Report on Personal and Professional Development and Academic Skills

This report focuses on personal and professional development, emphasizing the importance of academic skills like presentation, referencing, and critical thinking. It explores the value of short, medium, and long-term goals in achieving self-improvement and career success. The report delves into the concepts of personal development, highlighting its role in skill assessment and strategic planning. It examines the benefits of setting goals and managing work-life balance. The report also includes a detailed personal development plan, outlining strategies to enhance communication, interpersonal, and business-related knowledge to achieve both short-term and long-term career objectives such as purchasing a house, securing employment in a reputable organization, and starting a business. The plan includes specific actions, timelines, and evaluation methods to track progress and ensure the successful attainment of personal and professional goals. The report references various academic sources to support its findings.

ACADEMIC SKILLS AND
PDP
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................3
1. Concepts of personal and professional development...............................................................3
2. Value of long term goals..........................................................................................................3
5. Personal development plan......................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9
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INTRODUCTION
Academic skills are core skills like presentation, referencing and academic writing skills
along with critical thinking and reflective practices that contribute in enhancing student learning.
Every student must have academic skills in order to easily learn new things, skill and knowledge
for future growth and development. This report is about personal and professional development
that discussed about the value of short, medium and long term goals. At last it has covered
necessary detailed pertaining to personal development plan that by making use of identified
goals for growth and development in future circumstances.
1. Concepts of personal and professional development
Personal and professional development helps an individual’s to manage its current
learning and growth for bright future ahead. It is lifelong process that helps people in assessing
their existing skills, qualities and capabilities in order to plan effective strategies that could be
used to improve its skills. The aim of personal and professional development is to manage the
learning and growth by learning new skills and knowledge that can be helpful in completing
particular task in best possible manner. Therefore in another words personal development is self
improvement process that help in developing new skills that can be used in professional and
personal career (Wibrowski, Matthews and Kitsantas, 2017). There are different benefits of
personal and professional development such as person is able to identified its existing skills, set
goals and effective manage work life balance and improve career prospects. So, it is ongoing
process that helps in setting goals, improving skill for better outcome. Furthermore there are
numerous methods that are used by individuals to manage their personal and professional
development such as intentional and plan development, look for alternative opportunities that are
available in external environment. Setting goals and measuring the progress against the set goals
is also one of the methods that are used by individuals to work on their professional and personal
development. Therefore it can be summarised that concept of personal and personal development
is important for every individuals as it lead in improving existing skills and enhance growth
opportunities.
1. Value of short-term goal
To the achievement of long-term goals the well structured and proper short- term goals play a
vital role. The short term goal can be achieved in very little duration for one week or two month
if the individual is very close to long- term goals so it should make short term goals because
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short term goals express as a slight steps to accomplishment of the long- term goals. The short
term goal is the element of puzzle because at the end the whole picture is assembled with the
particular part. There are some my personal short term goals: “Every month I read for 10 hours;
for the upcoming 5 month in that each month I read a one leadership book; Daily watch industry
leader talk show and Visit on TED.com” The major difference short term and long term goals is
very sufficient to be realized and through that the brain always motivated. If the individual
properly prepare and complete the short term goals so it more motivated to reaching the
subsequent step
However, as per the view of (Cellini, and et.al., 2017) an individual can achieved the short term
goals very easily, but it will not lead the good incentives. In accordance (Etkin, 2019), the more
motivated people want to take more risk and leaving their most console zone. In the short term
goals have not involvement of risk and it not much motives the people.
As suggested by (Corcoran, and et.al 2020) the short term goals give direction about what have
to do very day so easily accomplish the long-term goals and by achieving the long term goal the
individual brain always concentrated. Example: To study in the University for getting the degree
so it is the short term goal and its every term is the short term goal.
From the perspective of (Carey, and et. al., 2020) short term goal give a path to the achievement
of long-term goal and the short term goal are for very short purpose the duration of achievement
of short term goal is limited.
2. Value of medium-term goals
As per the view of (Jordão, Pinho, and Jacques, P2019) the individual goal be SMART (specific,
measurable, achievable, realistic, and time) the SMART goal provide proper direction and with
the clarity. The SMART goals not only guide or give direction for the accomplishment of goal
but also it motive to individual so that it easily achieves their goal. There have long period
between the long and medium term goal so because of that reason medium term goal are not
specific and there are lot changes in short term goals. The medium term goal helps in the
accomplishment of long term goal and the period of medium term goal is 1 to 2 year. My
medium term goal is every day learning new skills also I read books which are related to my
field.
