BM303 Strategic Career Development Assignment

BM303 Strategic Career Development Assignment

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Week 1

Introduction Of Strategic Career Development

The focus of this reflective report primarily involves to the module that aimed to enhance my awareness of my competencies, expertise, and proficiencies, and how to effectively showcase them to demonstrate my suitability for the chosen career trajectory (Cameron, 2021). The purpose of the module was to aid in the identification of crucial knowledge, skills, and expertise, as well as areas for significant development. This report will expound upon my comprehension of the underlying principles that drive strategic career advancement, as well as the importance of transferable employability skills. The act of engaging in reflection is an essential mechanism for fostering development in both one's professional and personal spheres.

The Purpose of Strategic Career Development

This module has facilitated my comprehension of the significance of strategic career development, which involves devising a comprehensive strategy that is consistent with my ultimate career objectives. The acquisition of strategic career development entails a process of self-evaluation to determine one's areas of proficiency and limitations, recognizing prospects for growth, and establishing feasible objectives to enhance one's competencies and expertise (Cottrell, 2021).

Importance of Transferable Employability Skills

The module has emphasized the significance of transferable employability skills to prospective employers. Graduating students who possess transferable skills that can be applied to diverse job roles and industries are highly sought after by employers. The aforementioned competencies encompass critical thinking, effective communication, proficient problem-solving, collaborative teamwork, and adept leadership. The module has facilitated my acquisition of the ability to recognize and cultivate these competencies, which will prove to be of immense worth in my forthcoming professional pursuits.

The skills and abilities, which can be applied to a wide range of different jobs and industries

As an MBA student, I acknowledge the significance of transferable skills and their relevance to my prospective professional trajectory. Over the course of my academic pursuits and prior professional engagements, I have cultivated a fundamental skillet that can be readily transferrable across diverse occupational domains. The development of communication skills has been a continuous process for me since my undergraduate studies. By means of delivering presentations, engaging in group projects, and participating in dialogues with both instructors and colleagues, I have acquired the ability to proficiently articulate my thoughts and viewpoints. The significance of proficient communication cannot be overstated in the corporate setting. As a recipient of an MBA degree, I have also developed the ability to manage time effectively, which is a skill that I have acquired through my academic and professional undertakings (Burnette, et.al 2020). As a student pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree, I am consistently managing a variety of academic tasks, including assignments, projects, and deadlines. By implementing efficient time management strategies such as prioritization and delegation, I have successfully met the required deadlines and achieved academic excellence. The acquisition of delegation and prioritization skills has been a result of my involvement in leadership roles during my previous work experiences. In my capacity as a team leader, I have acquired the skill of assigning tasks and responsibilities to members of my team, while giving priority to essential tasks in order to meet deadlines and attain organizational goals.

My own knowledge, skills and experience, and development needs for future role, using principles of reflection

As an academic learner, I have acquired a diverse set of knowledge, competencies, and practical exposure that I anticipate will be valuable in my forthcoming professional pursuits. Upon introspection of my previous academic and professional endeavors, I have discerned certain domains where I must enhance my competencies and expertise in order to attain triumph in my forthcoming position (Andrews and Ramji, 2020). The significance of effective communication skills in the corporate realm has been acknowledged by me, and I have discerned the necessity to enhance my proficiency in public speaking.

Skill gap analyses

Upon reflecting on my current knowledge, abilities, and experiences, as well as defining my future professional goals, I have identified several skill gaps.

• I acknowledge the importance of communication skills and recognizes the need to improve various aspects of their communication, including active listening, effective writing, and nonverbal communication, despite having some experience in giving presentations and speaking in front of groups (Patten, 2020).
• The basic computer skills recognize me the need to enhance their digital literacy competencies. This entails acquiring proficiency in commonly utilized software and cloud-based applications, as well as staying informed about emerging technologies.
• I acknowledge the need for improvement in various aspects of leadership, including strategic thinking, problem-solving, and team management, despite having prior experience in leadership roles.

