Personal and Professional Development Plan: Skills and Goals Report

This report presents a personal and professional development plan created by a management student. It begins with an introduction outlining the plan's purpose: to synthesize personal and professional goals, leveraging academic and professional experiences. The report is divided into two sections: a self-assessment using SWOT analysis to evaluate strengths and weaknesses, followed by the setting of SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) objectives. The student defines short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals, and outlines an action plan to achieve them. The report focuses on developing key skills such as communication, teamwork, analytical abilities, decision-making, problem-solving, and technical proficiency. The SWOT analysis highlights strengths like a clear career focus and strong academic performance, as well as weaknesses in handling pressure and interpersonal communication. The report then details the student's goals and strategies for improvement. The second section contains a reflective statement summarizing the skills and experiences gained during the plan's development.

Personal and
Professional
development plan

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
SWOT Analysis......................................................................................................................2
SMART objectives.................................................................................................................4
Short-term, Medium-term and Long-term goals....................................................................5
Action Plan.............................................................................................................................6
TASK 2..........................................................................................................................................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14
Books and Journals...............................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
Personal and Professional development plan is a synthesis of an individual where one
synthesise and elaborates about goals and objectives in life that one is aspiring to avail in
personal life as well as professional life from learnings in academic field and professional field.
The plan tells about how one individual is seeking to use and translate various learnings and
developments, qualities in personality developments, in such a manner that not only career goals
are met but also one could grow as a better human being as well. An individual acquires these
learning and qualities from academic life and personal experiences both. There could be set of
qualities that help one to grow and fulfil what one desires in different walks of life.
In this report, a Personal and Professional development plan is prepared for the report
developer himself. For this purpose, developer goes on mentioning about all qualities that he is
aspiring to develop, which would help him in fulfilling career objectives and personal objectives,
both. The report is divided in two sections, one is Self-audit where developer talks about skills he
seeks to develop. It has been elaborated with help of SWOT analysis, Short, Medium and Long
term goals and action plan for skills. In second section report mentions about reflective statement
by developer that what experiences and skills are inculcated while developing the plan.
TASK 1
As a student of Management in higher education and for building effective and successful
career in the same line I need to inculcate, grow and develop different skills which will be
helpful for me in career and personality development both. While continuing my studies, I felt it
strongly that my personal skills have to align with my knowledge that is gained from
management studies in higher educational standards. Therefore, in getting the work done rightly,
I must have those qualities which presents me as a knowledgable, well informed, well directed,
articulative, enthusiastic, decisive and efficient employee. All these qualities will collectively
help me in growing my professionalism. Prominence of this is reasoned by requirements of
modern times. Dynamics in modern times are relatable with all aspects in businesses. In
consideration of modern factors holistically, it can not be truly bifurcated that one factor is more
or less dynamic be it are political developments, technological developments or business
developments and innovations. Similarly, all these factors are very much integrated with each
other. Thus, from management point of view I must ensure that I remain informed with all such
1

developments so they could be well managed by me. Also, I must have those abilities where I
could take effective, analysed and quick decisions which then help my company to prosper more
and more. Also, there have to be those qualities in me with support of which I can lead, motivate
and instruct my subordinates in fulfilling and meeting these dynamics in best possible way. All
this will also change me to develop my ideas, thought process and personality. These qualities
will be reflected in my communications and decisions in personal life too.
SWOT Analysis
Now, progressing discussion further and in process of carrying self-assessment I have
made SWOT analysis of my current skills and abilities that I have learnt so far in academic and
personal life.
Strengths
I have been always clear in my mind about this that I would be choosing to build my
career in management field in future. And thus decision I took was in line of requirements that
will fulfil my this goal. I pursued my studies in commerce stream that helped me have insights
about businesses, businesses practices, economics, management, marketing and accounting
practices involved right from the beginning. I decided so because learnings sought in early age
leaves better imprints on mind for rest of the life. Then, in graduation also I pursued it in
Business administration (Hons.) where I learnt subjects related to business management and
administration specifically such as organisational behaviour, corporate management, e-marketing
etc. in detailed manner. Also, I acquired knowledge about Taxation in my graduation time only.
And, later in management studies I am gaining all theoretical knowledge along with their
practical implications. My presentation skills and modelling of reports are well acknowledged by
professors in universities. In this way I have knowledge regarding commerce, corporate business
and management in complete alignment. My academic score have always been above average,
which proves efficacy of my knowledge. Considering my behavioural strengths I assess myself
sincere, disciplined and dedicated person towards meaningful purposes in profession as well as
personal life. I try my best to keep myself well informed about all developments in society, either
with help of news or much other sources like social media. I like socialising and in many
experiences I have felt I take challenges excitingly and have passionate approach towards
solving them.
Weaknesses
2

