Personal Development Planning - Assignment Example

Personal Development Planning Name Course Tutor University Date 1, 2-3 points on SWOT analysis on myself. SWOT ANALYSIS on myself SWOT ANALYSIS Strengths -Excellent communication skills -Good managerial skills. -Ability to speak various languages, including Russian, French and English Weaknesses -I have a problem with English grammar and speaking. -I am a Perfectionist. Opportunities -To finish my University Bachelor’s Degree. -To pursue a career in Travel and Tourism Threats -I am not competent with MS-Office Suite -Due to the competition in the job market, I will not be able to find a job in my desired field after I finish my degree. -I do not have excellent presentation skills and public speaking skills. 1. Strengths The travel and tourism industry is the one I have a keen interest in, and more specifically, working with a reputable organization whereby I can contribute to its continued growth. I am a reliable and a goal getter person. In addition, I have strong organizational as well as customer service skills. I am always passionate about travel and tourism latest trends. Furthermore, I am a team player and enjoy accomplishing tasks effectively. Currently, I am pursuing a bachelor’s degree course in one of the UK colleges. I believe these experiments have prepared me well for a career in travel and tourism. 2. Weaknesses Despite my strengths, I have some weaknesses as far as my personal skills are concerned. My greatest weakness is that I am a perfectionist and therefore, I strive to accomplish tasks effectively. In additions, I always feel guilty whenever I make mistakes. I also have problems with the English language, especially, grammar and pronunciation. To overcome these challenges, I set SMART goals, and rely on my group members in order to enhance my linguistic skills. Opportunities I intend to pursue a career in travel and tourism industry after graduating from college. . Thus, I will ensure that my career is meeting both the company’s and personal objectives. If given the opportunity, I will offer what I have learned in school and help in improving the performance and productivity of the firm. 3. Threats Some threats may occur in future and therefore hinder me from accomplishing my personal as well as firm’s objectives. Such threats include lack strong IT skills, lack of excellent presentation skills and public speaking skills and failure to get a job in my preferred field due to intense competition in the job market. To overcome these challenges and attain my career goals, I will make the best use of my existing strengths, free up my body language, and be at the vanguard of the innovation wave. 2) State the academic skills you have developed from previous semester The following are the skills that I have developed from the previous semester; -Time management skills -Listening skills -Communication skills 3) Reflect on new skills you have developed this semester. The following is a reflection of the new skills that I have developed this semester; Communication skills-During this semester, I have developed excellent communication skills including; telephone conversation skills, report writing skills, conflict management skills, interviewing skills, using polite language while communicating to others, presentation skills and active contributing in group discussions. Interpersonal skills- I have learnt to interact well with people from diverse backgrounds. Also, I have learnt to be sympathetic unto others and being supportive to others. This semester, I have also learned to keep promises and respect others and their properties. Analytical skills-During this semester, I have developed two levels of thinking including the critical level and intuitive level. Critical level involves extraordinary evaluation of the status on given acts based on the information that supports mental power given adequate time for reflection. On the other hand, intuitive level of thinking involves day to day evaluation of the status of different actions. Thus, I have learnt to apply critical thinking besides intuitive reasoning. Leadership skills-During this semester, I have learnt to motivate others to accomplish their tasks effectively and enthusiastically. In addition, I have learnt to bring different people together to work towards the achievement of a common goal. Professional and management skills- With this regards, I have learnt such aspects as punctuality, dressing appropriately, meeting strict deadlines, producing high quality results, following project protocols, prioritizing different tasks, setting SMART goals among many others. 4, Highlight the skills required for the preferred career after your degree, and how will the skills be acquired by end of your degree. Skills that I consider vital for my travel and tourism career after I graduate Skills How the skills will be acquired by the end of my degree course Communication skills -Practicing public speaking skills in order to enhance my communication skills. -In order to enhance my communication by email, I will do the following; personalizing response emails, reading out the entire conversation before replying, being precise when composing an email message, checking my emails at least thrice a day and responding as appropriate. Managing teams I will enhance this skill by learning to listen, leaning to get on with people from different backgrounds and chairing meetings. Problem solving I will enhance my problem solving skills by focusing on the issues, having an open mind, viewing problems neutrally, thinking laterally and simplifying things. Teamwork As a group leader, I will do the following in order to counter groupthink; encouraging each member to air their objections, dividing bigger group into smaller ones, encouraging members to seek consultations from experts outside the group, holding second chance meetings to discuss key issues, prioritizing issues among others. 