From the point of view (Winell, 2019) making a plan in advance and organizing it every day is
very essential without it can’t achieve the specific objective on time, by making a plan people
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know that what have do or not. By setting goals in advance understand that for the particular goal
which skills are required for the specific position according to that people itself. In the individual
goal have an involvement of personal value without that particular goals are pointless and people
are not satisfied. By the value people know that why they want to achieve things in their life and
by medium term goals people know that how to do daily task it also show the performance.
3. Value of long term goals
Long terms goals are important for self improvement as they give a motivate to stay
focused and strive on particular task so that what an individual wants can be easily achieved. It
is something that a particular individual wants to achieve in longer time frame that is more than
one year. They require effective planning as well as time to achieve as long term goals are not
that which can be achieved within a week or months. Long term goals contribute in planning
strategies as well as steps that could be taken to improving the end goals for better professional
and personal career (Moyon, Hiner and Richardson, 2017). Moreover, the long term goals are
valuable as they motivate individuals to constantly take steps toward achieve short goals so that
end long term goals can be achieved in best possible manner. Therefore the various long term
goals that I want to achieve in my future career can be explained as follows:
Long term goals 1: “My goal is to purchase a luxury house that has well equipped furniture,
facilities and is located in premium location within the time of 5 year.”
In order to achieve the goal of having a luxury house in my personal life I will take all
necessary steps to earn higher income so that I have capabilities to afford the same. I will
dedicatedly perform my task in organisation so that I can promote to higher position and get
more salary and income. Moreover, I have planned to start a business as it helps in earning more
profit margin that I will make use to make a luxury house where I can have fun and enjoyment.
Long term goals 2: “Secondly, I want to get employment in reputable organisation with have
better package so that I can live better lifestyles and enjoy each movement of my life.”
For achieving the long term goal 2 I have decided to devote more time as well as efforts
to get educated, learn new things, skills and capabilities that I could used in my professional
career. At the same time I have planned to search for alternative reputable organisation in which
I want to apply so that I can gain more and more salary in order to meet my long term goals in
best possible manner (Kikas, Soodla and Mägi, 2018).
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Long term goals 3: “Thirdly, I want to start a business by 5-6 years in order to earn higher profit
margin and become a successful entrepreneur in future circumstances.”
For third goal I have decided to learn about the method related to the way business can be
developed and effective managed so that better outcome can be enjoyed by the entrepreneur. I
have also decided to invest time in planning an innovative idea that I could used to start business
and attract potential customers in the organisation (Ali Ali, 2017). So, in order to become
successful entrepreneur I will also read books, articles and journals to get knowledge the way
individuals have run huge enterprise in order to earn higher profit margin.
Therefore, it can be summarised from above that lot of time, planning I need to devote in
order to develop and achieve the long term goals.
5. Personal development plan
It is process of creating an action plan that helps in planning strategies that could be used
to improve key skills and knowledge of individuals for bright future ahead. In another words it is
document that outline key goals, skills that need to be improved and method that could be used
to enhance them for higher growth in professional and personal career. Furthermore it helps in
planning action that could be taken by individuals to work on its existing skills in order to get
employment or achieve various personal and professional objectives of life (Álvarez-Bueno and
et.al., 2017). Therefore, on the basis of above objective there are key areas that I need to improve
or enhance so that I can achieve the short, medium and long term professional and personal
goals. Such as:
Skills that need to be
developed
Strategies that are
used to enhance or
improve skills
Method to evaluate
the development of
skills
Time frame
Communication skill 1. In order to
improve my
communicatio
n skills both
oral and
written I have
planned to join
classes where I
To evaluate that I
have developed
communication skills
I have planned to take
feedback from my
friend, relative. In
order to know
whether I am able to
To work on my
communication skill I
will require around 4-
5 month time frame.
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will be teach
the way to
communicate
with others.
2. Moreover, I
have decided
to try to share
my view, ideas
to other so that
I can improve
my verbal
communicatio
n.
effective share my
feeling or not (Derrick
and Wighting, 2019).