I believe my weaknesses are mostly related to my attitude and behavioural aspects. For
example, my approach towards professional matters and communications are very straight
forwarded. I want matters to be communicated very clearly afterwards any other concerned
person or employee to whom actually had belonged have put best of his efforts. This is not good
because managers are leaders and sometimes they need to have compassionate approach and try
to be more psychological rather being puppets of rules and perfection. When work is important
human behaviour is at the same time important to understand. My expectations with other
employees and colleagues are same to prioritize work first and rest of things after work, which is
not the case with everybody. Result being, sometimes situation becomes stressed and I get face
to face with employees and sub-ordinates. Other weakness that I assess about myself is that
while dealing with situations under pressure, I get restless and non-confident. I become short-
tempered and just cannot relax unless and until problem gets completely solved. Its not the case
always that my efforts will always get desired results, sometimes problems may or may not
solve, but the process which I go through in dealing with such situations become so exhaustive
and problematic for me during that time or later that it attracts negative results on my health and
personal relations.
Opportunities
I like to make continuous engagement with the development that takes place in society
and world through news and many other available sources that improve my knowledge as well as
diverge my understanding towards different matters. Also this help me to make interpretations in
a very different way and also approach that I choose becomes distinctive in this way. To my this
ability I attribute the credit to digital revolution and many other technological developments in
this segment. With the help of digital revolution and development of different platforms like
social media platforms, news integrators, OTT platforms, different websites of information
providers and knowledge developers have confronted me with line of opportunities. And I think,
as a potential learner, I can make best use of these digital developments. Here, in this context,
though I possess some knowledge of usage of this opportunity, but also I am keen to explore
many existing and future developments that will help me diversifying my ideas, understandings
and approaches.
Threats
3

Most obvious potential threats that I have is from my personal behaviour and attitude of
taking work too much seriously and expecting same from others. This unable me to balance my
work life with personal life in efficient way which ultimately lead to tensions in personal life that
eventually impacts work life. Also, communication with others can not get established in
efficient manner and this is a very serious threat for any manager, good communication skills
comes under manager's job profile. A manger is the leader of any department, be it production
manager, sales manager, marketing manager or any other manager. Also he has responsibility of
establishing coordination between employees in department and their job roles. Also, manager
have to keep employees motivated towards work and encourage them for continuous work
engagement. For fulfilling all these responsibilities manager is needed to have scientific temper
and humane approach. I think this over seriousness and straight forwardness will come as a big
threat for me in future.
Hence from this analysis I conclude assessing myself as sincere, disciplined and positive
about challenges and developments that comes in path of career as one walks further. I am
dedicated to face all challenges and problems with determination and by making self
developments as and when required. However, in same assessment I assess myself weak in
handling problems under pressure. Where my attitude is seen shaking and I become apprehensive
and non-confident. My communications with people get disrupted. And this is biggest threat for
me in career goals.
SMART objectives
For achieving desirable efficiency in my career in management field I have identified six
crucial skills that are necessitated by modern developments as per my job profile. These skills
are Communication skills, Team spirit, Analytical skills, Decision making, Problem solving and
Technical skills.
4