SKILLS GAP ANALYSIS
Guide your employee through updating their skills to become better qualified and to improve their performance
Employee:	Stephen Debrah
SKILL DESCRIPTION	CURRENT SKILL LEVEL	DESIRED SKILL LEVEL	ACTION PLAN	START DATE DUE DATE	PRIORITY	COMPLETE	NOTES
LEADERSHIP Have initiative & able to take charge of demanding situations	Basic	Advanced	Improve your leadership abilities by enrolling in a seminar or workshop.	11 April	3 months	10 July
TEAMWORK Ability to work in a team, specific knowledge of teambuilding	Proficient	Advanced	Work on projects that span multiple departments to develop your teamwork skills.	1 April	1 month	1 May
TECHNOLOGY Daily computer usage & job-related technical skills	Intermediate	Advanced	Improve your technical abilities and keep up with the latest innovations in the field by enrolling in a continuing education program.	1 April	6 month	30 Septembet
ANALYTICAL Ability to analyze data, information, business, or work-related situations	Intermediate	Advanced	Look for jobs and initiatives that will put your analytical skills to use.	1 April	6 month	30 September
COMMUNICATION Verbal, written, and comprehension skills	Advanced	Advanced	Improve your ability to express yourself verbally and in writing by enrolling in a professional writing or public speaking course.	11 April	2 Month	11 june

The comprehensive personal development plan with measurable objectives

The personal development strategy that incorporates measurable objectives derived from a self-evaluation of their aptitudes, competencies, and past experiences. The proposed plan comprises objectives aimed at augmenting the individual's leadership skills, computer proficiency, and communication aptitude. In order to enhance my proficiency in digital literacy, I aspire to successfully complete an online course pertaining to digital technology (Succi and Canovi, 2020). The creation of a comprehensive personal development plan, complete with measurable objectives, instills in me a sense of assurance that I will make significant strides towards achieving my aspirations and enhancing my preparedness for my forthcoming career.

CPD planner

My Continuing Professional Development (CPD) plan that includes measurable objectives aimed at addressing identified skill deficiencies and achieving future career aspirations (Mirkasimova and Ibodullayeva, 2022). One of my goals is to enhance my presentation skills by attending a public speaking workshop. This will aid in improving my communication abilities.

Objective 1:

• To improve my writing skills, I aim to complete an online writing course.
• I will initiate an individual endeavor that leverages contemporary technology to refine and enhance my proficiency in digital literacy.
• Register for a leadership development programme with the aim of refining my strategic-thinking and problem-solving proficiencies.

Objective 2:

• Engage in collaborative assignments to enhance my skills in leading teams.

Objective 3:

• Seek opportunities to undertake leadership roles in extracurricular activities in order to refine and enhance my leadership skills.

The implementation of this Continuing Professional Development (CPD) plan instills confidence in my ability to address my skill deficiencies and acquire the necessary knowledge, competencies, and practical experiences to achieve my career aspirations in the long run (Mahajan, et.al 2022).

Continual Professional Development Plan (CPD)

Name:	Stephen Debrah
Covering the period from:	April	To: September

Planned Outcome: Where do I want to be by the end of this period? What do I want to be doing? (E.g. I want to have developed a new specialism).

What do I want/need to learn?	What will I do to achieve this?	What resources support will I need?	What will my success criteria be?	Target date for review and completion
Be specific - clearly describe what you are planning to learn. Check is it realistic but challenging?	Take into account your preferred learning style. Detail the specific actions you are planning. Plan a mix of structured and unstructured activities.	Cost - time and money. Whose support do you need? Support is often essential in making informed decisions and providing you with the motivation needed to keep you on target.	What will you have learned? (Learning outcome). This is the measure to show that you've achieved your objectives. E.g. Certificate, learning log etc.	The date by which you have planned to achieve your development goal.
For a career in human resources at a large, respectable organization, I need to improve my ability to handle projects from inception to completion.	Take a course in project management online to get a grasp on the fundamentals.	A dependable source of internet learning resources.	Completion of the Project Management training program online with flying colors.	After 6 months, evaluate how well your project management abilities have served you in the real world by looking through your work.
Take part in a team project at work to hone your abilities and learn how to put them to use in the real world.	Software for organizing and keeping tabs on projects.	Employment-related contribution to the achievement of project goals and deadlines.
Assistance and direction from seasoned project managers acting as mentors.	Approval from the project's crew and other interested parties indicates successful management.

