Developing an Effective Career Option - Assignment Example

Personal and Professional Development Report Executive Summary Personal and professional development plan (PDP) is of immense importance for to develop a better career trajectory. The PDP also assists in identifying the skills that are essential for performing certain specific business operations. In this regard, the PDP has aided me in identifying my strengths along with weaknesses in relation to skills and knowledge required for conducting business operations effectively in the retail industry. Additionally, it has also aided me in developing my competencies to build a profession as a retail manager. The SOAR and MAP models have assisted me in recognising the skills along with knowledge that I have acquired from the Business Administration (BA) degree course last year. The models have assisted in identifying myself in an effective manner so that I might improve my competencies essential for developing my career in the retail sector. Table of Contents Executive Summary 2 Table of Contents 3 Introduction 4 Findings 5 SOAR Principles 5 Motivation, Ability and Personality (MAP) 10 What you Hope to Achieve 12 How will you Get There 13 What May Stop You 13 Conclusion 14 References 16 Introduction In the present modern day context, personal and professional development plan (PDP) plays an important role for students in developing their career plan. Presently, the market and business scenario have become competitive due to globalisation and increased infrastructural development, which in return has intensified the job requirements prospect currently (Rodriguez, 2009). In this regard, students in their academic life are required to possess adequate knowledge as well as competencies in order to enhance their job opportunities and career prospects (Alsop, 2013; Northumbria University, 2012). Correspondingly, PDP is of immense importance for students in formulating their professional programme. It is a formal way on the basis of which individuals are required to build their goals, outcomes along with strategies with the intention of having better learning and training facilities. In this regard, PDP is determined to be playing an effective role towards formulating an efficient career plan. Subsequently, the students while formulating career planning are required to visualise their future professional needs. In this respect, the students are required to possess adequate knowledge along with skills with the assistance of effective studies, investigation, practice as well as investigation. The PDP aids students in determining specific goals as well as tasks on the accomplishment of which, they are able to build their professional life effectively. The planning and goals that are included in the PDP provide better flexibility to the students. The PDP assists students in identifying their strengths along with weaknesses and accordingly, recognising their educational needs. The educational needs will aid the students in developing an effective career trajectory (Northumbria University, 2012). In this context, I need to develop a PDP based on SOAR principles, which comprise four elements that include self-awareness, opportunity awareness, aspirations and results. Additionally, the PDP will also be based on MAP that include motivation, ability and personality with the aid of which I will identify my personal U.S.Ps i.e. ‘what is unique about me’. Besides, the PDP based on SOAR principles and MAP will assist in identifying the skills that are essential to compete in the present job market as a manager in the international platform. Findings SOAR Principles The SOAR model encompasses four principles which include self-awareness, opportunity awareness, aspirations and results. The SOAR model has assisted me in identifying different areas that include actions, decisions along with consequences in relation to opportunities as well as challenges that I have witnessed in my daily life activities in an appropriate manner (Kumar, 2009). The analysis will enable me to outline my journey over the last year. The principles are described hereunder. Self-awareness I have been engaged with the course of management studies. In the last year, I have completed my study in the field of Business Administration (BA). The course comprised different subject area that include business strategy, China and UK business creation, contemporary issuing business, coaching and mentoring as well as contemporary retail marketing. On the completion of the course last year, I have identified different aspects about my skills, interests, abilities and values. The subjects also provided adequate information in relation to procedures on the basis of which international business is conducted. Moreover, the subjects studied in the BA degree course last year also aided in having a better understanding of the perspectives of developing business relationship on an international context. The course also provided a comprehensive knowledge about business planning, strategy formulation, market analysis and retail market operations and training and development importance. In this regard, I have witnessed that I possesses different strengths along with weaknesses based on the career I am interested to pursue. On the completion of the degree course, I have planned to pursue my career as a retail manager in renowned multi-chain retail store. Subsequently, the study course has assisted me in building my professional as well as personal competencies for performing managerial operations in an efficient manner. Additionally, the course study has also aided me to be competent in the present competitive