Introduction
This section contributes to the various aspects of skills development programs, training, and module that are provided for the effective development of one’s knowledge area and so on based on professional, personal, and academic skills development. Professional skills development involves enhancing the skills that are necessary in the workplace. A college or university education prepares students with the technical skills needed to perform specific jobs, but students’ professional development extends beyond that. This also includes communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and time management. Students need to develop these skills to stand out in the job market and progress in their careers. Personal skills development refers to the improvement of an individual’s capabilities that will allow them to interact more effectively with others. These skills include emotional intelligence, self-awareness, empathy, adaptability, and resilience. Personal skills development can enable students to thrive in various contexts and situations, such as personal relationships, social interactions, and work environments Academic skill development involves improving skills required to succeed academically, such as critical reading, writing, research, and analytical thinking. Strong academic skills help students to excel in their courses, achieve good grades, and graduate with a stronger academic record. Additionally, strong academic skills allow students to absorb and apply knowledge, think critically, and express themselves effectively.
Professional development
The activity of assessing one’s performance contributes to being an essential tool for professional growth. It allows us to identify our strengths and weaknesses, set goals, and develop action plans to improve our performance and achieve desired outcomes. By analysing our actions and outcomes, we can make necessary adjustments to improve performance, develop new skills, and set realistic and achievable goals (Aslam, 2018).
Coaching is a skill that requires effective communication, active listening, and empathetic understanding. By coaching others, we can help them develop their strengths, overcome challenges, and achieve their goals. Coaching people involves the ability to actively listen, provide constructive feedback, and motivate them toward achieving their goals. It involves developing effective communication skills, empathy, and the ability to understand individual needs and motivations.
Negotiation skills are critical in today’s business world. It involves finding a win-win solution between parties and reaching mutually beneficial agreements. With the involvement of identifying and addressing the needs of other parties and finding mutually beneficial outcomes, it becomes effective for me to develop enhancing skills. Negotiation skills require effective communication, critical thinking, listening skills, problem-solving abilities, and the ability to handle conflicts.
Easter break or any other form of time off from work is also crucial for professional growth. It provides us with time to reflect, rest and recharge, which ultimately boosts our productivity and motivation. Easter break provides an opportunity to take time off from work and engage in activities that promote relaxation and rejuvenation. It also serves as a time for reflecting on personal and professional goals, assessing progress, and making necessary adjustments.
Also, feed-forward sessions are an effective way to receive continuous feedback from others and improve our performance. It involves receiving specific and constructive feedback on specific areas we want to improve, along with actionable steps to enhance our performance. It also enhances our performance by providing constructive criticism and positive feedback. It allows us to learn from mistakes, develop new skills, and improve overall performance.
However, the training that is provided during the lectures delivers essential tools for professional skills development. Assessing my performance, coaching people, negotiation skills, Easter breaks, feed-forward sessions, and other training programs had helped me in developing new skills, improving existing ones, and achieving personal and professional goals.
Personal development
With the help of various training and lectures that are provided to me in the period of studying and with the help of various modules, I can successfully provide some general information based on the benefits of the training delivered during the studying period for personal skills development.
It has been found that skills and behaviour are critical aspects of personal development. It allows me to identify my strengths and weaknesses, enabling me to target specific areas for improvement. By addressing my weaknesses, I can develop new skills and improve my overall performance (Larraz, et al., 2017).
Understanding occupational choices and career planning involves identifying my interests, passions, and desired career paths. Through career planning, I can assess my skills and experiences, set achievable goals, and develop a plan to reach my objectives.
Barriers to career planning may include a lack of self-awareness, lack of information about different career paths, and fear of failure. Identifying and recognizing these barriers can help me overcome challenges and move towards achieving my career goals.
Self-development involves actively engaging in activities that promote personal growth and improvement. This may include learning new skills, challenging yourself, and taking on new opportunities, which contributes to being very effective and enhancing and developing my skills and knowledge.
Self-leadership refers to the ability to take responsibility for my actions, thoughts, and emotions. By developing self-leadership skills, I can become more self-aware, confident, and effective in achieving my personal and professional goals.
Emotional Intelligence and multiple intelligences refer to the ability to understand and manage my emotions, as well as the emotions of others. By developing emotional intelligence and multiple intelligences, I am successfully able to improve communication, cope with stress, and build stronger relationships.
Academic writing and reflection writing are important skills for personal and professional development. They require critical thinking, analytical skills, and the ability to clearly express ideas in a written format, which contributes to being very effective and enhancing in developing my skills and knowledge.