Short-term, Medium-term and Long-term goals
Short-term goals will those who are to be achieved by me in next one year or less.
Medium-term goals will be achieved in next two to five years. Whereas, long-term goals are
achievable in more than five years.
Short-term goals
Short-term goals are goals to be met in near future with the help of planned approach and
methods. They are the goals which stands at priorities and going to impact me in near future.
Their results are needed by me to be seen before I enter my professional life in next one year or
so. Therefore, three goals, Communication goals and Decision making goals and Technical
skills. These goals have worth in professional and personal life both. Therefore, their
achievement is at priority so I can become not just a good manager but a good human being as
well. In field of management one is required to have basic technical skills like computer
knowledge (of MS Word, MS excel etc.), basics of marketing tools and techniques and
production techniques etc.
Medium-term goals
For cultivating problem solving skills and team spirit with in me I decided to set medium
term standards, which means these goals will be met by me in next two to five years. For
problem solving skills I decided this because these skills can better be developed by the time
when I will be encountering problems in real life, facing them and solving them pragmatically.
Only, theoretical knowledge of these skills will not be helpful that much. Reasons for choosing
team spirit in medium term goals is similar. As, I will be getting opportunity to work in team
after availing job in professional manners properly, where discussions and work sharing will be
complying professional standards then these qualities will be developed more appropriately.
Unlike academic life where personal communications are mixed with working standards.
Long-term goals
Analytical skills are those which I assess as requirement of little long future. After more
than five years. These skills are needed when I shall move upward in hierarchical manner in
organisation, gain experience and acquire seniority. Analytical skills are generally related to
tasks of higher authorities and senior planners in organisation. At the initial stage, level of
analytical skills that are required relates to basic understandings and common sense. These are
used at learning stages and subordinate levels.
5

Action Plan
Skills Specific Measurable Actionable Relevance Timely
Communication
skills-
Communication
skills are helpful
in maintaining
effective and
right type of
conversation in
right manner
with everybody
in my
prospective
organisation.
With employees
, colleagues,
sub-ordinate
workers and
senior
management.
For
developing
these skills
in correct
way and
with strong
imprints, I
decided to
learn these
skills in
professional
manner by
attending a
seminar. In
this seminar
I will be able
to identify
proper needs
of
developing
these skills,
how they
should be
inculcated in
efficient
manner and
how they
could be
retained in
Deriving from
results of
seminar I
would be able
to identify
major and
particular
areas that I am
lacking
pertaining to
communicatio
n skills. Also I
can then
classify or
make proper
segregations
on which I
needed to
work on.
Seminar will
help me in
finding right
way to do
right thing at
right time.
After
listening to
advices and
suggestions of
experts of
management
field I would
be able to
identify and
improvise
those areas on
which I am
needed to
work the most,
that too in
such manner
that will have
long lasting
impact on my
personality.
Relevance of
having good
communication
skills is
undoubted in
field of
management. A
manager is not
only employee
of organisation
but a leader for
its sub-
ordinates and a
representative
of organisation
before clients
and outsiders.
Thus it is
imperative for
him to have
efficient
communication
skills.
I expect to
develop these
skills in time
no less that 4
to 5 months.
6

long run.
This will be
supported by
sessions and
lectures of
experts and
experienced
person of
concerned
field.
Team spirit-
Team spirit is
necessary as a
manger or as an
employee of
organisation I
would be
needed to work
with other
employees
working in same
organisation and
also with those
under same
department,
with whom I
will have share
work,
responsibilities
and
accountabilities.
I have
identified
team spirit as
medium
term goals.
This have
decided to
develop
while
working in
particular
organisation
in
professional
life. Only
there I will
be able to
understand
proper
environment
of work and
While some
sort of team
spirit can be
developed in
training period
also. But in
training there
is a mixture of
professional
and personal
communicatio
n and also
organisational
environment is
not exactly
found. Thus,
in professional
life will get all
what I am
required to
develop this
There I will be
able to easily
and
specifically
identify what
deviations are
there in my
attitude to
grow team
spirit, while
working with
other
employees.
Relevance of
working in
team spirit is
necessary to
establish
coordination
with similar
and subordinate
employees.
With help of
this spirit I will
not only share
work
responsibilities
with them but
also get to
know them
better as a
human being
and an
environment
I identified
this skill as
medium-term
goal to be
developed
within next
two years.
7

Thus need of
coordination is
inevitable.
tendencies of
employees
thereon
pragmaticall
y.
quality. Also,
environment
differs from
firm to firm
and country to
country.
will establish of
enjoying while
working.
Analytical
skills-
Analytical skills
are qualities
with help of
which I could be
making and
giving scientific
reasoning to
every work and
purpose that I
will be
encountering in
my work
experience by
passage of time.
Analytical
skills are
toughest to
develop in
new joiners.
These
qualities gets
inculcated
with
experience
as one face
different
type of
responsibiliti
es with time
and move
higher ranks
in
organisation.
Although,
analytical
skills do not
have any
standard
criteria of
measurement,
as everyone
have their own
levels and
parameters of
establishing
reasoning. The
only
measurements
are efficacy of
results. Thus
with
experience one
can find
effective ways
of making
right analysis
at right time in
As this could
better be
gained from
work
experience, I
set it as long
term goals.
Experience is
best teacher in
this way.
Facing
different
responsibilitie
s, meeting new
people,
encountering
new
challenges are
best ways to
develop
analytical
skills.
Relevance of
these skills is
more at higher
levels or
designations in
organisations.
At these levels
all planning
and strategic
works are done.
Also these
authorities
make analysis
of results, find
deviations and
set different
ways of
meeting targets.
As long term
objective I
have to
develop these
qualities in
more than 5
years.
8