job market scenario on a global context. The course study in the areas of BA has enhanced my knowledge about different aspects related to managerial skills essential conducting business operations of retail stores in a skilful manner. The course study has enhanced my knowledge as well as understandings about business issues, business strategies and present retail marketing operational requirements substantially. The career path I have chosen requires different skill-sets which include communication skills, decision-making skills, analytical skills, time management skills and teamwork among others with the intention of conducting retail business operations successfully. In this respect, the course study has assisted in developing my communication skill, analytical skill, managerial skills and decision-making skills to a large extent. On analysing my performance in the course study, I have recognised that my strengths lie in the field of communication skills, effectively comprehending feedbacks, being ambitious, having strong analytical skills and possessing open-mindedness. Moreover, the skills that I acquired are important for conducting retail business operations in a competent way. However, there are certain facets that include nervousness in case of talking in front of class, being unorganised, a lack of teamwork, impatience and ineffective time management are my weaknesses that I need to work on immediately. The skills that I lack the most are required to be improved in order to ensure that I am able to conduct retail business operations in a profitable along with competent manner as a manager. Contextually, the strengths that I possess in relation to skills will aid me in performing retail managerial operations in an efficient manner. In retail operations, as a manager I will be required to possess effective communication skills in order to ensure that business operations are conducted in accordance with determined business objectives. Additionally, I am capable of comprehending feedbacks in an effective manner, which is an essential skill in retail management, as the operations should be performed based on customers’ feedbacks and preferences. I possessed ambitious as well as open-minded skills with the assistance of which I will be able to reach customers and employees proficiently. The analytical skills will aid in understanding the performances of business operations and accordingly, devise appropriate business strategies in order to conduct business operations competitively. On the other hand, developing the skills that I lacked will assist me in conducting retail business operations in an efficient manner in a time efficient and organised manner. Opportunity-awareness The present job market scenario for retail management is identified to be intensified with stern competition. It is a challenging career option in the current job market segment, as retail managers are required to possess adequate knowledge along with skills with the aim of conducting retail operations successfully. Retail managers are entrusted with the responsibility of conducting day-to-day store operations efficiently. Additionally, retail managers are required to motivate staff members so that they are able to accomplish their sales targets. Retail managers should possess capabilities of analysing trends in the retail industry as well as ensuring that promotional events are organised efficiently (Brunot, 2014). The BA course in the last year has assisted me in obtaining adequate information in relation to business strategies, business issues in the current market scenario, retail business operations and coaching along with mentoring. In this regard, the course study has facilitated with the opportunity of formulating effective business strategies efficiently. Additionally, the degree in BA has aided in developing my analytical skills for identifying market trends and problems effectively. During the course study, I was offered with different group assignments, which assisted me in conducting group operations in a proficient manner. Contextually, it has developed my communication skills and interaction skills. Moreover, the study in the field of BA has also assisted in building my strategy formulation as well as planning skills with the aim of ensuring that business operations are conducted in accordance with specific objectives. In the degree course, I witnessed to possess certain weaknesses in terms of skills that include time management, teamwork and patience among others. In this respect, the degree course has enhanced my time management skills and performing operations in an organised manner to a certain extent. The degree course has been of utmost importance for me in developing my strengths and on the other hand, mitigating my weaknesses. Subsequently, the skill-sets have developed my competency level to a greater extent for better job opportunities in the retail segment. Aspirations The weaknesses in relation to skills required for retail management, which I have identified from the course study might act as a hindrance towards my career trajectory. The skills that include time management skills, organising skills, teamwork, patience and confidence are of immense significance in order to be competent for the present job market. In the retail sector, the skill-sets that I lacked are essential for a retail manager to conduct operations profitably as well as competitively. In this respect, deficiency of the aforementioned skills might adversely affect my entry in the retail management segment. Therefore, I have planned to formulate an action plan based on which I will make an effective set of decisions