University of Liverpool PRSK4048 Professional Skills Portfolio Project

This professional skills portfolio, submitted by a student, addresses key aspects of professional development within a specific industry. Task 1 focuses on creating a guide for fellow students on achieving graduate success, covering current employment trends, and offering tips, supported by citations and references. Task 2 identifies and evaluates obstacles to graduate success, proposing strategies for overcoming them, including interpersonal, critical thinking, and practical skills. The portfolio also includes an appendix detailing the student's long-term vision, outlining aspirations for their career and work-life balance, and assessing the importance of various aspects of their future. The document showcases the student's understanding of professional skills and career planning.

RESIT Professional Skills Portfolio (PRSK4048)
Name:
Student Number:
Lecturer Name:
This is your Professional Skills Portfolio. Please save a copy on your computer and back it up regularly (e.g. by
saving it on your computer / in the cloud (e.g. Google Drive) / emailing it to yourself. At the end of the course,
you need to submit a completed electronic copy via Turnitin. Please refer to suggested word counts for each
task included within this portfolio.
Assessed Learning Outcomes:
1. Understand and have knowledge of professional skills and continual awareness in a business
environment.
2. Use appropriate technologies to facilitate the completion of self-analysis/reflection.
3. To reflect, analyse and discuss strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities personally and
academically.
4. Understand, improve and reflect upon their own personal strengths in relation to the professional
environment.
A17

Task 1: Professional Skills in Your Industry (600 words) 3 
Task 2: Your Professional Skills (600 words) 4 ☐
Section 2: Portfolio Evidence
The Long-Term Vision (200-300 words) 5 ☐
Professional Skills Audit (400-500 words) 6 ☐
Professional Development Plan (100 words approx.) 8 ☐
Track your progress by ticking off each task as you complete it, in the final column.
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Task 1: Professional Skills in Your Industry (600 words)
Write a guide aimed at fellow students on the following topic:
How to Be Successful as a Graduate in {your degree}
The guide should cover of the following topics:
● Current trends in employment in the industry
● Tips for graduates to succeed in the industry
Write in full sentences and paragraphs and ensure you include 3 citations and 3 references. Law students
should use OSCOLA, all other students should use Harvard.
Graduate career and professional development are required for the career planning, managing and
developing skills and knowledge for the professional and career development. Professionalism is the
necessary element for the success of the any person in the professional world. But as we all know for
achieving anything there is need of specialized knowledge about the subject and dressing appropriately
according to the circumstances and situation. It may include the attribute such as the arriving time to
meeting, writing note materials during the graduation and participating in the event. Making decision
related to the problem solving and making the detail plan related projects. Keeping the knowledge and skills
up to date with the current topics. Being honest to the other workers, colleagues. Honouring commitment
and accountable for the words and the actions as well as being competent and being reliable in producing
the high quality work and meeting the deadlines. Making different management and planning skills on the
daily basis (Jones-Rikkers, 2014). Having emotional intelligence in communication and other skills like
listening activity and understanding the others emotional needs. There are many things which are
required by the person to build the professional skills such as mentoring, able to manage the project,
leadership and conflict resolution. All these are the key value added skills that the person may gain during
his professional life. During this period of time all these competences are gained by the person when they
are making efforts to earn their degree. Collaboration with the other colleagues and having leadership skills.