5, Prepare an action plan explaining how you will gain those skills with a timeframe. Short-Term Time Frame What do I want to accomplish in the next three to 6 months Mid-Term Time Frame What do I want to Accomplish in the next 6 months to 2 years? Long-Term Time Frame What do I want to accomplish in the next 2 to 3 years Section 1 My Goals is TO PURSUE A CAREER IN TAVEL AND TOURISM I hope to finish my assignments before Christmas holiday and also pass my exams. I will find employment in a travel and tourism firm in order to gain the much needed experience. I will attend seminars, workshops and conferences. Section 2 Skills and Knowledge to be acquired I will update myself with the current trends in the travel and tourism industry. As such, I will read travel and tourism journal. In addition, I will update my IT skills. I will learn how to conduct myself during interviews. I will search and apply for a position in travel and tourism. I will also learn how to manage time. I intend to complete my university degree. I also plan to enhance my decision making as well as problem solving skills. Section 3 How I will gain those skills with a timeframe. Currently, I am concentrating on my studies at the university. However, working as an intern in a travel and tourism firm will allow me to be acquainted with the current trends in travel and tourism industry. Thus, I will be able to expand my experience. I will search for a job in the newspapers, internet and other sources. I will then choose reputable firms in the travel and tourism industry and apply for a job. I will also seek advice about my career from friends and relatives who works in the travel and tourism industry. . Next year, I will try and find an organization within travel and tourism industry where I can get the relevant experience. What resources do I need? I need to read journals relating to travel and tourism. Also, I need to attend seminars. I intend to finish my university degree I need to have a diploma in travel and tourism Section 4 Time Schedule 1to2months 2 to 3months 2years Section 5 Start JANUARY 2014 Started now and finish in 3months time Started in September 2013 Section 6 Finish 2 months Before Christmas 2015 Summer 6, Brief explanation on what you have learnt from PDP this semester. This semester, I have learnt that a personal development planning helps the planner to become successful in career building. The plan entails setting goals, assessment of those goals and devising strategies to attain those goals. It is a long life practice of investing resources to achieve my career objectives. A personal development plan cannot be a one moment event but a continuous process which is a requisite for adapting to the dynamic demands of the modern economy. Whether in the initial stages of our career life or in the workforce as a veteran in any field, we must plan towards career objectives. The personal development planning process should also be based on critical steps in identifying career paths and opportunities that I resonate with. In reference to Vlad and Charles (2008), career assessments can range from immediate and casual to more in-depth. It is import that they are evaluated regardless of which one I am currently using. The time horizon for the achievement of assorted goals and objectives which range from short term, medium to long-term are a major influence to career formulation. Both personal and professional relationships transcend specific organizations, industries and companies. According to William (2005), how we mingle reacts and bond in all our relations impact on our daily performance and future opportunities. Not much can be accomplished in isolation and networking uncovers in excess of 70% of the prevailing job opportunities. I have also learnt that an individual must conduct a self-assessment in order to make informed career decisions. At some point it is paramount to conduct an inventory of one self and identify performance and skills gaps that could undermine the professional development of an individual. The inventory in this case should conclude by identifying knowledge, strengths, skills and talents that can be influenced in the quest of one’s’ goals. In an addition to values, interests and strengths, there are other personality issues to consider while choosing a career. Everybody, have some intuitive of whom he or she is or else some input from people around us. In that regard, certain personality aspects are very important to put in mind while considering ones career choice and planning. As an example, extrovert people are endowed with quantitative analysis skills. On the other hand, for an introvert who have the requisite knowledge and skills can be a poor person in sales. Conclusively, I have learnt that an individual must think about his personal and professional development in order to achieve his career goals. References Vlad V & Charles V. 2008. Smart talent management building knowledge assets for competitive advantage. Cheltenham, UK Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar. William J. R. 2005. Career planning and succession management: developing your organization's talent--for today and tomorrow. Westport, Ct: Praeger Publishers. Read More