Personal and Professional Development: Goals and Planning

This report provides a comprehensive overview of personal and professional development (PPD), encompassing the concepts, importance, and practical applications. The report defines PPD as a continuous process focused on enhancing individual capabilities, potential, and quality of life through skill development, self-assessment, and goal setting. It explores the value of short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals, providing examples for each, and emphasizes the significance of a well-defined personal development plan. The report highlights the importance of aligning goals with personal and professional aspirations, fostering continuous improvement, and adapting to changing demands in the workplace. Furthermore, the report underscores the role of PPD in improving work-life balance and overall well-being. The report concludes by summarizing the key takeaways and reinforcing the benefits of PPD for personal and professional growth. The report provides valuable insights and practical strategies for individuals seeking to enhance their skills, achieve their goals, and advance their careers.

Personal and professional
development

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Concept of personal and professional development....................................................................1
Value of Short-term goals with 3 examples................................................................................2
Value of Medium-term goals with 3 examples...........................................................................3
Value of Long-term goals with 3 examples................................................................................3
Personal development plan ........................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
References:.......................................................................................................................................5
APPENDIX......................................................................................................................................6
Personal development plan ........................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Academic skills are collection of habits, learning strategies which benefits in academic
pursuits. It is a method of general approaches to improve ability for a particular degree program
and to encourage the student to learn quickly. The skills relate to the subject area accessible to all
scholars in this country that is beneficial in building confidence to participate in any activity. The
personal and professional development deals with the learning and learning plan for developing
the personal skills of an person. The PPD are ways for the individual who takes initiative for
improving the own skills. The personal development plan is a action plan that helps in
incorporating learning hard and soft skills (Brace, J.L and et.al., 2018). The professional
development program is deliberate course of action which react to professional interest, desire
for growth in field and changing demand of work. The PPD are the course of action which are
developed on the basis of values, and reflections on skills that benefits in learning, developing
and preparing for future. The report covers the concept of personal and professional development
and discussing the value of short-term, medium-term and long-term goals. Further, personal
development plan is elaborated.
MAIN BODY
Concept of personal and professional development
Personal development is the long process which is a mode for the individual to measure
their abilities and competencies by considering the aim of their life and goals are set in demand
to have maximum potential. It comprises of activities which develops person capabilities,
potential and quality of life is enhanced by developing human capital, facilitating employability.
It also benefits in development of other people skills and personality by taking role of teacher or
mentor, through professional service such as training, coaching etc. The skills of self-
development helps in growth of both personally and professionally (Carpenter, J.P and et.al.,
2019). It has importance of providing clarity to vision for the future which gives an clear idea as
to what or where the person will be in next few years. The skills are sharpened by focusing on
the developing areas as learning and growing are the authentication of personal development. It
is important in finding the hidden talent which a person can become proficient. The person with
clear and achievable targets are more motivated which brings more productive in tasks and
progress is tracked. The work-life balance is improved through personal development by
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carrying own learning and development which also improves morale, confidence, and
knowledge. The teaching of individual growth in person is whole lifespan which is not limited to
self help. It is a time-consuming process but provides several goodness.
Professional development is the learning of professional qualifications that can be
acquired independently or professionally. This can include a degree, a professional qualification
or a regulated certification or participation in conferences and events. Professional development
defines to the development and improvement of their skills by teachers in order to better serve
the needs of their students (Chen, H.L. and Patel, S.J., 2018). Professional development
approaches include case study review, counselling and coaching, mentoring, and technical
support. To achieve success in career requires ongoing training and education which can be
developed through professional development. Professional development is designed to provide
workers with the skills necessary to be successful in their particular field of work. Different jobs
requires different skills to have success which can be gain from professional development as new
skills are learned to become better and more efficient in working. The job training is the essential
part of professional development. The person involved in this field feels more confident by
knowing the required skills to get success in work and its completion. The learning of right skill
make person more productive and efficient which helps in future career in business (Egert, F and
et.al.,2018). The purpose of professional development is to enable professionals to learn and
apply new knowledge and skills that can help them in their work and career. Professional
development is about building individual skills and knowledge base in area of expertise. It helps
maintain morale and highly qualified personnel is attracted to the organization. It is a way of
learning that earns and maintains professional qualifications. It includes the evaluation phase by
describing professional development as intense and collaborative.
