Reflective Portfolio: Challenges, Skill Gaps, and Action Plan Analysis

This report presents a reflective portfolio analyzing a student's experiences and skills development. It begins with an introduction to reflective portfolios, highlighting their importance in assessing practical application of knowledge. The main body then delves into the analysis of challenges faced during various activities, including apprentice and presentation scenarios, and a t-shirt design challenge. The discussion of skills identifies areas for improvement, such as communication, teamwork, time management, and business acumen. An action plan is proposed, outlining specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound steps for skill enhancement. The conclusion summarizes key findings and emphasizes the need for continuous self-assessment and skill development for career growth. References to relevant literature are provided to support the analysis and recommendations.

Portfolio and Skills
Reflection

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................3
Analysis of challenges.................................................................................................................3
Discussion of skills......................................................................................................................4
Action Plan..................................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Reflective portfolio is the combination of writings that conclude the vision and experience
students by which leg and hands and gained lot of knowledge through their practical
assignments. It is useful for students in order to assess the involvement of individuals in the field
work and also use the ability towards the theoretical knowledge in the applied setting. The
portfolio is developed in many forms considering the extended written piece notebook, short
writings, documentary evidence and so on (Carl and Strydom, 2017). Reflective portfolio
consider various contents that varies according to the discipline in general content and also
consider the short written pieces that summarise and reflect the practical and theoretical
experience of students regarding the work placements. In relation with this reflective portfolio
consider the sample of work journal entries critical incident reports evidence of achievement and
personal statement. In the context of students they feel that reflective portfolio is useful for them
for the academic development rather than traditional assignments as it allows them to enhance
their critical awareness of their own skills which is useful in identifying the strength and
weaknesses (Tutticci, Lewis and Coyer, 2016).
MAIN BODY
Analysis of challenges
In relation with this reflective report consider various challenges during various activities.
In this context few prominent challenges are discussed as under:
Apprentice challenge: By considering the project it is analysed that apprentice can become
major challenge for me at the time of induction and leads to loss the development of team. At the
time of induction testing skills and business acumen go hand in hand in order to impress the
selection panel. These challenges are faced by me at the time of working within an organisation
as I cannot provide proper induction and training to the new to employees and candidates who
gets hired within an organisation due to lack of communication skills (Lam, 2018). In this
context each team complete the set of number of challenge with various apprentice that leads
another way. By considering this challenge I face various problems considering the innovative
invention regarding the use of materials in order to create working prototype, marketing plan by
which I cannot describe about the services and policies of company which can attract the target
market and trashy fashion. In relation with this apprentice challenge can also useful in improving

the communication also motivate creativity innovative thinking business skills budget control
team spirit sense of achievement and time management.
Presentation challenge: Presentation describes an art that need proper preparation and
practice as it considered various careful planning and designing tricks which is useful in gaining
attention of audience in few seconds (O’Brien and et. al., 2016). I am working in an organization
and also create highly memorable presentation by properly increasing myself and also lead to
develop my presentation skills through various programs. But in this context the biggest problem
that crop up my presentation skills is excessive nervousness that leads to reduce my confidence
level. In relation with this various issues are concerned with being memorable and offering clear
message. Moreover the probable salary is associated with offline presentation is keeping an
audience engaged in it and also develop and deliver compelling call to the actions (Jordan and
Bak, 2016). In this point it is important to channel into the active presence of product
development system in order to see the brand and of a new program by covering prominent
aspects of presentation in terms of creation and delivery. In addition to this because of the lack of
communication skill I cannot properly give answers to the questions of clients and can become
most common mistake with the public speaking. Lastly the emotional connection with the
audience by sharing my personal experience can leads to enhance my speech but for this I need
to give proper referencing to a case study I need to communicate with them by telling my
personal story. For this I need to get sure regarding the explanation of past achievements in order
to develop credibility.
T-shirt challenge: My considering this challenge it is analyzed that within the organization
and activity is conducted in which I need to design a t-shirt with few creative designs and also
color it in order to attract most of the customers towards the t-shirt. In terms of this it also
become a major challenge for me as I cannot manage my time for the formation of T-shirts in
proper manner by which I face failure. Because of this time management and team working
becomes major challenge for me in order to manage whole task in define the manner (Clarke and
Boud, 2018).
Discussion of skills
By analysing the above challenges it is determined that I am lack in few skills by which I
faced failure and various activities can become challenge for me. As in regard with this the
discussion of those skills are mentioned as under:

