Module Number: BMP3001

Module Name: Academic Skills and PDP

Year/Trimester: 2020-21/ Semester 1
Module Tutor/s: Usman Ahmed/ Lilian Okech-Appiah/ Benneth Nwafor/ Rexon Nting/
Andrey Jichev
Assessment Number 2
Assessment Type (and Individual Report - 80%
weighting) (2000 words)
Assessment Name Report on Personal Development
Assessment Submission Date Sunday 30 October 2022 at 23:59

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 ACADEMIC SKILLS AND PDP
Students name - Paula Raluca Stoleru

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 Executive Summary
This report deals with discusses the concept and importance of personal development
planning. In addition, it will describe situations in which PPD would help individuals to fulfil
the aims and objectives of individuals for professional development including a university
career. In this context, a discussion has been made on the value of long-term, medium-term,
and short-term by using personal examples. This report has also described the value of a
personal development plan and constructed examples based on identified goals.

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 Table of Contents
1. Introduction............................................................................................................................4

2. Concept of personal and professional development...............................................................4

3. Discussion of the value of short-term goals...........................................................................5

4. Discussion of the value of medium-term goals......................................................................6

5. Discussion of the value of long-term goals............................................................................8

6. Discussion of the value of a Personal Development Plan......................................................9

7. Conclusion............................................................................................................................10

Reference List..........................................................................................................................11

Appendix..................................................................................................................................13

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1. Introduction
Academic skills are strengths and abilities that provide students with a solid foundation to
acquire some social skills for personal and professional development (PPD). PDP (Personal
Development Plan) focuses on or looks inward to improve the competence, confidence, and
self-esteem of individuals. This report sheds light on the concept of personal and professional
development along with objectives and aims to foster professional development. In addition,
the value associated with short-term, medium-term and long-term goals will be discussed. At
the end of this study, the value of a personal development plan will also be evaluated and
constructed by using identified goals. 
2. Concept of personal and professional development
PPD can be defined as the way that enables individuals to access their own abilities and
skills, set goals, and consider aims in life to realise as well as maximise true potentiality. PPD
can be commenced in several ways - for instance, education, training, coaching, and changing
mindset. According to the statement of Fahara and Tobías (2019), self-improvement or
personal development consists of actions that develop capabilities of individuals, realization
of aspirations and dreams, facilitate employability, build human capital, and increase quality
of life. It demonstrates abilities for self-improvement by keeping qualifications up-to-date.
PPD has been described as collaborative and intensive, ideally including an evaluating stage.

Figure 1: Actions required in personal and professional development 

(Source: Fahara and Tobías, 2019)
 Personal development enhances self-esteem, and self-awareness to acquire skills and fulfil
aspirations. As mentioned by Iskakova and Esmuratova (2021), extroversion, openness,
agreeableness, neuroticism and conscientiousness are the five biggest personality traits of an
individual. These personality traits are serves as building block or pillar of personality and
thus needs to be developed to excel in a carrier in future. It has been observed that

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approximately 46% of individuals employed in companies and active in L&D (Learning and
Development) industry deemed negotiating and influence as indispensable skills (Statista,
2022). Hence, it could be said that PPD is a continuous process that supports mental growth,
social growth, emotional growth and physical growth.
3. Discussion of the value of short-term goals
Short-term goals can improve the career prospects of individuals by defining and helping
objectives for a specified time duration. As referred to by Du et al. (2019), short-term goals
are valuable because they minimise procrastination. These goals lay down a defined and clear
path to success, and help individuals stay encouraged in order to achieve long-term objectives
quicker. As opposed to by Andreassen et al. (2018), short-term goals are valuable because
they provide an immediate perceptible action for accomplishing long-term goals. Short-term
goals are useful to break down  a complex aim into smaller objectives to achieve a greater
one. Setting up short-term goals enables individuals to realise day-to-day activities.

