MODULE 1: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Job Assignments
- Learning by doing – by working on real
Professional Development. - refers to continuing
problems and dilemmas.
education and career training after a person has entered
- May be an entirely new job, a responsibility
the workforce in order to help them develop new skills, stay
added to an existing job such as a short-term
up-to-date on current trends, and advance their career.
project.
- can help today's engineers that are looking to improve - Something that stretches people, pushes
through educational opportunities and advanced degrees. them out of their comfort zones, and requires
Continuing Education - Enrollment in formal them to think and act differently.
degree programs, courses, or workshops. PHASES OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Pursuing certificates, accreditations or other
credentials through educational programs.
Participation in Professional Organizations
- Coordinating events sponsored by the
organization.
- Serving as an officer, board member, or
committee member.
- Attending local, regional, national, and
international meetings, conferences and Building a Knowledge Base
workshops sponsored by professional - The purpose of this phase is to acquire new
organizations. knowledge and information and to build a
Research conceptual understanding of it.
- Conducting research - Activities in this phase might include goal
- Presenting findings of research to others setting, assessing needs, participating in
- Presenting papers at conferences and interactive workshops, and forming a study
workshops group.
Improve job performance Observing Models and Class.
- Improving existing skills. - The purpose of this phase is to develop a
- Keeping up with technology, systems, practical understanding of the activity.
processes. - In this phase, one might participate in
- Learning about new developments in your activities such as peer observation, co-
field. planning, and listening to or watching audio
Increased duties and responsibilities and video examples.
- Taking on new challenges in current position, Reflecting on Your Practice
projects, long or short-term assignments. - The purpose of this phase is to analyze your
professional practice on the basis of new
Skill Based Training knowledge.
- Allows participants to learn conceptual - Activities in this phase might include the use
, Changing Your Practice Make Learning a Habit
- The purpose of this phase is to translate your - When you make learning a habit, you'll more
new knowledge into individual and likely make a positive, long-lasting change,
collaborative plans and actions for change. and achieve the goals that you set yourself.
- Activities might include action research, - Do this by building learning into your daily
peercoaching, support groups, and routine.
professional development. - Schedule time – however little – each day for
Gaining and Sharing Expertise learning, and stick to it!
- The purpose of this phase is to continue to
refine your professional practice, learning with Set Boundaries
and from colleagues while also sharing your - One of the biggest distractions is often other
practical wisdom with your peers. people.
- Activities in this phase might include team - Set aside some time in your lunch break to
planning, mentoring or partnering with a read up on a new industry development or
colleague, and participating in a network. complete an online test.
- People may not realize this, so the work
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
requests keep on coming.
▪ One of the hardest things about learning a new Make Every Minute Count
skill is finding the time to do it. - Maximize the impact of every moment that
▪ In fact, research has shown that many of us spend you have available.
72 hours a week working, leaving precious little - Start by taking a look at your To-Do List. What
spare time each day! could you realistically achieve in the time
▪ So, here are eight practical strategies that you can available?
use to prioritize your professional development, - Make sure that you focus your energy
even when you have a busy work schedule: effectively.
Learn at Your Best
Focus on Objectives - Many people opt to work on their professional
- You'll need a strong sense of purpose when it development after they've completed
comes to drawing up your learning objectives. everything else.
- Start by listing the skills and knowledge that - Schedule your learning for times of the day
you most want to learn. when your energy levels are high and you're
- Express these as SMART goals. more likely to be "in the zone”.
- When you've done this, break them down into - For example, you may feel a little slow straight
longand short-term goals that you can add to after lunch, but you might be buzzing with
your daily ToDo List or Action Program. energy in the morning.
Manage Obstacles and Distractions Find Your Own Learning Style
- Identify possible obstacles that might make it - We all have our own way of learning. Some
difficult for you to stick to your learning people prefer to read and take notes. Others
schedule. are more active – they learn by doing.