Monitoring the colleagues and managing the conflict over various issues and negotiating them. During the
last year making project of whatever studied so far and doing all arrangement for it. At last the productive
meeting management for effective work. The University of Liverpool was established in the year,
1903. It’s the public University established in Liverpool, Merseyside in UK. In UK, it was very common for
those who have the skills like enhanced language, presentation, communication, coping and team- working
skills to get best employee and was considered to be the best employer. Graduates studying without any
extra co-curricular activities and above mentioned skills were having the difficulties in finding the permanent
employment. This type of employers finds themselves in a great unwanted situation and without work, until
they have able to develop the above mentioned skills (Achua and Lussier, 2012). Enhancing the
interpersonal skills and intra-personal skills with personal development skills during the graduation in
engineering requires the new concept to be developed. This skill is also required when there is recession in
the market and for those who lost their jobs in the market (Moffett and Mill, 2014). These skills help them to
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sustain the market at that period of time. The modern era education in the engineering and technical
studies must contain and consist of various other skills like multi-disciplined and one should have the
integrated approach towards their work. The essential and invaluable technical knowledge along with the
skills are required during the time of getting the jobs. They must be practised, explained and demonstrated
concurrently with the equally essential and crucial pedagogy. This build the ability to work in independent
and concise manner. They can easily manage and their communication skills with other engineers in the
disciplines will give the perfect future engineer (Barrett, Todahl and Chrstenses, 2011). For teaching the
engineer and making it prefect in order to withstand the worst condition must have the following skills like
able to solve the difficult problems, business acumen, computer literacy, technical dexterity, having the
specific goal of the company or industry and their ability to understand commercial goals of the organization
must be the integral part in the education system in the engineering. There is need of certain changes in
the educational system to enhance the basic knowledge and an engineer must have the management skills
along with the learning ability and good communication skills. They must be able to perform the work in the
group in order to complete their challenges. The engineering colleges must have the various programmes
and should provide the capabilities for the graduate to handle the modern cultural and the changing
environment (Seabrooke and Nilsson, 2015). The college provides the integrated learning and will promote
the graduates to perform in the increasingly complex modern working environment. The organization plays
important role in the in addressing those skills and provide the better education, training and offer better
industrial facilities or placement. There are many challenges in order to overcome the barriers and to hold
the success.
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Task 2: Your Professional Skills (600 words)
Identify three obstacles to you being successful as a graduate in your industry (in relation to task 1).
 Evaluate the obstacles
 Suggest ways to overcome each obstacle.
Write 3 paragraphs.
For the successful people there needs appropriate approach to the problems. This are those
places where others see the barriers which can’t be penetrable, but those who want success sees
these challenges to embrace and obstacles to overcome. For the success first is the mind-set which
requires the high emotional intelligence. Personal and financial barriers are the most difficult
situation which must be overcome as soon as possible. This stops an engineer to think over making
choices and taking positive steps in order to overcome it. For the today’s century the education
system must be comprehensive and as the whole product. It must be cohesive as well as effective.
The elemental skills that a graduate engineer must have focus on the social, business and human
skills. They must be able to create ability to enhance their knowledge related to the subject and must
be proficient in their technical knowledge. Their soft and the hard skills must be tested and tried so
that they can be able to face the technical skill which is emerging in the future world. For an
engineer they must possess the basic skills like interpersonal skills, critical thinking, self-directed
learning and interpersonal ability, together with heightened self-awareness and self-confidence, are
skills that help inspire and sustain actual life-long learning. The following are the skills required for
the successful and their possible solution to overcome them (Beausaert and et. Al., 2013).
Interpersonal skills are required in the organization in order to communicate within the individuals
in an organizational environment. It contains seven major areas where interpersonal skills are
required. They are verbal communication, non- verbal communication, problem solving, decision
making, listening skills, negotiation and Assertiveness. In verbal and nonverbal communication
there are major points required like tone and manner, facial expressions, body language, and hand
gestures. He must have effective listening skills which can avoid crises in the business. Negotiation
in the another ineffective communication business failure where the discussing and problem solving
is not there it creates more problem as there are no possible outcomes of the problems. At last the
decision making to analyse and develop the solution to the problem. Decision making is considered
to be the effective key aspect of interpersonal skills. For solving all this problems effective decision
making and training related to such things can improve the problems. Also team work can reduce
such problems arise during may any project (Benefield and Joseph, 2010).
Creative and critical thinking skills are required by the graduate in order to think out of the box.
There is lack in the fresh ideas and ability to make good decision in taking the opportunities and
potential project skills. For this person must have the creative thinking, problem solving ability and
they should be able to recognize the opportunities easily. Many creative skills tools are present
which can increase the ability also that can help in overcoming those problems. Recognizing the
problem and opportunities can help in remaining focus and to the target, in problem solving. This
ability is required in the business segment where new innovative are respected and recognized.
Practical skills and knowledge are needed and required during the period which produces goods and
services effectively and run a company. For this the graduate must have the goal setting, planning
and organizing, decision making and knowledge about the subject and in several areas which are
related to the subject (Berghman and Vloeberghs, 2003). To achieve this plan there must be focus on
the different aspects which the person can be able adopt and through practise they can get perfect in
that position.
