LC580 - Reflective Commentary: Career Goals and Employability Skills

This reflective commentary discusses the development of transferable and employability skills, relating them to work-related experiences, the Bucks Graduate Attributes, and future career goals. It reflects on the relationship between theory and practice, evaluating personal skills and competencies in organizational settings. The commentary also identifies goals for career development, including enhancing communication, research, and problem-solving skills. It emphasizes the importance of ethical awareness, responsibility, and creativity in professional settings and highlights the need for continuous learning and adaptation to achieve future success. The updated CV is submitted along with the commentary.

CW2 Reflective
Commentary
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Table of Contents
Introduction.....................................................................................................................................3
Main body........................................................................................................................................3
Reflecting on the relationship between relevant theory and practice in my own work-related
experiences and goals.................................................................................................................3
Reflecting on my own transferable and employability skills in relation to the Bucks Graduate
Attributes.....................................................................................................................................5
Identifying goals for my career development.............................................................................7
Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................8
References.......................................................................................................................................9
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Introduction
The purpose of this contemporary assignment task is to reflect on developing transferable
and employability skills and how these skills are required in the work scenarios. This report will
comment on the skills and abilities required in the work settings. It will articulate and evaluate
the implications of my experiences, skills, competencies as well as knowledge in organisational
settings. This report will reflect my learning acquired which will further help me in enhancing
my future goals and career plans.
Reflecting on the relationship between relevant theory and practice in my own work-related
experiences and goals
I have learnt that the integration and relationship between theory and practices is one of
the most recognised key question which is significant in relation with the development of
vocational competence and professional expertise. I have also learnt that there are various
theories of management which are practised at workplace which helps in improving skills and
performance at the workplace. I have gained the clarity about this concept that the management
practices of an organisation are based upon various theories which decide the course of practices
and activities which are conducted in work based environment. At the time of professional
development, I have learnt that the application of theory into practice is one of the most
important criteria in judging performance of employees as well as of students who are taking
part in work based learning (Anisimova and McNeilly, 2021). I have also gained the clarity
about this concept that the theories of work based culture suggests relevant skills and abilities
which help in career development and allow an employee to work with high efficiency and
effectiveness. I have also gained clarity about the models that theories are academic models
which helps in explaining or predicting a certain phenomena. I have also learnt about certain
frameworks which basically include theoretical frameworks explains the critics and develops
synthesis and often contradicts each other. It is important for me to develop an understanding of
theory is required in order to determine what strategies must be best suited to blessed learners
and how proper learning atmosphere must be created in order to meet the requirements of
learning profile and needs. The relationship between practice and theory is highly significant in
order to demonstrate one's ability to make effective use of evidence in order to enhance
understanding regarding main concepts.
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In context to my learning in work-related experiences and goals, I make effective use of
theories such as scaffold learning and activity based learning in practical application which helps
me in enhancing my future growth and also helped me in improving performance during my
work based learning. I have relevant knowledge on the in the areas of theoretical framework and
how they help in improving practice in the work based scenarios. I am very well versed in the
areas of applying theories in practical context to improve my performance. The major theories of
work based scenarios implies good communication skills, team working attributes, time
management, stress management, complying with ethical standards etc. these theories must be
applied in practical aspect as they are highly important in increasing productivity and efficiency
in work based scenarios. I lack in areas of communication, team working as well as stress
management (Davies, Macaulay and Pretorius, 2019). However, I believe that I am highly
disciplined and strictly behave according to code of conduct of an organisation and comply with
their ethical considerations. The theories of work based scenarios implies that individuals are
required to work in teams with collaboration and coordination and thus it is important for them
to apply these theories at workplace in order to improve their performance. I need to improve my
team working skills in order to improve practice at workplace. At the organisational level, I have
organised different skills practise sessions and with support of online tutorials and experienced
persons, I can aware my team regarding their skills and give support system for developing them
as well.
According to my work experience and goals, I am required to effectively apply
theoretical frameworks in organisational settings for practising with great level of productivity
and efficiency. In order to enhance professional development, it is highly crucial that I make
effective use of my knowledge on various employability theories so that I can improve and
enhance the scope of my future career growth and development.
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Reflecting on my own transferable and employability skills in relation to the Bucks Graduate
Attributes
The bucks graduate attributes is used as a basis of defining development of innovative
leaders as a university's corporate strategy focusing upon professional and creative capacities
(Tran, Phan and Bellgrove, 2021). In order to reflect on my employability and transferable skills,
I have stated below the Bucks graduate attributes in reference with my abilities.