Figure 2: Different forms of networking in a personal and professional setting

(Source: Autin et al. 2019).
In order to improve performance and productivity individuals need to focus on short-term
goals. For example, short-term goals increase work metrics such as efficiency, quantity, and
quality of work (Zacher et al. 2019). It allows individuals to prioritise work so that they could
deliver a project within a stipulated time period and thereby reducing costs. On the other
hand, short-term goals, allow individuals to keep practising continuous learning associated
with relevant professionals to attain long-term carrier objectives. 
A network is important to exchange ideas and information among individuals with a special
interest or common profession in a social setting. It could be done by participating in alumni
groups, personal-interest communities, and professional associations. For example,
networking could provide individuals with valuable contracts which in turn lead to new
opportunities while working in the industry (Autin et al. 2019). They can take full benefit of

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network opportunities by improving communication skills that help them successfully
communicate with right people. Apart from that, making efficient networking help
individuals to better coordinate with coworkers and team player. 

Figure 3: Benefits of technological advancements in personal development 

(Source: Andreassen et al. 2018)
Technological advancements can be considered a short-term goal because it enhances ease,
enjoyment and longevity of lives. For example, through technological development,
individuals would be able to acquire new information compounded over time and this could
be a professional asset for them in future (Sopa et al. 2020). With rapid expansion of
digitalisation, technology has become an integral part of the professional and personal lives
of individuals. It improves collaboration and communication significantly as it engaged tools
such as video conferencing, instant messaging, email, and social media ( Andreassen et al.
2018). This in turn is beneficial to drive faster completion of projects, better decision-making,
as well as improved client services.
4. Discussion of the value of medium-term goals
A medium-term goal provides a minimum amount of time for individuals to attain
significantly progress. It refers to the long steps towards achieving long-term objectives.
According to the opinion of Passmore (2018), medium-term goals are valuable because
individuals can take a bit longer time to align goals with carrier objectives. In context of PPD,
med-term goals help individuals to increase engagement in their personal life, upgrade
academic skills, and enhance job satisfaction. Effective time management allows individuals
to manage time wisely to increase happiness and improves work-life balance. For example, it
permits individuals to divide a larger project into smaller parts which require ample time to
return benefits (Alieksieieva et al. 2021). In such a situation, time management skill help

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individuals to better equipped with planning and regularity to finish tasks quickly and thereby
increasing productivity.

Figure 4: Time management required to fulfil medium-term objectives 

(Source: Alieksieieva et al. 2021)
Dedicating right amount of time prevents individuals from juggling many responsibilities. As
mentioned by Passmore (2018), decision-making is another aspect which requires a certain
time to analyse and evaluate objectives associated with a specific task. In such a situation,
time management medium-term goals will help individuals to track progress toward
achieving long-term objectives. Research skill can be defined as medium-term skill as it
takes a certain time to develop. For instance, by developing this skill individuals would be
able to identify a problem, collect information and resources that facilitate the identification
of problems, evaluation of resources to come up with an optimal solution (Lavrinenko and
Shmatko, 2019). It is an extremely important skill to collect and analyse facts, build
knowledge, and think critically in mind. Hence, individuals must develop this skill as a short-
term or medium-term goal and utilise its benefits in all types of situations.

Figure 5: Skills that are required to be developed 

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 (Source: Statista, 2022)
According to statistics, individuals must develop certain skills that have an impact on their
personal and professional life. Being capable of design thinking and having difficult
conversations are equally valuable skills for individuals to obtain substantial consequences at
the workplace (Statista, 2022). This is a mid-term skill because having difficult conversation
skills help individuals understand various perspectives on behalf of same topic. For instance,
individuals often require to have difficult conversations with teammaor employees in
personal as well as a professional carrier. This could be challenging for them without having
competence in effective communication skills. Hence, developing this skill during PPD could
provide opportunities for individuals for mid-term development and professional growth. 
5. Discussion of the value of long-term goals
Long-term goals help individuals to accomplish future objectives. In order to fulfil long-term
aims, individuals require extensive preparation and meticulous planning that consists of
short-term or medium-term goals. For example, being promoted to a senior position or
achieving a higher responsibility within a workplace can be considered a long-term goal
(Sunny et al. 2019). The reason behind this is that a senior-level position includes years of
hard work and experience of individuals. Considering career goals as professional
accomplishments require willingness of individuals to excel in career. It is a long-term goal
as it keeps people focused and motivated towards their work (Chalkiadaki, 2018). Earning
promotions, setting of new businesses, completing professional degree, and making a career
switch are few examples of long-term goals. 

