This document discusses professional development and provides guidance on developing a professional development plan. It defines professional development as learning directly related to optimal job performance, such as business and communication skills, teamwork, and knowledge of diverse work environments. Some benefits of seeking professional development include developing expertise, relationships, knowledge, and innovation. The document recommends conducting a self-assessment, setting goals and actions, and tracking progress when creating a professional development plan. A template is provided to outline long and short-term goals with measurements and timeframes.
2. 2
Check-In with Coaches
Think about how you define professional
development:
• What is professional development?
• How do you feel about seeking out
professional development
opportunities?
3. 3
What is Professional Development?
Learning directly related to optimal job performance
Business skills
Communication skills
Team work
Knowledge of working in a
culturally diverse workspace
Maintaining and developing professional expertise
Attending conferences, workshops, and webinars
Professional licenses/certificates
Membership in professional associations
4. 4
Why Seek Out Professional Development?
A few examples of what PD can do for you:
• Develop an area of expertise
• Develop a professional identity
• Expand knowledge regarding relevant issues
• Build relationships with professional peers
• Share knowledge and information with others
• Gain membership in the professional community
• Expand creativity and innovation
Remember! Many organizations will pay for your
professional development!
6. 6
Developing a Professional Development Plan
There are 3 steps to develop a professional development plan
(PDP)
1. Conduct a self-assessment
Reflect on strengths and growth areas
2. Develop goals and actions
Identify short and long-term goals.
Identify specific actions to help you achieve those goals.
3. Track your progress
Determine who will support you during your professional
development planning and goal completion.
Revisit your PDP often!
7. 7
Professional Development Plan Template
My long term goal is:
Specific
action to
meet short-term
goal
Measurements
to demonstrate
progress
Realistic
timeframe
Relevant PD
opportunities
Short-term
goal
Short-term
goal
Short-term
goal
Short-term
goal
Template available on Schoology
Hinweis der Redaktion
Check-In With Coaches (15 minutes)
What is professional development? How do you feel about seeking out professional development opportunities?
In facilitating these discussions, ensure that the conversation remains productive. Encourage students to provide each other with support as well as sharing of experiences and lessons learned.
What is Professional Development?
Learning directly related to optimal job performance
Business skills, including financial stewardship, human resource management and strategic leadership;
Communication skills, including basic skills, conflict management and resolution, negotiation and facilitation
Team communications and/or team building skills
Knowledge and skills related to acting as a member of an ethnically and culturally diverse community and workforce in an inclusive and respectful manner
Knowledge and skills in recognizing and responding effectively to discrimination and harassment
Knowledge and skills in the uses of technology to increase work efficiency and effectiveness
Maintaining and developing professional expertise such as discipline development, career development and organizational development. Activities may include:
Attending conferences, seminars, workshops, classes, teleconferences, or webinars
Professional licensures/certificates and continuing education credits
Participation in professional networks associated with one’s profession, job responsibilities or organization
There are many reasons professional development is a good idea, many of which depend on where you are in your professional path. For entry-level employees, the following are some reasons to seek out PD:
Understanding the organization's structure, function, and culture
Attaining base level technical skills
Giving relevancy to previous training
Exercising directed creativity and initiative
Establishing linkages with volunteers, advisory groups, and community
Moving from dependency to independency
Exploring personal/professional dynamics
Expanding knowledge regarding relevant issues
Building relationships with professional peers
Developing an area of expertise
Developing a professional identity
Sharing knowledge and information with others
Gaining membership in the professional community
Increasing effectiveness and efficiency
Expanding creativity and innovation
Expanding knowledge regarding relevant issues
CPD = Continuing Professional Development
Developing a Professional Development Plan (PDP)
There are 3 steps to developing a professional development plan:
Conduct a self-assessment: Reflect on strengths and growth areas
Develop goals and actions: Identify short and long-term goals. Identify specific actions to help you achieve those goals.
Track your progress: Determine who will support you during your professional development planning and goal completion. Revisit your PDP often!
CAS will assist students in filing out their PDPs, as well as help students identify specific outreach activities they can pursue to help achieve those goals (classwork, mentoring, conferences, professional associations, etc.). Expand template as necessary for multiple long-term goals.
CAS will assist students in filing out their PDPs, as well as help students identify specific outreach activities they can pursue to help achieve those goals (classwork, mentoring, conferences, professional associations, etc.). Expand template as necessary for multiple long-term goals.
Go through one to two examples with the group to show students how to develop such a plan. Divide students into coaching groups to help complete.
Template is available on Schoology.