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Appendices
A: The Long-Term Vision
When discussing the types of roles you would like to apply for, it is useful to consider how these might fit in
with your long-term vision. Imagine yourself travelling approximately 5 or 10 years into the future. This activity
is not about laying down a rigid plan but to help you gain a sense of the type of life you want, so you can make
the right kinds of choices to achieve it.
Activity: The Long-Term Vision
Five/ten years from now, I see myself...
Aspect Write your own vision of this aspect below On a scale of 1-
10 how
important is this
to you?
Considering the most important
things in my life to be…
I would like to be a successful professional and
working in workplace where the company utilizes
my technical skills and other interpersonal skills
and enhance than. Also they should provide new
learning skills in gaining new knowledge and
position to apply them. To after which I would like
to start my own business applying those skills.
9
Living in which part of the world
and in what kind of place?
The place I would like to live in the world is
southern San Francisco Bay Area of California or
silicon valley as this is the place home of start-up
and global companies.
8
Working for myself? Working for a
large company? Working for a
small company?
Starting of the career working with other SME’s
after getting the business knowledge getting my
own company with the those skills
8
Doing what kind of work? Varied?
Routine? Challenging?
In an office? In the field?
I would like to perform the varied and challenging
work in the field with various aspect discussed in
the office. The skills and the daily routine will
always to find the new technological improvement
or advancement.
9
With what kind of work/life
balance (consider hours of
work/stress levels)?
Starting of any work whether it’s in business or
field it requires hard work with full dedication and
complete mind-set. The person must have the self-
motivation even if he fails. This increases the
working hour and dedication given to the work also
the stress level rises.
5 - Somewhat
Important
Taking a lead? Taking
responsibility? Working
individually? Part of a team?
For getting success there must be teamwork but it
should be responsibility of every individual to
perform their best in order to achieve the success.
Also there is need of leader only for the motivation
and solving the conflicts.
10 - Extremely
Important
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Working with colleagues who are…
artistic? intellectual? practical?
caring? competitive?
Yes, for the organization betterment, I would like
to work in different segments, with different
colleagues as they too will enhance my knowledge
and give me support in making the new
technological development
7
Spending my time outside work
doing…
During my course of time I would like to gain my
knowledge with other entrepreneurs and business
management in order to understand their skills and
approach to the such business height
9
Other important aspects of my
vision of the future are…
The company I would like to start must be the most
innovative and advanced with the better facilities
to the employee and others. The company name
must be in the top business list of Forbes and with
highest turnover and maximum revenue collection.
10 - Extremely
Important
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B. Professional Skills Audit
Based on your long-term vision, identify two positions you would be interested in having once you have graduated. For each role, identify four key professional
skills needed (do not duplicate skills between roles). Provide evidence based on previous experiences that demonstrate the extent to which you have these skills
and identify those that you need to further develop.
E.g. Role 1: Retail Manager
Skill Area Evidence of skill How I’m doing
Effective
Leadership Skills
I have never held a management position but in my current job as a retail assistant, I have
helped to look after the store and train staff in the absence of my manager. I have also
helped to manage other students when doing group work at university.
This is an area I need to gain more experience
and confidence in.
Role 1: Constructional engineer
Skill Area Evidence of Skill How I’m Doing
Technical
Knowledge
I need to have great command in the mathematics and physics to solve the
engineering problem. I should be able to find the future problems and find
its possible solution.
I am focusing on more theoretical and technical knowledge
which can help me in gaining confidence in solving the tough
problems.
Project
Management
I must be able to guide and my resolution power should be high. This help
in maintaining the relation with client and others.
I am trying to make my work effective and with all standards
under budget and within time frames.
Communication
Skills
For such field work my communication skills must be strong and should
highly effective. I must also listen to the other in order to perform work
according to them.
For this I am trying to make my communication skills better by
conversing with others and finding possible aspect where my
communication to the other members should be clear and
concise.
Creativity and
critical thinking
I should be able to perform and apply me engineering knowledge in the
field and must be able to perform in the better using the established
environment. There will be time when I would be facing the complex
problems in the working environment so I should be able to solve them.
I am finding and studying the old natural structure and trying
to adopt them using modern technology.