Figure 6: Long-term benefits of developing leadership skills 

(Source: Sunny et al. 2019)
The development of leadership skills can be considered an example of a long-term goal
because it helps to lead people, to manage, recognise, and respond to changes to plans. As
opined by Sunny et al. (2019), good leaders prioritise self-awareness and personal

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development in order to perform greater responsibilities. It is a valuable skill because
individuals with effective leadership skills motivate others to achieve a common objective
whether in an academic career or in a professional workplace. On the other hand, retaining
awareness of weaknesses, strengths and potential sources related to bias may have an impact
on thinking as well as decision-making (Bakker and de Vries, 2021). The development of
these skills encourages individuals to take action in an innovative way and think strategically.

Figure 7: Future benefits of developing project management skills 

(Source:  Moldoveanu and Narayandas, 2019)
In an academic career, learners are required to work in a group to execute an academic
project which demands to development of many skills to oversee resources and balance
priorities. According to the words of Moldoveanu and Narayandas (2019), project
management is another long-term goal because it demands people must have interpersonal,
conflict resolution, and time management skills. A lack of this skill could be resulting in
reduced productivity, missed deadlines, and lost interaction that leads to internal conflict. It is
a valuable skill associated with long-term goals because it involves the development of hard
skills and learning skills such as project scoping and soft skills such as adaptability. Hence,
by considering these skills in personal and professional development individuals would be
able to take action by retrospection. 
6. Discussion of the value of a Personal Development Plan
PDP refers to the process of creation of an action plan based on the evaluation of values,
awareness, planning, reflection, and goal setting. It is a structural framework that allows
individuals to identify and develop required skills for fulfilling aims and objectives in context
of education, relationship, career, and even for self-improvement. Based on the view of
Sotnikova and Prokudina (2020), PDP is a continuous self-improvement process of the
realisation or fulfilment of talents and potentiality of individuals. It helps to define long-term
goals and personal vision more clearly. Whenever they clearly visualise the target, it becomes

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much easier for them to create a plan and work accordingly to fulfil the aim and objectives. It
is valuable because it facilitates promotion and career progression by revealing opportunities
for a career change. PDP is a document that outlined strengths of individuals that they require
to learn or change to reach to reach goals. Therefore, PDP allows individuals to become
aware of self by addressing attitudes, behaviour, values, habits and actions that they willing
to change. Individual who are dedicated to personal development can obtain a positive and
supportive growth journey (Sotnikova and Prokudina, 2020). In addition, through personal
development students can also develop transferable skills that will benefit them when they
are in the workplace. This can be complemented or guided by sorts of teachers. They might
be doctors, counsellors, mentors, personal trainers, business connections, work mentors, and
parents that support enough value to act on. Pursuing growth and personal development
successfully helps individuals to lead lives more content, successful, and happier.
7. Conclusion
Based on the above discussion it can be concluded that personal and professional
development is pivotal to ensure the enhancement and maintenance of skills and knowledge
needed to deliver professional services efficiently. As it refers to continuous development,
hence returns and results from personal development could be multiplied over time.
Individuals could develop professional networking skills within a short time by mentoring or
coaching and sharing important referrals as well as required outside information. Research
skills can be deemed a medium-term goal that helps individuals beyond their academic
careers by enabling them to understand the world better. Whereas, a clear and compelling
long-term goal provides a transparent pathway and exceptional motivation to individuals to
assess current strengths and weakness that needs to develop in the future. 