, Collaborate With Others WAYS TO DEVELOP PROFESSIONALLY
- Learning alongside others can often make the 1. Make New Connections
experience more fun and engaging. - Networking is an excellent way to progress
- They can help you to stay motivated, and along your career path, whether that's by
provide advice and support. finding new job opportunities, gaining insight
- Social media sites like LinkedIn and Twitter into the kinds of training you could be taking
can also help you to find other professionals part in, or meeting an experienced individual
in your industry who can offer training and who is willing to act as a confidante or mentor.
advice. - Recognize and appreciate that every person
you meet - both professionally and personally
MODULE 1.2: IMPORTANCE OF PROFESSIONAL
- has value to add to your life.
DEVELOPMENT
2. Get Mentor
▪ This will give the professionals an opportunity to - Mentoring can take the form of
learn and apply new knowledge and skills that can encouragement, sharing anecdotes and
help them in their job and further their career. wisdom, and even challenging the mentee to
▪ This is all about building your skill set and reach and exceed certain goals.
knowledge base for your field. - On good days, this can help you to maximise
your productivity and progress, while on bad
Benefits of Professional Development days it can help to keep you moving forwards
▪ Professionals that engage in professional at all.
development will feel more confident knowing that 3. Improve Your Time Management
they have the skills needed to succeed in their line - Time management is not about doing more;
of work. it's about knowing there's a limit on how much
▪ Become better workers through professional you can do.
development. - No matter how driven, motivated and
▪ By learning the right skills for their career, productive you might be, there are only 24
professionals will be more productive and efficient, hours in a day, and you need to keep some of
thus helping the business for which they work them to eat, sleep and relax.
succeed. 4. Polish Your Soft Skills
▪ Can open the doors to new opportunities for - People often associate 'soft skills' with
professionals. effective communication, but that's only one
▪ Relevant practical qualifications that will impress part of polishing your transferable and
current and prospective employers. interpersonal capabilities.
▪ If a professional is struggling to get promoted to a - This can include any skills you could take to a
higher, more lucrative position, professional job outside of your current industry, and
development may help him or her secure this anything that makes you work well with others.
promotion. 5. Read More Books
▪ Improves learning ability. - Books are a great way to learn from other
▪ Promotes independent learning. people's experiences, without having to leave
- Learning by doing – by working on real
Professional Development. - refers to continuing
problems and dilemmas.
education and career training after a person has entered
- May be an entirely new job, a responsibility
the workforce in order to help them develop new skills, stay
added to an existing job such as a short-term
up-to-date on current trends, and advance their career.
project.
- can help today's engineers that are looking to improve - Something that stretches people, pushes
through educational opportunities and advanced degrees. them out of their comfort zones, and requires
Continuing Education - Enrollment in formal them to think and act differently.
degree programs, courses, or workshops. PHASES OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Pursuing certificates, accreditations or other
credentials through educational programs.
Participation in Professional Organizations
- Coordinating events sponsored by the
organization.
- Serving as an officer, board member, or
committee member.
- Attending local, regional, national, and
international meetings, conferences and Building a Knowledge Base
workshops sponsored by professional - The purpose of this phase is to acquire new
organizations. knowledge and information and to build a
Research conceptual understanding of it.
- Conducting research - Activities in this phase might include goal
- Presenting findings of research to others setting, assessing needs, participating in
- Presenting papers at conferences and interactive workshops, and forming a study
workshops group.
Improve job performance Observing Models and Class.
- Improving existing skills. - The purpose of this phase is to develop a
- Keeping up with technology, systems, practical understanding of the activity.
processes. - In this phase, one might participate in
- Learning about new developments in your activities such as peer observation, co-
field. planning, and listening to or watching audio
Increased duties and responsibilities and video examples.
- Taking on new challenges in current position, Reflecting on Your Practice
projects, long or short-term assignments. - The purpose of this phase is to analyze your
professional practice on the basis of new
Skill Based Training knowledge.
- Allows participants to learn conceptual - Activities in this phase might include the use
, Changing Your Practice Make Learning a Habit
- The purpose of this phase is to translate your - When you make learning a habit, you'll more
new knowledge into individual and likely make a positive, long-lasting change,
collaborative plans and actions for change. and achieve the goals that you set yourself.