Role 2: Environment consultant

Skill Area Evidence of Skill How I’m Doing
Business and
commercial skills
As being a consultant there needs to understand the commercial
environment. For which different environmental factors needs to be
studied.
I am taking training in order to understand the role to be
environmental consultant.
Communication
and presentation
skills
For being perfect in the field I need to find the best way to communicate
and should be able to present before the people so they can easily
understand.
I am trying to give speeches in public and making my
communication skills better by reading more and more books
of current environmental trends.
Project
management skills
and IT skills
I must have the understanding that time and resources both are limited
and must be monitored and adhered. Also, I need to focus on my word
processing
Making data analysis of current happening and working with
other people to learn about managing the project.
Organizational and
time management
I required this skills in order to manage the different project with within
the time limit and completing the several project at same time.
Working with other skilled people to learn about managing
the project
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Professional Development Plan (PDP)
Specific- Measurable- Achievable- Realistic- Timescale (SMART)
You are required to develop a Professional Development Plan (PDP), which will include goals for the development of your professional skills. This could include
skills we have covered on this module or other skills that will be required in your chosen industry/ profession.
Week Goal Action Success criteria Completed when
by?
E.g To improve my ability
to write formal emails To use appropriate language when I email my lecturers.
To ask for feedback on emails I send at work/uni.
My emails are clear and professionally written I
receive positive feedback responses.
January 2017
1 Having good
interpersonal skills
For this I am reading more books, trying to communicate
with the professional and understanding their ways and
adopting them in me to be better.
For having good interpersonal skills I deliver the
speeches in the professional sector, also I
receive many appraisal due to my speech and
interpersonal skill.
February 2017
2 Practical skills Performing more practical experiments and understanding
there basic knowledge and implementation in the practical
world with implementation of new technologies.
Some of my experiments I received many
rewords and prizes which motivates me more.
February 2017
3 Social skills I started visiting the new places and interacting with
different people in order to learn more about the business
and business development.
Now some others are following me and are
taking my advice in order to get improved in
their business.
March 2017
4 Organizational and
time management
skills
Through visiting the various entrepreneur and
management places I was able to learn more about the
organization and need of time management in the business
and organization.
This need to be achieved as I still need to get
more focus on time management
May 2017
5 Project management
skills
For this I am performing different project and practising
them. This give me new ways of thinking and the ability to
perform something new and creative.
This I will achieve when I will receive award
from international project management
association for my project.
May 2017
REFERENCES

Achua, C. and Lussier, R., 2012. Leadership: Theory, Application, & Skill Development. 5th ed. Cengage Learning.
Barrett, C. W., Todahl, J. and Chrstenses, N. D., 2011. Solution-Based Casework: An Introduction to Clinical and Case Management Skills in
Casework Practice. Transaction Publishers.
Beausaert, S. and et. Al., 2013. Effect of using a personal development plan on learning and development. Journal of Workplace Learning. 25(3).
pp.145 – 158.
Benefield, N. and Joseph, N., 2010. The development of an offender personality disorder strategy. Mental Health Review Journal. 15(4). pp.10 – 15.
Berghman, L. and Vloeberghs, D., 2003. Towards an effectiveness model of development centres. Journal of Managerial Psychology. 18(6). pp.511 –
540.
Cassidy, S., 2006. Learning style and student self-assessment skill. Education + Training. 48(2/3). pp.170 – 177.
Cox, D. B. and et. al., 2007. A study of managerial derailment characteristics and personality preferences. Journal of Management Development. 26(9).
pp.857 – 873.
Cunningham, I., 2006. Quantum theory and self‐managed learning. Development and Learning in Organizations: An International Journal. 20(1). pp.4
– 6.
Cunningham, I., 2010. Learning to lead – self managed learning and how academics resist understanding the process, Development and Learning in
Organizations: An International Journal. 24(2). pp.4 – 6.
Jones-Rikkers, C.G., 2014. Using Social Media and Professional Development Programs to Enhance Student Acquisition of “Soft
Skills”. M-PBEA Journal, p. 9.
Moffett, J. and Mill, A.C., 2014. Evaluation of the flipped classroom approach in a veterinary professional skills course. Advances in medical
education and practice, 5, p. 415.
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