Reflective Report on Professional Development and Career Goals

This reflective report details a student's self-assessment, focusing on self-awareness, online presence, professional networking, and job interview experiences. The report emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in identifying strengths and weaknesses, and how this understanding informs career decisions. It discusses the development of an online presence, aligning personal and professional qualities with career aspirations in the fashion industry. The report also covers strategies for effective networking, preparing for job interviews, and insights gained from an interview with a fashion industry professional. The student reflects on past experiences, identifies areas for improvement, and outlines future goals, including establishing a personal fashion brand. The report highlights the need for continuous learning, adaptability to industry trends, and the development of strong communication and presentation skills.

REFLECTIVE REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART 1............................................................................................................................................3
Self- Awareness...........................................................................................................................3
Online Presence...........................................................................................................................4
Professional Network...................................................................................................................5
Job Interview...............................................................................................................................5
Interview......................................................................................................................................6
PART 4............................................................................................................................................7
Professional Profile and its statistics growth...............................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

PART 1
Self- Awareness
Self awareness and evaluation can be probably categorised as the most important tool or
aspect in the growth where it is important to be aware of the advantages as well as disadvantages
that I possess as an individual so that I can take better decisions for myself. Self awareness also
plays a key role in identifying the areas where I need to focus on myself and my development
altogether. I am basically a very strong headed person with self reliance and determination over
my abilities. I work hard where I keep myself updated and aware of the changes around me and I
am also disciplined in the work that I do (Baron and Pletsch, 2019). For instance, if I have
deadlines of completing a certain work today, then there is 95% chance that I will complete the
work well in advance before the deadline. I am also extremely intelligent as a student because I
have chosen an industry and course that is in accordance with my hobby and interest which
makes the entire process very creative for me.
Although currently, I am an student but I am extremely ambitious for my expansion in the
fashion industry where I intend to make my own name and label in the market. I currently focus
on the development of the necessary skills and contacts or resources that are extremely essential
in the fashion industry. while still studying as a student, I am focusing keenly on the changing
trends in the fashion industry, the varying tastes of the consumers and most importantly the
styles and comfort level in the fashion that is being promoted by the fashion icons throughout the
world (Fassler and O’Donnell, 2020). This helps me in monitoring the latest fashion ideas and
how they are evolving with time where today comfort has been included predominantly in the
styling being done.
However, in future I want to establish myself prominently in the fashion industry by
starting my own brand. For this I not only need vast contacts and recognitions in the industry but
I will also need to be expert in my work with an eye for detail and creativity. This is the sole
strategy that will make my work and products recognised and accepted. Also, I plan to work
extensively on my communication skills and presentation skills because I need to learn to read
facial expressions of the people and know their thought process. This will help me immensely in
the achievement of the goal that I have set up for myself.
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Therefore, these are the aspects of self- awareness that I have developed for myself at
present and the ones that I plan to develop in future so that I can address the key requirements on
a professional, academic as well as personal level in my life and career.
Online Presence
In today’s digital age, it is necessary to develop an influential online presence on the social
media and digital media platforms accordingly which will help in making people know you and
your views accordingly. I have tried to develop my online presence extensively over the couple
years where I have presented my professional aspects and qualities as extremely well developed
on the online platforms (Wieczorek, Smith and Denning, 2020). I have ensured that the qualities
and achievements that I have presented on my online accounts reflect my true self i.e. I have not
over emphasised my abilities and skill and have tried to maintain it in a measured and controlled
manner. Since I have developed my aim and ultimate objective right from the beginning, i.e. to
develop a fashion brand of myself and excel in this fashion industry, my online profile also
exactly mirrors this sentiment. I have strongly presented my qualities as an entrepreneur and the
strong mindset that I have as an individual which is extremely necessary for setting up one’s own
business. Additionally, the characteristics that I portray as an individual are also similar to my
actual personality i.e. I am an individual with strong opinion and I know how to present my point
of view without demeaning another person’s viewpoint. This is the characteristic that I have
portrayed on online platforms also where I actively engage in discussions and debates where I try
to present my opinion as clearly as possible and this attribute has been praised many a times by
different fellow participants.
In order to further develop my online profiles in a better manner so that they become more
attractive and are able to attract the attention of the desired people, I need to portray my ambition
and jest in a more detailed and exuberant manner (Bennett, 2019). I need to develop a detailed
action plan and this needs to be planned and very creative. I intend to present at regular intervals
and in appropriate scenarios my different creations and ideas so that I can aptly describe my
point or idea. Additionally, I will also engage in different competitions, shout outs to fellow
fashion industry aspirants etc. where I will participate and post everything very frequently. I also
tend to focus on content i.e. quality rather than quantity or quantum. This is because it is very
difficult to make my voice heard or my ideas stand out amongst the myriad of equally unique
and creative ideas that circulate on social media or on online platforms as well.
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Professional Network
In order to prepare before a network event, it is extremely necessary to engage in certain
activities which can help in the preparation and establishment of excellent networks online as