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Reference List
Alieksieieva, S., Yershova, L., Kravets, S., Lapshyna, O. and Odnoroh, H., 2021. Self-
education and self-management to develop entrepreneurship competence in future
professionals.
Andreassen, T.W., Lervik-Olsen, L., Snyder, H., Van Riel, A.C., Sweeney, J.C. and Van
Vaerenbergh, Y., 2018. Business model innovation and value-creation: the triadic way.
Journal of service management.
Autin, K.L., Blustein, D.L., Ali, S.R. and Garriott, P.O., 2020. Career development impacts
of COVID-19: Practice and policy recommendations. Journal of Career Development, 47(5),
pp.487-494.
Bakker, A.B. and de Vries, J.D., 2021. Job Demands–Resources theory and self-regulation:
New explanations and remedies for job burnout. Anxiety, Stress, & Coping, 34(1), pp.1-21.
Chalkiadaki, A., 2018. A systematic literature review of 21st century skills and competencies
in primary education. International Journal of Instruction, 11(3), pp.1-16.
Du, P., Wang, J., Yang, W. and Niu, T., 2019. A novel hybrid model for short-term wind
power forecasting. Applied Soft Computing, 80, pp.93-106.
Fahara, M.F. and Tobías, J.A.T., 2019. Critical aspects of the professional development of
higher education teachers. American Journal of Education and Learning, 4(2), pp.234-247.
Iskakova, L.M. and Esmuratova, G.Z., 2021. Development of intelligence as the basis for
personal and professional development. In Шамовские педагогические чтения научной
школы Управления образовательными системами (pp. 49-54).
Lavrinenko, A. and Shmatko, N., 2019. Twenty-first century skills in finance: prospects for a
profound job transformation. Форсайт, 13(2 (eng)), pp.42-51.
Moldoveanu, M. and Narayandas, D., 2019. The future of leadership development. Harvard
business review, 97(2), pp.40-48.
Passmore, J., 2018. Behavioural coaching. In Handbook of coaching psychology (pp. 99-
107). Routledge.
Roliak, A.O., 2020. Professional education of teachers in physical training and health: the
experience of Denmark. Pedagogy of physical culture and sports, 24(3), pp.143-150.
Sopa, A., Asbari, M., Purwanto, A., Santoso, P.B., Mustofa, D.H., Maesaroh, S. and
Primahendra, R., 2020. Hard skills versus soft skills: which are more important for
Indonesian employees innovation capability. International Journal of Control and
Automation, 13(2), pp.156-175.

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Sotnikova, S. and Prokudina, O., 2020. TO THE QUESTION OF THE CONCEPT OF"
CAREER GUIDANCE" IN THE CONCEPT OF COMPETITIVENESS. Economic and
Social Development: Book of Proceedings, pp.632-640.
Statista (2022). What skills do you need to develop? Available at:
https://www.statista.com/statistics/886125/skills-employees-want-to-develop-worldwide/
[Accessed on: 21 Oct 2022]
Sunny, S., Patrick, L. and Rob, L., 2019. Impact of cultural values on technology acceptance
and technology readiness. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 77, pp.89-96.
Zacher, H., Rudolph, C.W., Todorovic, T. and Ammann, D., 2019. Academic career
development: A review and research agenda. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 110, pp.357-
373.

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Appendix
Personal Development Plan 

Goals to be achievable  Action plan  Support/Resource Time-

required  bound

To improve technical skill By setting up the Internet tutorials, 6

to boost tech-related situation to practice by University equipment, months 
competence and efficiency embracing various Online instructions and
to obtain a better position in software, Enrol in guidelines
the industry after finishing seminars, workshops and
academic career  technical classes, 
Reading online tutorials
and technical books 

To improve communication Active listening by University library for 8

skills in order to strengthen avoiding interruptions,  reading a book, months 
relationships in personal as Practising paraphrasing, Communication with to
well as professional life  practising completeness friends and peers, 
while delivering Professional
messages  communication with
seniors and professors
through email 

To improve leadership By taking initiatives to Online training resources, 1.5

skills to bring out best empower team, a well-organized team, years 
abilities to motivate others Enrolment in leadership Mentors, Advisors and
to achieve a shared goal  development program  Coaches, Real-time
feedback 

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To improve time Delegate responsibilities Note taking application 12
management skills to deal by setting deadlines,  such as OneNote, time months 
with more projects, Schedule task-based on tracker, distraction
assignments and importance and urgency prevention tools such as
extracurriculars by avoiding and use technology to Zapier 
missing deadlines  remain accountable 

Table 1: Personal Development Plan 

(Source: Created by the learner)

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