right way.
Decision
making- These
skills are
important in
professional and
personal life
both. From
these skills I
will be able to
make my own
decisions which
is best suitable
for me under
particular
circumstances.
Also, these
skills will allow
me to establish
my stance in
different
situations.
I have
identified
this as short
term goal,
because
these skills
are
requirements
of current as
well as
future needs
of mine. I
decided to
develop
these skills
through
developing
my
knowledge,
information
and by
diversifying
my thought
process.
Also through
good
observations.
By this I can
be
establishing
Best way to
measure
efficacy of
decisions is to
make them,
after good
analysis and
observations.
In case any
wrong
decisions are
taken, I will
eventually
learn from
them.
I am needed to
start working
on decision
making right
onwards.
Where I will
be making my
own decisions
and learning
from wrong
ones. This is
important to
develop before
entering
professional
life, because
there I cannot
afford top
make wrong
decisions.
Relevance of
decision
making is seen
in personal as
well as
professional
life. For having
my own
outlook and
perception
towards
different
matters, there is
need to have
my own stance
and decisions.
Also, at higher
levels in
professional
life I cannot
depend over
decisions of
others.
This quality
is to be
developed at
priority
within 1 year.
9

clear
differences
between
right and
wrong.
Problem
solving-
Problem solving
approach is the
process of
finding
solutions in my
own way
through my
observations,
analysis and
decisions.
This quality
can be best
developed
with the help
of other
qualities like
observation
skills,
communicati
on and
decision
making
skills. Also,
for efficient
development
of these
qualities it is
needed to
face
problems is
real terms.
For measuring
efficacy in
problem
solving, I am
needed to
confront them
and solve
them with in
my approach.
This quality
will turn
actionable
once I start
pursuing my
career
professionally,
face
challenges and
problems and
try solving
them in my
own. Also,
then I could
grown my
efficiency in
solving
different
problems.
Relevance of
this skill is
more
happening in
real
professional
terms, where
while
undertaking my
job roles and
responsibilities,
I would need to
solve different
problems
coming in way.
This is set as
medium term
goal by me,
as it could be
much
developed on
the job.
Therefore,
next 2 to 5
years are
sufficient to
inculcate this
quality.
Technical skills-
in the field of
management
although one is
Technical
skills,
required in
management
Efficacy of
these skills are
measurable
through results
Technical
skills are
better
implemented
Technical
required in
management
field are basic
These skills
are needed to
be learnt at
very initial
10

not needed to
have deep
technical
knowledge, but
basic are
required like
working on
computer, basics
of marketing
technologies
available,
production
related
techniques etc.
job are basic
and can
better be
developed in
training
period.
of training
period.
while
undertaking
job
professionally.
They are
learnt
sufficiently in
training
period. Also
for new
technical skills
that are
required by
changes in
time can also
be learnt
through
training and
development
processes.
they are as
useful as any
other skill
required for
manager.
Technical skills
allows manger
to perform their
tasks in
efficient and
timely manner.
stages before
entering job
profession.
Thus they are
needed to
learnt as
earliest as
possible.
11

