Development Plan For Two Skills Overview For This Assignment

Development Plan for Two Skills Overview For this assignment, you’ll identify two skills that you’d like to focus on and create a plan for developing those skills. At the end of the assignment, you’ll have a tangible plan for personal and professional development, which you can also review with the Career Center team to help you work through your career strategy.

For this assignment, you are required to select two skills from a list of ten employability skills and develop a comprehensive personal development plan. The plan should include specific goals, resources to support skill development, and a detailed action plan outlining steps to improve each skill. Additionally, you should identify potential challenges and strategies to overcome them, as well as key supporters who can assist in your growth. The purpose of this exercise is to create a clear pathway for enhancing your professional competencies to better prepare for future career opportunities.

Paper For Above instruction

In today’s competitive job market, the ability to continuously develop and enhance essential skills is crucial for personal and professional growth. Selecting two key skills to focus on allows for targeted development and measurable progress. For this paper, I will identify two skills from a predetermined list of ten employability skills: Communication and Critical Thinking. These skills are vital in almost every professional setting and have a significant impact on career advancement and effectiveness within a role.

Firstly, I have chosen Communication as one of my focal skills. Effective communication encompasses both verbal and non-verbal interactions, active listening, clarity of expression, and the ability to adapt messages for different audiences. Improving communication skills will benefit me by increasing my confidence in articulating ideas, facilitating better teamwork, and enhancing my ability to convey complex information clearly. The desired outcome for this skill is to become a more persuasive and empathetic communicator, capable of engaging stakeholders at various levels in organizational settings. After developing this skill, I envision being able to lead meetings more effectively, deliver compelling presentations, and foster a collaborative environment.

The second skill I have chosen is Critical Thinking, which involves analyzing information objectively, solving problems efficiently, and making well-informed decisions. Developing critical thinking skills will enable me to approach challenges analytically and develop innovative solutions, thus increasing my value as a professional. The specific goal here is to enhance my ability to evaluate evidence, identify biases, and apply logical reasoning. As a result, I expect to make more strategic decisions, contribute meaningfully to project planning, and improve my overall problem-solving acumen.

To support my skill development, I plan to utilize several resources. For improving communication, I will leverage LinkedIn Learning courses that focus on presentation skills and interpersonal communication techniques. These courses provide structured lessons and real-world scenarios to practice and refine my skills. Additionally, joining professional organizations such as Toastmasters International will offer opportunities to practice public speaking and receive constructive feedback. For developing critical thinking, I intend to explore online tutorials and articles on logical reasoning and decision-making frameworks. The Strayer University library resources, including books and academic articles on critical analysis, will also serve as valuable references.

My action plan involves three specific steps for each skill. For communication, I will: (1) enroll in a LinkedIn Learning course on effective communication within the next month; (2) participate actively in weekly meetings at work by volunteering to present or lead discussions; and (3) join a local Toastmasters club within the next three months to practice public speaking regularly. For critical thinking, I will: (1) read one academic journal article on decision-making and problem-solving each week; (2) complete an online course on logical reasoning within two months; and (3) seek feedback from supervisors on my problem-solving approaches in projects for continuous improvement.

Potential challenges that might hinder my progress include time management issues and difficulty applying new skills in real-world scenarios. To overcome these challenges, I will create a structured schedule allocating specific times for skill practice and continuous learning. Prioritizing these activities alongside my other responsibilities will be crucial. Additionally, I will regularly reflect on my experiences in a journal to monitor progress and identify areas needing improvement. Seeking support from mentors, peers, and supervisors will also be critical. I will ask for constructive feedback on my communication and critical thinking, which will guide my ongoing development.

Among key supporters, I have identified two individuals. The first is my supervisor, who can provide feedback on my communication skills during meetings and presentations, offering insights into areas for improvement. The second is a colleague who excels in strategic problem-solving; they can mentor me by sharing techniques and offering guidance on analyzing complex issues. Both supporters will be instrumental in creating accountability and providing practical advice throughout my developmental journey.

In conclusion, developing vital skills such as communication and critical thinking will significantly enhance my professional competence and career prospects. By setting clear, SMART goals, utilizing targeted resources, and implementing an actionable plan with contingencies for potential challenges, I am confident I can achieve meaningful growth. This structured approach not only prepares me for future roles but also fosters a mindset of continuous improvement essential for lifelong career success.

References

  • Johnson, T. (2019). Effective Communication Skills. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org
  • Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2014). Critical Thinking: Tools for Taking Charge of Your Learning and Your Life. Pearson.
  • LinkedIn Learning. (n.d.). Develop Your Communication Skills. https://www.linkedin.com/learning/
  • Toastmasters International. (2023). About Toastmasters. https://www.toastmasters.org
  • Facione, P. A. (2015). Critical Thinking: What It Is and Why It Counts. Insight Assessment. https://www.insightassessment.com
  • Meyer, M., & Land, R. (2003). Threshold Concepts and Troublesome Knowledge. Enhancing Teaching-Learning Environments in Undergraduate Courses. OULDI.
  • Facione, P. (2011). Critical Thinking in Every Domain. The Thinker's Guide. California Academic Press.
  • Treadwell, D., & Treadwell, E. (2019). The Art of Effective Communication. Routledge.
  • Harvard University. (2020). Teaching Critical Thinking. https://online.huit.harvard.edu
  • Barker, L. (2018). Strategies for Improving Critical Thinking Skills. Journal of Education and Practice. https://www.iiste.org

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