References

• Andrews, J. and Ramji, K., 2020. Connecting Work-Integrated Learning and Career Development in Virtual Environments: An Analysis of the UVic Leading Edge. International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning, 21(5), pp.643-656.
• Burnette, J.L., Pollack, J.M., Forsyth, R.B., Hoyt, C.L., Babij, A.D., Thomas, F.N. and Coy, A.E., 2020. A growth mindset intervention: Enhancing students’ entrepreneurial self-efficacy and career development. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 44(5), pp.878-908.
• Mahajan, R., Gupta, P. and Misra, R., 2022. Employability skills framework: a tripartite approach. Education+ Training.
• Mirkasimova, M. and Ibodullayeva, S.H., 2022. DEVELOPING AND RECOGNIZING SKILLS, TRANSFERABLE SKILLS, PERSONAL AND ACADEMIC SKILLS. Journal of new century innovations, 11(5), pp.176-179.
• Patten, R.T., 2020. It Takes Two: A Basic Interpretive Study on the Role of Intercultural Communication on Career Development.
• Succi, C. and Canovi, M., 2020. Soft skills to enhance graduate employability: comparing students and employers’ perceptions. Studies in higher education, 45(9), pp.1834-1847.

Week 2

Detailed development plan to support gaining meaningful employment

Goal: In the upcoming half-year period, my aim is to secure a challenging position within a leading organization that aligns with my career aspirations and academic background in Business management (Manesh, et.al 2020).

Objective 1: Develop a targeted job search strategy

• Research job market trends and identify potential job opportunities in desired field.
• Develop a list of target companies and organizations to apply to.
• Tailor resume and cover letter for each job application.

Objective 2: Enhance professional skills and knowledge

• Enroll in online courses or certifications that align with desired career path.
• Attend industry events and network with professionals in the field.
• Seek out relevant work experience or internships to gain practical experience.

Objective 3: Build a strong professional brand

• Update LinkedIn profile to reflect MBA degree and career goals.
• Create a personal website or portfolio showcasing skills and achievements.
• Participate in relevant industry discussions on social media and professional forums.

Development record to show progress in achieving targets set:

Date: March 1, 2023

Objective 1:

• Researched job market trends and identified 10 potential job opportunities.
• Developed a list of target companies and organizations to apply to.
• Tailored resume and cover letter for first job application (Demchenko, et.al 2021).

Objective 2:

• Enrolled in online course on project management.
• Attended networking event and connected with three professionals in desired field.
• Applied for internship opportunity at local organization.

Objective 3:

• Updated LinkedIn profile to reflect MBA degree and career goals.
• Started building personal website to showcase skills and achievements.
• Engaged in online discussions on relevant industry topics on LinkedIn and Twitter.

A comprehensive portfolio to present own employability, evidencing knowledge, skills, and experience aligned to identified future roles

My objective is to create a comprehensive portfolio that showcases my competencies, expertise, and professional background aligned with my envisioned career path, with the aim of exhibiting my potential for employment (Chang, 2019). My portfolio will encompass my academic endeavors, including research papers and presentations, as well as my professional background and extracurricular activities.

Up to Date CV

flyer of Career Fair I am preparing to participate

References

• Chang, B., 2019. Reflection in learning. Online Learning, 23(1), pp.95-110.
• Demchenko, I., Maksymchuk, B., Bilan, V., Maksymchuk, I. and Kalynovska, I., 2021. Training future physical education teachers for professional activities under the conditions of inclusive education. BRAIN. Broad Research in Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience, 12(3), pp.191-213.
• Manesh, M.F., Pellegrini, M.M., Marzi, G. and Dabic, M., 2020. Knowledge management in the fourth industrial revolution: Mapping the literature and scoping future avenues. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 68(1), pp.289-300.

Week 3

Career EDGE model

The Career EDGE model is a framework that helps individuals to identify and develop the skills and competencies that are necessary for career success. The acronym EDGE stands for:

E: Explore options

D: Develop competencies

G: Grow networks

E: Excel in interviews

Findings on the career edge model

The Career EDGE model can be applied to prepare for a chosen job:

• Explore options: The initial phase involves conducting a thorough investigation of the job market to identify appropriate job opportunities that align with one's aptitudes and areas of expertise. One can expand their knowledge regarding the various job positions by referring to job descriptions, company profiles, and market trends.

• Develop competencies: It is imperative to acquire the requisite competencies and skills for the desired occupations subsequent to their identification. One possible approach to achieving this goal is to engage in activities such as seeking relevant internships or volunteer experiences, pursuing additional education or training, and assembling a portfolio of achievements that demonstrate your competencies (Hora, 2019).

• Grow networks: The development of a network of industry contacts is a crucial element in achieving success in one's career. One can broaden their professional network by engaging in industry events, affiliating with professional organizations, and cultivating relationships with colleagues and mentors within their respective field. Remaining up-to-date with the latest industry trends, acquiring valuable knowledge, and obtaining useful guidance are all advantages that could potentially facilitate the exploration of new employment opportunities (Bono, et.al 2019).

