplined about the work (Messum And et.al., 2017). This can also help me in
removing all the competitors that I can face. Also I evaluate that as an student I also lack
problem solving skills. I find it difficult to find out the solutions of the issues by myself. This
can be overcome through by doing research on the topic which has been given to me.
Developing the Problem solving skills can help me in being the better leader. Also it can
support me in making my career path and goal. With this skill I can outshined the
performance in the classroom. Also developing of employability and academic skills can help
me in developing the confidence. This can also help me in making new friends and been the
better leader.
Analysis- I have analysed that the academic and employability skills which I am lacking is
very necessary to be developed. As these skills are most important for the future growth. I

have analysed that the skills like time management, self management, communication,
problem solving I am lacking as I do not pay the enough attention in the class. Also I have no
sufficient support from my teachers and classmates. So I also feel anxious while
communicating with them. I was not been able to speak well to others that was also affecting
my grades. I have also analysed that these skills can help in future and because of the various
employability and academic skills I can also become more competent. I have analysed that it
can develop self confidence in me. I have analysed that working in team can also support me
in making new friends because of which I can gain confidence and be able to grow. In the
view of Sharif, (2017) employability skills are more of a service that you offer to the
company. With the aid of these skills, one help in the growth of the company. In other words,
it is an employee’s contribution to the development of the company.
Action Plan- For improving the various employability and academic skills, I have also made an
action Plan. This includes the following:
Gaps in skills Ways to improve
Problem solving This can be improved by analysing the root cause of the problem.
Also this can be developed by having the support from the teachers
and the class members. Also by brain storming the ideas with other
class mates these skills can be developed.
Time management I can improve this skill by prioritising the task and also keeping my
objectives clear. I can also have the online tutorial and get support
from my teachers and classmates.
Communication My written and oral communication can be improved by taking
coaching from the teacher. Also I can practice in public, so that I can
speak well. Online internet tutorial can also be taken by me.
Team work I can do the group assignment as the part of the study. For improving
the team work I can also volunteer for the community organization.
This can help me in improving the team work.
CONCLUSION
From the above study it has been summarised that the academic and employability skills has
helped me in outshining my career growth. It has helped me in gaining self confidence. These
skills are necessary for making the work better. It has supported an individual in growing.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Jackson, D., 2015. Employability skill development in work-integrated learning: Barriers and
best practice. Studies in Higher Education.40(2). pp.350-367.
Ruge, G. and McCormack, C., 2017. Building and construction students’ skills development
for employability–Reframing assessment for learning in discipline-specific
contexts. Architectural Engineering and Design Management. 13(5).pp.365-383.
Sharif, A., 2017, June. Perceptions, pedagogy, employability: from survey indicators to
improving skills. In 14th Enhancement Themes Conference.
Cottrell, S., 2015. Skills for success: Personal development and employability. Macmillan
International Higher Education.
Messum, D. And et.al., 2017. Senior Managers' and Recent Graduates' Perceptions of
Employability Skills for Health Services Management. Asia-Pacific Journal of
Cooperative Education.18(2).pp.115-128.