Interpersonal skills 1. For
development
of
interpersonal
or relationship
skills I have
planned to
learn method
to coordinate
with diverse
range of
people.
2. Secondly I
have decided
to understand
each and every
one opinion in
order to build
For evaluation of
development of
interpersonal skills, I
will analysis to who
many member I am
able to build
relationship or
understand their
feeling and make
them happy.
To develop
interpersonal skills as
per my perspective
there are around 8-9
month that I will
require.
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strong
relationship
with them for
longer time
frame.
Knowledge related
to the way business
run
1. While to
enhance my
knowledge
related to the
way business
is managed I
have decided
to read more
and more
books or make
use of internet
to know who
the successful
entrepreneurs
manage huge
enterprise in
order to earn
maximum
profit margin
(Walters,
Robinson. and
Walters,
2019).
2. I have also
decided to
work on my
For knowing that I
have get knowledge
pertaining to the way
business is managed I
will analysis my
knowledge related to
business. Whether I
have complete
knowledge regarding
its management or
not. So in long term I
can start a new
business with
innovative idea to
earn maximum profit.
For enhancement as
well as development
of knowledge related
to business
management I will
required around 1
year time frame.
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management,
innovation and
creativity and
team building
skills so that in
future
circumstances
I can be good
and successful
entrepreneurs.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that academic skills are crucial for student as it
contribute in enhancing their learning capabilities and getting higher success in personal and
professional career. It is also be learn that short, long and medium terms personal and
professional career help me in planning key action that I can pursue to achieve the same and gain
maximum success in future circumstances. Therefore, at last it can be summarised that above
personal development plan has helped me in understanding the way I can improve my skills,
knowledge and capabilities in order to attain my end goals in best possible manner.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Ali Ali, F., 2017. Gauging the association of employability skills and being employable among
students. International Journal of Social Sciences & Educational Studies, 4(2). pp.39-52.
Álvarez-Bueno, C and et.al., 2017. Academic achievement and physical activity: a meta-
analysis. Pediatrics, 140(6).
Carey, G., and et. al., 2020. Managing staged policy implementation: Balancing short‐term needs
and long‐term goals. Social Policy & Administration, 54(1).pp.148-162.
Cellini, M.M., and et.al., 2017. Evaluation of a speed mentoring program: achievement of short-
term mentee goals and potential for longer-term relationships. Academic
pediatrics, 17(5). pp.537-543.
Corcoran, K., and et.al 2020. When your goals inspire my goals: the role of effort, personal
value, and inference in goal contagion. Comprehensive Results in Social
Psychology, 4(1). pp.78-108.
Crawshaw, I.S. and Crawshaw, P.R., 2019. Starting out in farming–ownership, goals and
opportunities. Journal of New Zealand Grasslands. pp.255-258.
Derrick, M. G. and Wighting, M., 2019. Cultural Awareness Research and Implications for
Practice and Professional Development. In Multicultural Andragogy for Transformative
Learning (pp. 1-8). IGI Global.
Etkin, J., 2019. Time in relation to goals. Current opinion in psychology. 26, pp.32-36.
Jordão, M., Pinho, M.S. and Jacques, P.L.S., 2019. Inducing spontaneous future thoughts in
younger and older adults by priming future-oriented personal goals. Psychological
Research, 83(4).pp.710-726.
Kikas, E., Soodla, P. and Mägi, K., 2018. Teacher judgments of student reading and math skills:
Associations with child-and classroom-related factors. Scandinavian Journal of
Educational Research, 62(5). pp.783-797.
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Moyon, K., Hiner, A. and Richardson, K., 2017. Cultivating Academic Habits of Mind: Key
Skills for Collegiate Success.
Walters, W., Robinson, D. B. and Walters, J., 2019. Mentoring as meaningful professional
development. International Journal of Mentoring and Coaching in Education.
Wibrowski, C. R., Matthews, W. K. and Kitsantas, A., 2017. The role of a skills learning support
program on first-generation college students’ self-regulation, motivation, and academic
achievement: A longitudinal study. Journal of College Student Retention: Research,
Theory & Practice, 19(3). pp.317-332.
Winell, M., 2019. Personal Goals: The Key to Self-Direction. Humans as Self-Constructing
Living Systems: Putting the Framework to Work. p.261.
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