• Excel in interviews: Finally, it is imperative to meticulously prepare for interviews and demonstrate your eligibility for the role. The process may involve conducting research on the company and the role, refining one's interview skills, and compiling instances that demonstrate how one's qualifications align with the requirements. Furthermore, it is advisable to be equipped to deliberate upon your career goals and how the role aligns with your future aspirations.

CareerEDGE Model – Self Reflection

Type of activity/ situation	Reflection and evaluation	Self-efficacy	Self-Confidence
Career Development learning	Reflection and evaluation	What have I learnt? I now understand the significance of competently leading a group to release their full potential and accomplish set goals. I've learned how to write reports and how to put theoretical principles into practice in real-world scenarios. My motivation, self-assurance, flexibility, and public-speaking abilities have all improved over the years. How can I implement this into practice? Applying what I've learned about leading teams will allow me to more efficiently distribute work among my employees by capitalizing on their individual skillsets and offering them constructive feedback and direction. As a business manager, I am able to put my skills in report writing and theory-to-practice application to use by regularly submitting reports that are both well-structured and analytical, revealing a thorough familiarity with the subject matter. What areas are still in development? My emotional intelligence, particularly my ability to deal with the unexpected and lead team members who have difficulty doing so, has space for improvement. I want to get better at allocating resources and keeping morale up in the face of adversity. How could I have completed this task better? I could have done a better job of completing the task if I had asked for and acted on feedback from team members and stakeholders as I went along. In addition, I may have analyzed our resources and looked at different approaches to work around the absence of team members.	Manage a group successfully, capitalizing on everyone's talents to reach a common goal.	I have faith in my teaching abilities because of positive responses from both students and colleagues.
Work Experience (Work and Life)	Task: leading a little staff. Budgeting is an essential part of adult life.
Degree Subject Knowledge,Understanding & Skills	Having proven command of both report writing and the practical application of theoretical topics.
Generic Skills	Skills that are more difficult to measure include drive, self-assurance, flexibility, and the ability to communicate effectively.
Emotional Intelligence	Being conscious of one's own actions and the effects they have on others, especially under trying circumstances like dividing up work when under pressure to meet a deadline.

Reflection

In general, the module has provided me with a valuable learning opportunity as it has facilitated a deeper comprehension of my aptitudes, limitations, opportunities, and threats in the context of my prospective professional trajectory. During the course of this module, I shall engage in introspection regarding my personal and professional development by utilizing the Gibbs reflective model. I conducted a self-evaluation of their cognitive and practical aptitudes, as well as their past encounters, to identify their proficiencies and deficiencies. This process facilitated the development of a comprehensive individual development strategy that includes measurable objectives with the help of Gibbs model.

• Description: Throughout the course of the module, the significance of reflective practice in both personal and professional growth was explored and studied. This process enabled me to create a comprehensive personal development plan that includes measurable goals.
• Feelings: At the outset, the user experienced a sense of being inundated with the extent of introspection and self-evaluation that the module demanded. The process of identifying personal weaknesses and opportunities for growth, in order to facilitate the attainment of future career objectives, proved to be a challenging task
• Evaluation: Through a comprehensive analysis of my knowledge, abilities, and past experiences, I conducted an evaluation to identify areas for improvement, utilizing a skill gap analysis. The Career Edge Model was also comprehensively studied by me, and its application to my preferred occupation was explored to ascertain the necessary skills and competencies for the position.
• Analysis: Upon completion of the module, it became apparent that the enhancement of my time management skills is necessary to effectively balance academic responsibilities, personal obligations, and professional development objectives. Conversely, it has been acknowledged that the individual possesses proficient aptitude in communication, delegation, and prioritization, which can be applied to various occupational positions.
• Conclusion: The module has provided me with a valuable learning experience, as evidenced by my concluding remarks. I express assurance that the acquisition of skills and competencies through the module will enhance my preparedness to confront the dynamic demands of the job market.

References

• Bono, M., Gerevini, A.E., Harabor, D.D. and Stuckey, P.J., 2019, August. Path Planning with CPD Heuristics. In IJCAI (pp. 1199-1205).
• Hora, M.T., 2019. Beyond the skills gap: Preparing college students for life and work. Harvard Education Press.