CV writing and interview skills are also critical aspects of personal skills development. They involve the ability to effectively communicate my skills, experiences, and achievements to potential employers, and to develop my strong impression during the interview process.
However, the trainings that are provided with the help of various modules and lectures had provide essential tools for personal skills development. Assessing my knowledge, skills, and behaviour, understanding occupational choices, career planning, and developing self-leadership, emotional intelligence, and multiple intelligences all helped me build stronger personal and professional relationships, develop new skills, and achieve my goals (Ngang and Chan, 2015).
Academic development
With the help of various training and lectures that are provided to me in the period of studying and with the help of various modules, I can successfully provide some general reflections on the academic skills development that had been based on the pieces of training provided.
Time management is an essential life skill that is crucial for academic success. Being able to manage my time effectively helps to ensure that academic tasks are completed in a timely, organized, and efficient manner (Ruge, and McCormack, 2017).
Reading comprehension is equally important for academic excellence. It refers to the ability to understand and interpret written information. This skill enables me to comprehend complex texts, gather information, and identify key points for critical analysis.
Research skills are fundamental to academic research, writing, and critical thinking. I successfully developed my skills in how to conduct proper research, including referencing and citing sources properly, to produce credible and high-quality academic work.
Self-discipline refers to the ability to control one’s behaviours and emotions to achieve a specific goal. It is a critical skill that helps me to focus, stay motivated, and be accountable for my academic responsibilities.
Critical thinking is a cognitive skill that is essential for academic excellence. It enables me to recognise and evaluate information, solve complex problems, make informed decisions, and communicate effectively (Prokopenko, et al., 2020).
Presentation and public speaking skills are necessary for academic and career success. This skill enables me to effectively communicate my ideas, persuade others, and deliver my message with confidence.
Taking constructive criticism is an essential skill for academic and personal growth. It helps me to learn from my mistakes, refine my skills, and grow intellectually.
Attendance and absence are equally important for academic success. Regular attendance is fundamental to mastering course materials, engaging with peers, and demonstrating a commitment to learning.
Overall, the development of these academic skills is crucial for me to succeed in and beyond the academic setting.
Conclusion
From the above discussion on the professional, personal, and academic skills development it has been concluded that we had successfully developed our skills in the aspects for which various pieces of training and modules were provided by the teachers. Professional skills such as leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving are contributed to be necessary for career advancement, job satisfaction, and achieving success in a professional setting. Also, we have concluded that personal skills such as communication, critical thinking, and time management are crucial for building healthy relationships, making informed decisions, and achieving personal goals. As well as academic skills such as research, writing, and study habits are vital for learning, intellectual development, and academic achievement. Overall, developing these skills requires consistent effort, self-reflection, and a willingness to learn and grow. It’s important to seek out resources and opportunities for growth, such as attending lectures, workshops, and training programs, as well as seeking mentorship and feedback from peers and experts in the field (Taylor, 2016).
References
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Larraz, N., Vázquez, S. and Liesa, M., 2017. Transversal skills development through cooperative learning. Training teachers for the future. On the horizon, 25(2), pp.85-95. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Larraz/publication/316750615_Transversal_skills_development_through_cooperative_learning_Training_teachers_for_the_future/links/5a11daaba6fdccc2d79b65a0/Transversal-skills-development-through-cooperative-learning-Training-teachers-for-the-future.pdf
Ngang, T.K. and Chan, T.C., 2015. Critical issues of soft skills development in teaching professional training: Educators’ perspectives. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 205, pp.128-133. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042815050570/pdf?md5=3fbe3378f8f4fb7401ed44f30a4a8a24&pid=1-s2.0-S1877042815050570-main.pdf&_valck=1
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Ruge, G. and McCormack, C., 2017. Building and construction students’ skills development for employability–reframing assessment for learning in discipline-specific contexts. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 13(5), pp.365-383. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gesa-Ruge/publication/317148872_Building_and_construction_students%27_skills_development_for_employability_-_reframing_assessment_for_learning_in_discipline-specific_contexts/links/5c1117a54585157ac1bcdf6e/Building-and-construction-students-skills-development-for-employability-reframing-assessment-for-learning-in-discipline-specific-contexts.pdf
Taylor, E., 2016. Investigating the perception of stakeholders on soft skills development of students: Evidence from South Africa. Interdisciplinary journal of e-skills and lifelong learning, 12(1), pp.1-18. https://www.academia.edu/download/48793909/IJELLv12p001-018Taylor2494.pdf