TASK 2
These kinds of reports and plans become important in consideration of needs arose by
modern development scenarios. It gives an individual a chance to make best analysis of oneself,
that what I have done so far, what are my strengths and weaknesses, what qualities I am lacking
that are directly related to my future goals, what is needed to improve within me specifically,
what qualities do I already possess and at what time and at what priorities. This is truly required
by any student in life to make self-assessment of himself or herself. Self-assessment allows one
to pursue career in planned manner and through right approach. In the process of preparing this
plan, it required me to make analysis of my learnings as a student in past as well as present.
Because of this I recalled many learnings that I gained in school life and college life. I made
those basics align with current knowledge I am gaining in higher studies. I decided to retain it
by help of notes. With the help of SWOT, I made a thorough analysis of myself, which I
consider no less than introspection of myself. This task improved my understanding about how I
could make a reasonable and quick analysis of my present stand in future also. Self-assessment
should be seen not only as method of achieving career goals but as method of continued
improvisations in life of personal and professional skills, this understanding I have developed
while making professional and personal development plan. Action plan helped me well bifurcate
skills that I am required to develop in near and long future and also through this I could identify
what steps are needed in specific directions. In this way now I am able to take correct and timely
decision. Proper planning about my future on records, with help of this plan are now well
segregated by me as well as strategically prioritised. While preparing this plan I also had many
valuable discussions with my professors, old teachers, friends and family, who provided valuable
advices which are not only helpful in career planning but also offered be precious insights which
I consider full of enlightenment.
12

CONCLUSION
At the end, it can be concluded that personal and professional development planning is a
very crucial need of modern times, as modern times are full of zeal, speed, hustle and dynamic.
For students, like report developer, are left with multiple options to pursue their career, where
they can achieve desirable success, they get very confused between these options and also
between various advices they seek from different people they consider important. This confusion
or dilemma is attributed to the fact that students are not very able to identify and clarify their
skills they actually possess and also that they can develop with time, with help of well
established approaches. Requirements of modern time also suggest that one, in path of career
development, need to avail various skills directly or indirectly related to career development as
well as personal development. Here, role of Personal and Professional development plan gets
increased.
13

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bennett-Levy, J., 2019. Why therapists should walk the talk: The theoretical and empirical case
for personal practice in therapist training and professional development. Journal of
behavior therapy and experimental psychiatry, 62. pp.133-145.
Damianakis, T. and et.al., 2020. Transformative learning in graduate education: masters of social
work students’ experiences of personal and professional learning. Studies in Higher
Education, 45(9). pp.2011-2029.
Blankvoort, N. and et.al., 2019. Higher education students’ experiences of a short-term
international programme: Exploring cultural competency and professional development.
Educational Research, 61(3). pp.356-370.
Morales, A.R., 2018. Within and beyond a grow-your-own-teacher program: Documenting the
contextualized preparation and professional development experiences of critically
conscious Latina teachers. Teaching Education, 29(4). pp.357-369.
Bornman, J. and Louw, B., 2019. Personal commitment statements: encouraging the clinical
application of continuing professional development events for health practitioners in
low-and middle-income countries. Journal of Continuing Education in the Health
Professions, 39(2). pp.86-91.
Jamil, F. M., Linder, S. M. and Stegelin, D. A., 2018. Early childhood teacher beliefs about
STEAM education after a professional development conference. Early Childhood
Education Journal, 46(4). pp.409-417.
Drude, K. P., Maheu, M. and Hilty, D .M., 2019. Continuing Professional Development:
Reflections on a Lifelong Learning Process. Psychiatric Clinics, 42(3). pp.447-461.
Busby, B.D. and Harshman, J., 2021. Program elements’ impact on chemistry doctoral students’
professional development: a longitudinal study. Chemistry Education Research and
Practice.
Barone, M. A., Vercio, C. and Jirasevijinda, T., 2019. Supporting the development of
professional identity in the Millennial learner. Pediatrics, 143(3).
Allen, L. M. and et.al., 2020. Applying a social theory of learning to explain the possible impacts
of continuing professional development (CPD) programs. Medical Teacher, 42(10).
pp.1140-1147.
Bossio, D. and et.al., 2020. Social media managers as intermediaries: negotiating the personal
and professional in organisational communication. Communication Research and
Practice, 6(2). pp.95-110.
Ragan, D. D., 2018. A Structured Course for Personal and Professional Development. Honors in
Practice, 14. pp.43-57.
Maggioli, G. D., 2020. Continuous Professional Development: The Seeds of Professionalism. In
Professionalizing Your English Language Teaching (pp. 253-262). Springer, Cham.
Sato, T. and Haegele, J. A., 2017. Professional development in adapted physical education with
graduate web-based professional learning. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy,
22(6). pp.618-631.
Cook, R. J. and et.al., 2017. Online professional learning networks: A viable solution to the
professional development dilemma. Journal of Special Education Technology, 32(2).
pp.109-118.
14

15