Leadership and self development: Leadership is the aspect of leading and instructing an
individual or a group of individual and is highly critical in work based settings and for career
growth. Self development refers to the attribute which determine an individual's efforts to
improve and enhance their personality by self evaluation and improving skills. Leadership
allows an individual to maintain an attitude which inspires and can induce their fellow peers to
perform better (Khalid and Ahmad, 2021). Leadership is important for self development as it
refers to the aspect of working on self through grooming and improving communication skills in
order to influence behaviour of others. I seek improvement in the area of leadership and self
development as I am not effective and influential enough to determine performances of others.
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Work based environment requires leadership attribute in order to instruct and guide
fellow members according to professional criteria. This attribute can achieved through
implementing specific leadership style or by changing the leader with the system of voting so
that new leader can freshly direct the organisation through their planning and strategy as well. In
teaching field this attribute is highly important for inspiring and influencing behaviour of
students (Succi and Canovi, 2020). The attribute of leadership is important in determining
performance of fellow members in performing better and achieving mutual goals.
Knowledge and its application: Another major attribute in the Bucks graduate includes correct
application of knowledge as it is very important aspect in professional development. For the
purpose of developing professional attributes, it is required for an individual to make effective
use of his knowledge areas. The crucial application of knowledge requires high practicality and
taking practical approach in order to resolve issues and enhance career development. My own
skills and abilities in constructively applying knowledge in work based settings is not up to the
mark, as sometimes I am unable to use my knowledge in correct context (Mello and Wattret,
2021). In areas of teaching, this attribute is highly preferable as it is very important for
professors to use their expertise and knowledge in the process of student's learning. It relates to
me in such a manner that the right kind of learning strategy adopted by the professor helps the
student in terms of grasping the things into fast pace manner. Moreover in conducting research
and creating thesis and dissertation accurate application of knowledge is critically required.
Social and ethical awareness and responsibility: This attribute refers to the practice of
complying with ethical and moral standards and work with responsibility. This attribute suggests
that an individual is concerned about working in a manner which is socially and ethically
appropriate. In this context, an individual is required to work considering that how they are
socially and ethically obliged to comply with organisational code of conduct and they must be
responsible for their actions. In the career of teaching this attribute is highly relevant because
teachers must feel socially obliged towards their behaviour with students. They must feel
responsible for the performance of their students and thus this attribute is of high significance in
this professional field as well as any other work based learning (Nghia and et.al., 2020). On basis
of my experience in work based settings, I have analysed that I am very much aware on my part
in relation with social and ethical responsibility. I know the importance of ethical code of
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conduct in work environment and in universities and one must comply with such principles in
order to avoid any trouble and improve performance. I am very disciplined and committed
towards my work and thus I believe that working with integrity and respecting ethical concerns
in professional settings are very much significant.
Creativity: Creativity is the key to attain success in the areas of professional development as
innovation is the factor which makes an individual different from others and increase their
competitive edge. It is what makes an individual stand out in a potential crowd. Moreover, in
work based settings and organisations, employees are rewarded and promoted according to their
creativity and how innovatively they can enhance their performance. In my area of profession, it
is very important to apply this attribute as professors are required to teach with creativity in such
a manner which provides students with constructive guidance (Pham and Jackson, 2020). The
pattern and approach that a professor follows in providing learning lectures to students is very
important for determining the quality of a teacher to help students in gaining understanding on
concepts. Creativity is the key in deciding an approach which is to be followed by teachers for
effective learning.
Identifying goals for my career development
For my effective career development, my significant goals includes enhancement of
various skills to increase possibilities of high future success in my professional area. According
to my career goal, it is very important for me to learn certain skills so that I can positively
perform into my career field (Spronken-Smith, Brown and Mirosa, 2018). I have to be good in
terms of communication skills so that I can communicate effectively communicate my
information to other people as well. I need to have proper understanding into the context of
research and studying parameters so that I can do the research into result oriented manner. I can
practice research skill through creating smaller research projects for yourself in order to work on
that which can help in terms of with the current life event. According to my knowledge i need to
have deeper understanding in the field of health care sector so that my research level can reaches
to the next higher level.
For becoming a professor, I need to clear certain level of qualification so that I can reach
to that stage where I can become an eligible professor at university or researcher in a well
reputed lab. There are certain steps which needs to be followed for becoming a researcher which
basically include obtaining a bachelor's degree and after that complete the master's degree.
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In the further step, it is necessary to gain the experience and pursue certifications for it as
well. In the last step, consider the doctorate degree for it into positive manner. In this manner, a
researcher can be become in a well reputed organisation. I need to develop problem solving
skill into my nature so that in future i can solve the problems of my students into effective
manner (Preston and Rosairo, 2021). The habit of reading lots of books and internet surfing
gives me the opportunity to present myself into different conferences. I have excellent level of
skill of presentation skill due to which I can easily explain the concepts to other people as well. I
have good writing skills due to which it help me in terms of my career field into positive manner.