Value of Short-term goals with 3 examples
This defines to something that a person wants to achieve in future such as in month, week
or days. This goals helps an individual in his career and provides thinking of what can be done in
right way. It helps an person in time managing. The goals are set for the shorter time period
having a small time frame for achieving such as within 2-3 months goals can be attained. This
goals helps in achievement of better professional aspirations, making productive in workplace
and satisfaction is improved (LaVelle, J.M. and Galport, N., 2020). The short term goals are
important as it boosts motivation by setting small aims. The person gets clear direction for the
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goals that will be accomplished within the time frame. The regular setting of objectives and
achieving them is key to promote professional life. It also helps to get positive and negative
feedback that motivates to improve progress towards goals. The short term goal should be
focused, which provides a roadmap for the long term goal to achieve the ultimate goal. This are
the integral part of planning which acts as a milestone in the journey for reaching to long term
goal.
Examples. 1. To increase productivity and performance in the position which can be attain by
measuring the performance and tacking efficiency of work.
2. To get an certification for advancing the career by attending online courses.
3. To improve the skills of both hard and soft for the better career such as communication
skill, marketing skill.
Value of Medium-term goals with 3 examples
This are the goals with takes times a bit longer. Medium-term goals are set between
short-term goals that can be achieved and long-term goals that require long periods of time. This
goals are set after having graduation from the universities and looking for something new such as
job. The short and mid-term goals are in relationship with each other which ultimately helps in
achieving long goals (Lawrie, G.A and et.al., 2019). The goals must be set in accordance to
SMART criteria. The time frame of goal is between three to five years. The medium term goals
are crucial as they set the roadmap for a specific year that aligns with the long term goal. It
render the monthly reflection as the way is changed various times during these steps. It is
necessary to evaluate from time to time to know that the goals are on the right track.
Examples. 1. To gain higher marks in the universities exams in each subject by studying
thoroughly and well, preparing notes.
2. To develop the several kinds of skill for having better professional career and in job to
work better.
3. To have an outing by saving money.
Value of Long-term goals with 3 examples
The long-term goals are those which takes longer time frame for accomplishing
something that requires hard work. The goals are achieved in future and objectives are tied with
professional and personal life. The goals can be achievable by focusing on one objective and
documenting them for tracking the progress. The milestones are map out by identifying the
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benchmarks. With each milestone short term gaols are created and keeps motivated &
encouraged towards the goal. The objectives can be set by considering SMART criteria. This
needs the ample time of planning & time (Loads, D and et.al.,2020). The aim of setting long term
goals is to achieve organisation profit. The goal are set for more than 5 years. This helps in self-
enhancement of person by providing satisfactory chance of improving itself. The goals also help
in making person professional in respect to its work after a time by attaining all short and
medium term objectives and gained lot of knowledge, skill and developed capabilities.
Examples- 1. The long term goal is to start own business.
2. To get a promotion in the multinational company in higher position by gaining
experience in relevant field.