- Activities might include action research, - Do this by building learning into your daily
peercoaching, support groups, and routine.
professional development. - Schedule time – however little – each day for
Gaining and Sharing Expertise learning, and stick to it!
- The purpose of this phase is to continue to
refine your professional practice, learning with Set Boundaries
and from colleagues while also sharing your - One of the biggest distractions is often other
practical wisdom with your peers. people.
- Activities in this phase might include team - Set aside some time in your lunch break to
planning, mentoring or partnering with a read up on a new industry development or
colleague, and participating in a network. complete an online test.
- People may not realize this, so the work
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
requests keep on coming.
▪ One of the hardest things about learning a new Make Every Minute Count
skill is finding the time to do it. - Maximize the impact of every moment that
▪ In fact, research has shown that many of us spend you have available.
72 hours a week working, leaving precious little - Start by taking a look at your To-Do List. What
spare time each day! could you realistically achieve in the time
▪ So, here are eight practical strategies that you can available?
use to prioritize your professional development, - Make sure that you focus your energy
even when you have a busy work schedule: effectively.
Learn at Your Best
Focus on Objectives - Many people opt to work on their professional
- You'll need a strong sense of purpose when it development after they've completed
comes to drawing up your learning objectives. everything else.
- Start by listing the skills and knowledge that - Schedule your learning for times of the day
you most want to learn. when your energy levels are high and you're
- Express these as SMART goals. more likely to be "in the zone”.
- When you've done this, break them down into - For example, you may feel a little slow straight
longand short-term goals that you can add to after lunch, but you might be buzzing with
your daily ToDo List or Action Program. energy in the morning.
Manage Obstacles and Distractions Find Your Own Learning Style
- Identify possible obstacles that might make it - We all have our own way of learning. Some
difficult for you to stick to your learning people prefer to read and take notes. Others
schedule. are more active – they learn by doing.
, Collaborate With Others WAYS TO DEVELOP PROFESSIONALLY
- Learning alongside others can often make the 1. Make New Connections
experience more fun and engaging. - Networking is an excellent way to progress
- They can help you to stay motivated, and along your career path, whether that's by
provide advice and support. finding new job opportunities, gaining insight
- Social media sites like LinkedIn and Twitter into the kinds of training you could be taking
can also help you to find other professionals part in, or meeting an experienced individual
in your industry who can offer training and who is willing to act as a confidante or mentor.
advice. - Recognize and appreciate that every person
you meet - both professionally and personally
MODULE 1.2: IMPORTANCE OF PROFESSIONAL
- has value to add to your life.
DEVELOPMENT
2. Get Mentor
▪ This will give the professionals an opportunity to - Mentoring can take the form of
learn and apply new knowledge and skills that can encouragement, sharing anecdotes and
help them in their job and further their career. wisdom, and even challenging the mentee to
▪ This is all about building your skill set and reach and exceed certain goals.
knowledge base for your field. - On good days, this can help you to maximise
your productivity and progress, while on bad
Benefits of Professional Development days it can help to keep you moving forwards
▪ Professionals that engage in professional at all.
development will feel more confident knowing that 3. Improve Your Time Management
they have the skills needed to succeed in their line - Time management is not about doing more;
of work. it's about knowing there's a limit on how much
▪ Become better workers through professional you can do.
development. - No matter how driven, motivated and
▪ By learning the right skills for their career, productive you might be, there are only 24
professionals will be more productive and efficient, hours in a day, and you need to keep some of
thus helping the business for which they work them to eat, sleep and relax.
succeed. 4. Polish Your Soft Skills
▪ Can open the doors to new opportunities for - People often associate 'soft skills' with
professionals. effective communication, but that's only one
▪ Relevant practical qualifications that will impress part of polishing your transferable and
current and prospective employers. interpersonal capabilities.
▪ If a professional is struggling to get promoted to a - This can include any skills you could take to a
higher, more lucrative position, professional job outside of your current industry, and
development may help him or her secure this anything that makes you work well with others.
promotion. 5. Read More Books
▪ Improves learning ability. - Books are a great way to learn from other
▪ Promotes independent learning. people's experiences, without having to leave