I need to be good in terms of writing research reports into precise and to the point manner as
well. At the organisational level, I have to face lots of challenges so I have to ready to take
challenges into positive manner. In order to solve these challenges I need to develop problem
solving skill so that I can properly address it and resolve it into set period of time. According to
my experience, while working as researcher into the lab, I ned to be very strong in terms of
patience level so that I can perform into effective manner from the perspective of future into
result oriented manner. So in the overall manner, it has been observed that these skills help me in
the future career goal into positive manner with the effective results as well.
Conclusion
From the above reflective writing, it has been concluded that it is very important to
understand the relationship between theory and practice for the purpose of effective professional
development. It has been determined that it can be assessed through their own relation into
context of application of theory into practise into work related environment. Moreover, this
report has concluded assessment of my employability and transferable skills in order to enhance
my career development. It has been analysed that bucks graduate attributes are helpful in
defining the criteria on which professional development could be evaluated and assessed. It has
been observed that through this learning I can properly set my goals and plan the skills
accordingly for it in order to enhance my career.
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References
Anisimova, A.G. and McNeilly, E., 2021. Ways to develop employability skills in teaching
translation to final-year students. Дискурс профессиональной коммуникации, 3(1),
pp.75-84.
Davies, T., Macaulay, L. and Pretorius, L., 2019. Tensions between disciplinary knowledge and
transferable skills: Fostering personal epistemology during doctoral studies. In Wellbeing
in Doctoral Education (pp. 19-25). Springer, Singapore.
Khalid, K. and Ahmad, A.M., 2021. The relationship between employability skills and career
adaptability: a case of undergraduate students of the United Arab Emirates. Higher
Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning.
Mello, L.V. and Wattret, G., 2021. Developing transferable skills through embedding reflection
in the science curriculum. Biophysical Reviews, pp.1-7.
Nghia, T.L.H. and et.al., 2020. 2 Employability, employability capital, and career
development. Developing and utilizing employability capitals: Graduates’ strategies
across labour markets.
Pham, T. and Jackson, D., 2020. The need to develop graduate employability for a globalised
world. Developing and utilizing employability capitals: Graduates’ strategies across
labour markets, pp.21-40.
Preston, J. and Rosairo, F., 2021. Reflections on the value of simulations in developing
employability skills in postgraduate business students. In Games, Simulations and Playful
Learning in Business Education. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Spronken-Smith, R., Brown, K. and Mirosa, R., 2018. Employability and graduate attributes of
doctoral graduates. Spaces, journeys and new horizons for postgraduate supervisión,
pp.235-256.
Succi, C. and Canovi, M., 2020. Soft skills to enhance graduate employability: comparing
students and employers’ perceptions. Studies in higher education, 45(9), pp.1834-1847.
Tran, L.T., Phan, H.L.T. and Bellgrove, A., 2021. ‘There's a much bigger world of science than
just Australia': Australian students’ development of disciplinary knowledge, transferable
skills and attributes through a New Colombo Plan short-term mobility program to
Japan. International Journal of Science Education, 43(6), pp.888-905.
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Curriculum Vitae
PQRS
Skills
I have good communication skills and strong in terms of communicating with large number of
people. I am also strong in terms of problem solving skill due to which I can take challenges
into positive manner at the organizational and at academic level as well.
Work Experience
 Feb 2017 – Present I worked as a care assistant at Willow Grange Care Home ,
Birmingham. The main responsibility is to un keep the client's hygiene which ensures
about safety and also facilitates the social-emotional support.
 Sep 2014 – Sep 2016 I worked as a care assistant in a private house in Foggia. The
main duties include medications of administering, managing activity, cleaning the
client's living area and also manages the care schedules as well.
 Jan 2004 – Aug 2014 I worked as a farmer in my own agricultural farm in Romania.
As a farmer, the main responsibility is to perform manual labour and handling heavy
machinery and also managing farm activities as well.
 Aug 2000 – Mar 2003 I worked as a personal assistant in SC. TANADI IMPEX SRL.
The main responsibility is to act as medium between internal/ external clients and the
manager and also handles queries and requests into appropriate manner.
Qualification
 Graduated high school in Romania and specialisation in international
Baccalaureate(1992-1996)
 Currently studying in London School of Science and Technology in health and Social
Science in the year of second(Feb 2020-Feb 2024)
Hobbies
 Reading books
 Playing Basketball
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