3. My long goal is to purchase of vehicle and property.
Personal development plan
This defines to a written report that includes planned action of self-reflection and
betterment that accomplishes academic, professional, and personal goals. It includes the firmness
of strengths and weaknesses, goals and need for improvement. The individual development plan
is the one who creates a plan of action for the future by incorporating awareness, consideration
and strategies for the forthcoming and various beliefs (Loveland, T.R., 2017). It comprises the
evidence of goals, knowledge and training as well as phase pointing the idea, career and lifestyle
priorities to be realized. The PDP analyses with the alternative plans opportunities and risks. It is
essential to have a personal development plan in order to know where the plan is going and to
achieve the goal with specifics. It is an action plan that helps in identifying individual goal that
an person wants to accomplish, strength and weakness, areas for improving and developing to
meet goals. In the higher education and workplace the PDP is form of self-reflection and self-
evaluation. Moreover, in the personal life it is useful exercise which deviate from person to
person as it is reliable on respective objectives (Pereira, E.T., Vilas-Boas, M. and Rebelo, C.C.,
2019). The vision is set by the individual after assessing strength and weakness, area of
development and objectives sop that skills can be determined for accomplishing goals that are
needed.
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CONCLUSION
From above analysis it can be concluded that PPD is a valuable tool in helping
individuals reflect appropriately and record their learning and performance. There are numerous
skills that individuals learn and practice for personal and professional growth. The learning of
skills helps in better development of the person by supporting the continuous improvement that
can lead to a better quality of life. It helps to achieve the various short, medium and long term
goals by knowledgeable to skills and abilities. Personal and professional development offers
development through diverse learning. Thanks to personal and technical knowledge, the
individual can achieve any goal set by them. There is always room for improvement in
development in various areas.
References:
Books and Journals
Brace, J.L and et.al., 2018. Design, implementation, and evaluation of a multi-disciplinary
professional development program for research mentors. Mentoring & Tutoring:
Partnership in Learning, 26(4), pp.377-399.
Carpenter, J.P and et.al., 2019. Teacher identity and crossing the professional-personal divide on
Twitter. Teaching and teacher education, 81, pp.1-12.
Chen, H.L. and Patel, S.J., 2018, October. Using Reflection and Digital Storytelling via
ePortfolios to Support the Professional Development of Engineering Graduate Students.
In 2018 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE) (pp. 1-5). IEEE.
Egert, F and et.al.,2018. Impact of in-service professional development programs for early
childhood teachers on quality ratings and child outcomes: A meta-analysis. Review of
educational research, 88(3), pp.401-433.
LaVelle, J.M. and Galport, N., 2020. Using the 2018 AEA Evaluator Competencies for evaluator
education and professional development. New Directions for Evaluation, 2020(168),
pp.99-116.
Lawrie, G.A and et.al., 2019. Personal journeys of teachers: an investigation of the development
of teacher professional knowledge and skill by expert tertiary chemistry
teachers. Chemistry Education Research and Practice, 20(1), pp.132-145.
Loads, D and et.al.,2020. ‘Don’t hold me back’: Using poetic inquiry to explore university
educators’ experiences of professional development through the Scholarship of
Teaching and Learning. Arts and Humanities in Higher Education, 19(4), pp.337-353.
Loveland, T.R., 2017. Teaching Personal Skills in Technology and Engineering Education: Is It
Our Job?. Technology and Engineering Teacher. 76(7). pp.15-19.
Pereira, E.T., Vilas-Boas, M. and Rebelo, C.C., 2019. Graduates’ skills and employability: the
view of students from different European countries. Higher Education, Skills and Work-
Based Learning.
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APPENDIX
Personal development plan
Skills Targets Current skill level Resources required to improve
skills
Time
management skill
4 months To work efficiently I
maintain routine daily
which helps in saving
time.
To improve this skill I will
continuous monitor the time
schedule with work level and big
projects will be divided into
small task with each time frame.
Communication
skills
3 months I get nervous when
communicating with
others.
To improve my communication
skill I will read novel, taking
coaching and practising with
diverse people.
Problem solving
skill
6 months To have capability of
handling complex
situation and finding
quick solutions.
To improve this skill so as to
become more proficient I will
practice in more practical
scenario and focusing on more
situations.
Presentation skill 8 months I hesitate in public
when pitching
someone.
To improve this skill I will learn
practice giving presentation in
front of family and friends to feel
more confident. In college I will
prepare presentations and
attending seminars.
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