Communication skills: By considering the above part I came to know that I am weak in
communication skills that lead to influence my overall performance and can become threat for
my career development. In relation with this because of the lack of communication skills I
cannot communicate with my team Associates that can break the production and communication
chain by which we can face decrement in productivity and in performance level as well (Körkkö,
Kyrö-Ämmälä and Turunen, 2016). In addition to this I also need to become stronger in terms of
emotions and feelings as it cannot impact my performance. But in terms of this I am quite weak
in emotions and more easily show my feelings and anger in front of anyone. In this context I
need to enhance this skill in order to achieve success and growth for my career.
Teamwork: By discussing the prominent challenges it is analysed that I am weak in team
working as I cannot collaboratively work with many people. Reason behind this is lack of
coordination and collaboration skills. In this context it can impact my career development as bi
this I would not be involved in any team work activity in future because of lack of this skill and
in relation with this I need to improve this to achieve career development and enhancement
(Morreale and Zile-Tamsen, 2017). In this context I determined the lack of this kill as I would
not corporate with any individual and also does not support their decisions as I am more
personalized and believes in competition of only my work. Because of lack of this skill it leads to
impact the performance of whole team and delay in production process.
Time management and meeting skills: In this context it is analysed to that I am also weak
in time management and meeting skills as I cannot manage many tasks at one time. In relation
with this I need to become multitasking to get hike in my career development and leads to
improve my performance (Ching and et. al., 2016). In addition to this I am also we can
communication considering my expressions hand gestures by which I feel under confident in
order to meet with other individual that can decrease my confidence level and bring demotivation
that impacts my performance and career development. In this context I need to improve this is
skill by attending various seminars and workshops and also set all time goal in which I should
develop this skill as taking too much time for the enhancement can impact my career growth.
Business skills and competencies developed: It describe the overall business skills
considering managerial presentation apprentice and uses of Technology. In this context I need to
develop this skill by taking proper training are pursuing any course or diploma that leads to bring
hike in my knowledge and learning and also offer clear career path (Baird, Gamble and

Sidebotham, 2016). In relation with this it also describe the management of people which I
cannot do effectively as I could not analyse the performance and skills of various people.
Moreover considering the business skills I should carry the knowledge and understanding about
finances and accounting which are important to work in an organisation. Therefore describe the
property development and enhancement of skills considering the various aspects of
developmental areas like technology marketing Finance Management and so on.
Action Plan
Development Area Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Timely
Communication
skills
To increase my
skills I need to
take suggestions
and opinions of
other
individuals
more seriously
as it is useful in
career
development.
In this context, I
need to take
survey from
many people
regarding the
weak areas and
work on it.
In order to
achieve this skill,
I need to develop
communication
many individuals
and also develop
healthy relations
with them which
is useful in
developing and
achieving those
key areas in with I
am lack and also
need to become
stronger regarding
my emotions.
In terms of this,
only thing I can
do is talking
with many
people as much
as I can as it
leads to develop
my confidence.
To improve
these skills the
required time
is minimum 2
months.
Teamwork Develop
relation with
many people
and also
develop my
comfort level to
work with team
in more
efficient
manner.
For this,
performance
standards are
used by me to
measure and use
tools to assess
the
development.
In relation with
this, I need to take
participate in team
working projects
and develop
prominent
relations with
team associates to
work with them in
more easy way.
Working with
so many people
helps me in
developing
these skills and
leads to bring
openness in my
nature in order
to achieve more
attributes that is
required to
To develop
this skill it
would take
around 7
months.

effectively work
within a team.
Time management
and meeting skills
Manage my
time in more
prominent way
by which I can
perform various
tasks at same
time.
Performing
various tasks at
same time is
useful for me in
measuring this
skill and
achieves success
and
improvement.
In relation with
this, I should
work with many
projects under
various managers
as they should
delegate different
task at same time
that boosts up my
mind and bring
healthy
confidence in me
to interact with
my people and
perform various
functions at a
time.
Performing
various tasks at
same time leads
to develop my
skills in various
key areas that is
better for my
career
development
and
improvement as
by this I can
achieve proper
growth and
success in my
whole career.
To develop
this skill it
would take
around 1 year
to understand
and perform
various tasks
at one time.
Business skills and
competencies
developed
To develop my
presentation and
technological
skills to become
competent to
perform various
tasks.
Supervisors, top
level authority
and clients will
measure my
success criteria
of this skill in
terms of their
overall
satisfaction.
In order to
develop this skill,
I need to pursue
prominent course
and diploma for
the personality
development and
technology
advancement that
leads to develop
my skill.
Giving as much
presentations
and excessive
usage of excel
leads is quite
relevant to
develop this
skill.
Required time
to develop this
skill is around
4 months.
CONCLUSION
Therefore from the preceding reflection it is analysed that in order to work in an
organisation and being a member in a project I face various challenges because of the lack of my
skills that can become a major issue and hurdle in my overall career development. By
considering this the challenges include the lack of knowledge about apprentice presentation and

a new challenge includes the t-shirt challenge which describes the lack of time management.
Along with this analysis of skills is also demonstrated on the basis of challenges by which do the
skills are analyse in which improvement is required. Along with this an action plan is developed
with the smart criteria to enhance and improve those prominent skills for the development of
career.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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Education. 37(1).
Ching, Y.H and et. al., 2016. Enhancing graduate students’ reflection in e-portfolios using the
TPACK framework. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology. 32(5).
Clarke, J.L. and Boud, D., 2018. Refocusing portfolio assessment: Curating for feedback and
portrayal. Innovations in education and teaching international. 55(4). pp.479-486.
Jordan, C. and Bak, O., 2016. The growing scale and scope of the supply chain: a reflection on
supply chain graduate skills. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal.
Körkkö, M., Kyrö-Ämmälä, O. and Turunen, T., 2016. Professional development through
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Lam, R., 2018. Promoting self-reflection in writing: A showcase portfolio approach.
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1560.
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fidelity simulation: A pilot study. Nurse Education in practice. 18. pp.52-59.