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Reflect on your strengths and areas for growth again to develop a plan moving forward.
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Introduction
Critical thinking is an important outcome to master, and it is one you already have, which you have shown in the first two assessments. As a critical thinker, you develop the thinking skills necessary to think independently, initiate action, integrate differing points of view, and develop a process of reasoning. Every time you set a goal, develop a plan, organize something, or prioritize an assessment, that is you using critical thinking to be productive.
Overview
In this course, you have been learning how you can develop problem solving skills, while developing other abilities, like communication, personal and social responsibility, and initiative. Now it’s time to reflect on your strengths and areas for growth again to develop a plan moving forward. For this assessment, you will identify three outcomes that you would like to focus on and develop a plan for. As you think of which outcome you’d like to improve upon, consider choosing abilities at varying levels. You might, for example, choose something that you are already strong in, but would be excited to continue exploring and building upon, as well as an area that you might have more room for growth in. At the end of the assessment, you’ll leave with the beginning of a tangible plan for personal and professional development that you can review with the Career Center team.
Preparation
Review the template you completed for the Reflecting on Your Skills, Goals, and Accomplishments assessment and the feedback you received from your instructor. Download the
Skill Development Plan Template [DOCX]
for this assessment. Identify the three skills you plan to focus on and develop.
Instructions
Use the
Skill Development Plan Template [DOCX]
to complete the following steps. You will repeat steps 1–5 for each of the three skills:
1. Identify strengths and areas of improvement for targeted professional skills.
· Identify the first targeted skill. Summarize your strengths and areas of improvement in this skill area. Then, identify your desired outcomes around this skill area and write a positive goal statement. Complete the
Target Outcome, Strengths, Areas of Improvement, Desired Outcome, and Goal Statement sections of the template.
2. Discuss specific strategies and practices that will be used to further develop professional skills.
· To complete steps 2 and 3, specify the actions you can take to work toward your goals, with specific strategies and practices that you can apply. Identify any potential obstacles and challenges to achieving your goal. Complete the
Practices for Growth, Action Steps, and Potential Obstacles/Challenges sections of the template.
3. Identify supporters and resources that will contribute to the development of professional presence.
· Keeping your action plan in mind, identify trusted supporters and university resources that can help you in your skill development plan. Complete the
Key Supporters and Supporting University Resources sections of the template.
4. Explain connections between skill development and personal, academic, and career goals.
· Reflect on the connections between skill development and your overall personal, academic, and professional goals. Complete the
Benefits From Change/Connections to Personal, Academic, and Career Goals section of the template.
5. Write coherently with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.
Additional Requirements
Your submission should also meet the following requirements:
·
Written communication: Written communication is clear and complete and free from errors that detract from the overall message.
·
Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.
Review the Skill Development Plan Scoring Guide for details on how your assessment will be graded.
Competencies Measured
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria:
· Competency 1: Develop problem solving skills.
· Identify strengths and areas of improvement for targeted professional skills.
· Identify supporters and resources that will contribute to the development of professional presence.
· Competency 2: Apply problem solving skills and behaviors to a variety of situations.
· Explain connections between skill development and personal, academic, and career goals.
· Competency 4: Adapt skills to support a successful learning experience and career.
· Discuss strategies and practices that will be used to further develop professional skills.
· Competency 5: Compose text that articulates meaning relevant to its purpose and audience.
· Write coherently with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.
