Academic Skills and PDP Report - Personal and Professional Development

This report provides a detailed analysis of academic skills and the Personal Development Plan (PDP) in the context of personal and professional growth. It explores the concepts of personal and professional development, emphasizing the value of short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals. The report outlines the importance of setting these goals for achieving desired outcomes and shaping one's attitude. Furthermore, it discusses the factors of author, purpose, reliability, and relevance in evaluating the use of a source. The report incorporates references to academic journals and books to support its findings and conclusions. The report also includes a personal development plan in the appendix to help aid in the development of the reader.

Academic Skills and PDP

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................3
TASK ONE................................................................................................................................3
Concept of personal and professional development...............................................................3
Value of short-term goals.......................................................................................................3
Value of medium-term goals..................................................................................................3
Value of long-term goals........................................................................................................4
Personal Development Plan...................................................................................................4
TASK TWO...............................................................................................................................4
Author, Purpose, Reliability and Relevance’ affect the use of a source................................4
TASK THREE...........................................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION..........................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES...........................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
The academic skills and the Personal Development Plan (PDP) play an important
role in respect to the growth and development of a person in the academic as well as
professional career. This report provides an answer to the key concepts and topic in relation
to the personal and professional development.
TASK ONE
Concept of personal and professional development
The personal development refers to the activities which are undertaken by the
individual in order to develop personal capabilities and enhancing the potential which results
into building human capital. Personal development mainly takes place during the entire
lifespan of the individual (Shagrir, 2017). On the other hand, professional development
accounts for the learning which helps an individual in excel in the career which helps in
earning better and maintaining a professional credentials. It also involves the academic
formal degrees, coursework, attending conferences along with the other informal learning
opportunities which is being situated in the practice. In order words, it refers to the enhancing
and developing the skills which will be advantageous in the future career growth prospects.
Value of short-term goals
The short-term goals can be considered as the small milestone in order to reach to
the long-term goals of the life. Short term goals are mainly considered to be an outcome
which an individual wants to accomplish within 12 months of time. There are number of
benefits of putting short term goals which helps in maintaining focus on the path which help
in effectively meeting up with the long-term targets (Harker, O'Toole and Sassen, 2018).
Dividing the goals into different parts and prioritizing it, helps in maintaining a consistent
and better understanding about the main objective. In addition to this, gaining instant and
insightful feedback also provides assistance to the individual in competing short term goals
which is considered to be most valuable asset. Three short term personal goals are: time
management, learning problem solving skills and enhancing research skills. These skills are
useful in personal as well as professional development of an individual.
Value of medium-term goals
The medium-term goals help in better development of an individual through the way
of providing longer time which will help in observing significant progress in one and is also
short enough that an individual can accomplish the set goals. It mainly involves everything
which can individual wants to accomplish in between 1 to 5 years (Behari-Leak, 2017). It is

very important to have medium term planning as it helps in providing direction to an
individual in respect to where he or she wants to go in that time frame. This is a part of
accomplishing the long-term desired goals. But is important to understand that the medium
term goals should be based upon sound assumptions and reasonable in terms of
accomplishment. Three medium term personal goals are: Effective communication skills,
critical thinking, gaining industrial experience.
Value of long-term goals
The long-term goals are very crucial for the purpose of gaining happiness. These
goals direct an individual actions and along with that it provides a sense of purpose to the
people. It supports in shaping one’s attitude in regard to the objects, people or the situations
surrounding them. The major benefit of setting long term goal is that it helps the individual in
heading towards the right direction (Lawrence and Hall, 2018). By setting up clear goals
helps in preparing for all the possible barriers or the setbacks which might occur in the way
of accomplishing the end goals. Through this, all the necessary skills which is essential for
meeting the goals can be attained and also gain support from the people who can help in
making the journey more memorable. Three long term personal goals are: learning leadership
skills, improving the efficiency and learning organizational skills.
Personal Development Plan
Attached in appendix of assignment 2.
TASK TWO
Author, Purpose, Reliability and Relevance’ affect the use of a source
The core objective or aim behind the source is important to be determined which
helps in gaining an insight whether the sources used is able to meet with the desired aims and
objectives (Wilkins, Hazzam and Lean, 2021). Along with that, whether the source is right
and accurate and relied upon the sources, theories, it has used in meeting with the objective.
In terms of relevance, it is important to understand whether the information gathered is in
respect to the topic of study or not and will add value or not.
TASK THREE
Author Purpose Reliability Relevance
Shagrir, L. Analyzing the
impact of
collaboration on
academic and
professional
development.
It is a journal which
involves applications
of various theories to
the topic.
It is highly relevant
to the report plan in
respect to the topic.

Harker, K.R.,
O'Toole, E. and
Sassen, C.
Important for
academic
professional
development.
It is reliable because
it is published after
evaluation.
It is relevant because
it is particularly
related to the study.
Behari-Leak, K. Impact of new
education on
professional
development.
Again, part of
journal which fully
reviewed before
publishing it.
It is in respect to
professional
development.
Lawrence, J. and
Hall, G.
Perceived value of
the academic and
professional
development
practices.
It clearly states the
concepts and
theories used.
It states about the
value attached to
professional
development.
Wilkins, S.,
Hazzam, J. and
Lean, J.
Professional
development for an
academic career in
higher education
It is reliable because
it is published after
evaluation.
It is relevant because
it is particularly
related to the study.
Parker, I. Academic Discipline
in professional
practice.
Involves application
of key concepts
related to the topic.
Provides an insight
about the topic.
Cleary, A., Cohen,
P. and Delaney, M.
Enhancing teaching
and learning
practices.
It has been reviewed
before getting
published.
Provides better and
relevant information
on personal and
professional
development.
Loads, D. Professional
Development
Activities
It is specifically
related to the topic.
It is highly relevant
to the report plan in
respect to the topic.
CONCLUSION
Thus, it can be concluded that academic skills and the personal and professional
development are very important in order to meet with the desired goals and objectives. And
bifurcating the goals into short, medium and long makes it very easy.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Behari-Leak, K., 2017. New academics, new higher education contexts: A critical perspective
on professional development. Teaching in Higher Education, 22(5), pp.485-500.
Cleary, A., Cohen, P. and Delaney, M., 2019. Enhancing teaching and learning in Irish
academic libraries: Stories of professional artistry. L2L.
Harker, K. R., O'Toole, E. and Sassen, C., 2018. Assessing an academic library professional
development program. portal: Libraries and the Academy, 18(1), pp.199-223.
Lawrence, J. and Hall, G., 2018. Understanding the provision and perceived value of the
academic and professional development practices of HE teachers in College-Based
Higher Education (CHE). Research in Post-Compulsory Education, 23(4), pp.437-
462.
Loads, D., 2019. Rich Pickings: Creative Professional Development Activities for University
Lecturers. Brill Sense.
Parker, I., 2020. Psychology Through Critical Auto-Ethnography: Academic Discipline,
Professional Practice and Reflexive History. Routledge.
Shagrir, L., 2017. Collaborating with colleagues for the sake of academic and professional
development in higher education. International Journal for Academic
Development, 22(4), pp.331-342.
Wilkins, S., Hazzam, J. and Lean, J., 2021. Doctoral publishing as professional development
for an academic career in higher education. The International Journal of
Management Education, 19(1), p.100459.