well as offline. Before every network event, I tend to identify first of all my targeted audience
that I need to attract and communication with at any cost and then I also work on my content that
I am going to present. I try to be real so that I do not appear to be too fake or a person who is not
natural in their way (Sherman, 2017). For this, I specifically observe the trends and topics of
interest so that I can ascertain the key communicators which I have to engage in. Rather than
creating a charged atmosphere, I tend to be more practical and relaxed around the people where I
let conversations flow rather than imposing them on anybody. Additionally, I also try to
communicate with everyone rather than sticking out to two three key persons only. This helps me
in gaining the necessary insight from every perspective where I am able to keenly make
conversations more interesting with this inside knowledge. According to my belief, the key to
attract people is to remain positive, confident, calm and collected and poised during the entire
event. When one is confident and sure of what they are speaking, people automatically tend to
listen to them. This is the key strategy that helps in attracting people. I believe that the main
difference that arises between online and offline event is that exposure and confidence of a
person is really tested in offline events because there you get to analyse everything from dressing
sense to body language, confidence etc. which is not very easily verifiable in online events
(Lundsteen, 2017). But on the other hand, the reach on online events and capability to network is
much wider in context of online events.
In order to establish myself firmly in my chosen industry and to begin developing contacts
right from the beginning, I will try to assimilate as many contacts as possible mainly through
online mechanisms. For instance, by developing my profile on LinkedIn, I will be able to
connect with my influencers and important people that will be most beneficial for me in the
creation of better and excellent contacts.
Job Interview
Preparing for job interview is an intricate process where an individual needs to work on
themselves in a detailed manner. In order to get ready, it is essential that the resume and CV is
properly prepared with all the latest and relevant details included (Williams, Fulcher and
Dinwiddie, 2019). Additionally, it is also important to match the online description that an
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individual has given with their offline behaviour and demeanour. In order to be successful, one
should not be over- confident and smug but rather be intelligent and confident where there are
many tricky situations which must be understood by the person. Additionally, it is also important
to understand and observe the facial expression of the interviewer because it really helps in
understanding what they are thinking. In order to stand out from the crowd, the key strategy is to
remain confident and give smart answers so that one is able to gain respect amongst the
interviewers as well as the fellow candidates simultaneously. Till now, I have positioned myself
in this situation only once and I know that I made multiple mistakes at that time where I failed to
prepare my resume in a smart manner and stated all the facts in a raw manner rather than
composing the data in a presentable manner (Ryder, 2019).
Additionally, I was also exceedingly nervous and many smart ways to answer a question
popped to me well after the interview was actually over. This made me learn that I need to
develop wit and presence of mind so that I can grab the opportunity right when it arises and I
will thoroughly implement it in future as well. I am deeply inspired by the work that is being
done by the fashion industry expert Robert Taylor who has significantly brought many changes
in the trends of fashion industry and has also changed the manner in which fashion and its
models are perceived in the market.
Therefore, in this manner, I am preparing for my job interviews in future.
Interview
Interview session with a Fashion Industry Professional (Mr Robert Tylor)
 Question: How do you stay up to date regarding fashion?
 Answer: Mr Robert replied that I always read magazines, browse the internet, attend fashion
shows through which I always keep myself up to date about fashion trends.
 Question: How would you define your personal style?
 Answer: I genuinely like to wear elegant clothes instead of vibrant. I follow a simple style in
which I can feel comfortable and the unique way of making simple clothes cool and trendy.
 Question 3: What is your favourite part about being a fashion designer?
 Answer: I love to sketch every day and I really enjoy all of the artistic, creativity and
technical aspects of designing of my clothing?
Summary:
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With this interview session, I learned that a person should be highly dedicated for their
career with a positive attitude then the person can become a good fashion designer in the fashion
industry. While asking the interview question, I realized that I need to improve my personality
and enhance my knowledge then I can put more effort into my career (Fiore and Testa, 2019). I
learned that I should have knowledge to make myself presentable. Either my clothes are simple
or vibrant but I have sense to make them cool and fashionable so that anyone is tempted to
follow that fashion. To keep my up to date for the fashion trend, I have decided I will read
fashion magazines, browse the internet, attend seminars related to fashion shows that will expand
my knowledge and make me dedicated to my career.
PART 4
Professional Profile and its statistics growth
I can evidently say that the growth of my online network is mainly through the increase in
the number of people that I am able to influence and affect. I am also able to analyse how the
comments and likes can increase and for this I try to post relevant and original content that is
interesting to read rather that posting anything just for the sake of posting. I also tend to keep
things creative rather than routine and try to engage with audience regularly. Recently, my
contacts, posts that have been re shared, comment and likes etc. all have grown immensely in the
recent days where I am able to target and connect with a larger segment than before.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Baron, S.H. and Pletsch, C. eds., 2019. Introspection in biography: The biographer's quest for
self-awareness. Routledge.
Bennett, S., 2019. Increasing Employment Outcomes for Individuals with Disabilities.
Fassler, A. and O’Donnell, N., 2020. Quest For True Equality Through Empathy and Self-
Awareness/Regulation Education.
Fiore, A.M.M. and Testa, D.S., 2019, December. A Fashion Trend Forecasting Course as a
Gateway to Career Discovery. In International Textile and Apparel Association Annual
Conference Proceedings (Vol. 76, No. 1). Iowa State University Digital Press.
Lundsteen, N., 2017. Building Your Professional Network. A Career Guide for Scientists, p.139.
Ryder, M., 2019. CR 05: Preparing for the Opening Interview Question.
Sherman, R.O., 2017. Building a professional network. Nurse Leader, 15(2), pp.80-81.
Wieczorek, A., Smith, A. and Denning, J., 2020. The Relationship Between a Job Applicant's
Online Presence and Employment Suitability.
Williams, B., Fulcher, L. and Dinwiddie, L., 2019. Why Would You Hire You? Preparing for a
Successful Job Interview. American String Teacher, 69(1), pp.29-33.
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