for enhancing the skills that I lacked. In this regard, the plan is based on the concept of developing my skills in the area of time management, confidence, organising, teamwork and patience. Subsequently, the course study and the skill-sets that I possess as well as willing to develop will assist me to be competent in the present job market for obtaining adequate skills that are required for retail managers. Contextually, the skills and the knowledge will facilitate me in conducting business operations with better accountability. As a manager, I will be entrusted with the responsibility of seeking that retail operations are conducted with better pricing along with business strategic options. Moreover, I will be able to conduct retail operations with better problem solving abilities, decision-making capabilities and timely manner. Subsequently, I will be also facilitated with the opportunity of conducting business operations with better flexibility. In this context, the skills and the knowledge acquired from the BA degree has been of immense importance presently for conducting business operations successfully as a retail manager. Results Contextually, to develop my career in the field of retail management as a retail manager, I should possess and develop skills that are important for executing managerial operations competently. In this context, I have planned to conduct my activities in a planned manner with the intention of performing the tasks in a time efficient along with organised manner. Additionally, I have consulted my mentor with the aim of developing my confidence and patience in the activities I perform on a daily basis. Respectively, the mentor has provided me with the opportunity of presenting the tasks that I am assigned with so that I am able to build my confidence and patience. Moreover, the mentor has assigned me with different group activities with the aim of conducting my operations in a better team effort. Correspondingly, I have been able to build my skill-sets that are essential for performing competitively in the retail market segment. Motivation, Ability and Personality (MAP) The MAP model is a procedure of developing an effective trajectory navigation in accordance with which I should develop my professional life (Williams & et. al., 2010). From the BA degree course last year, I have identified that I possessed and lacked different skills that are essential for performing activities as a retail manager in the present competitive business scenario. In this regard, I have formulated an action plan of developing my competencies that I lacked. The development of necessary skills will assist me to be competent in the field of retail management. The development of skill-sets as required in the current job market will aid me to be competitive and have better lob opportunity as a retail manager. The model also aids in understanding my USPs. The elements of the MAP model are described hereunder. Motivation I have been motivated to learn and develop the necessary skills that are essential for building my professional life as a retail manager. In this regard, during the BA degree course last year, I have adopted different training as well as development programs which include time management skills and teamwork among others. Subsequently, the training as well as development programs have assisted me in building my competencies for accomplishing my career interest in the field of retail management. I conduct analysis in an efficient manner of different situation and I am knowledgeable in comprehending feedbacks. I am also ambitious in developing my profession as a retail manager. Additionally, I communicate with my mentors effectively with the intention of recognising the different skills that are essential for retail management industry in the current scenario. I am motivated in obtaining all the necessary skill-sets that are important for conducting managerial operations in the retail market sector successfully. Ability I have identified that I possess different skill-sets essential for executing operations effectively in the present job market related to retail management. I have identified that I am proficient in different skills that include communication, comprehending as well as responding to feedbacks effectively, ambitious in obtaining my profession goals, possessing efficient analytical skills and open-mindedness towards different situations. The aforementioned skills would assist in conducting retail business operations successfully to a certain extent, as there are other essential skills important for performing retail operations competitively. Moreover, I have recognised that there are certain skills I lacked, but are essential for conducting retail operations effectively and competitively. The skills that I require to develop include time management, confidence, organising activities, teamwork and patience. Subsequently, I am required to develop these skills with the aim of performing operations retail manager in an efficient manner. Personality During my BA degree course, I have identified that I interact with others in an efficient manner and additionally, I comprehend feedbacks effectively with the aim of achieving better outcomes from them. I make decisions with proper analysis of different situations. Subsequently, I developed personality based on two important traits that include openness towards knowledge and conscientiousness. In this respect, the analysis of the three elements of MAP model has assisted in understanding that the skill-sets will assist in pursuing my career in the retail management segment. What you Hope to Achieve The development of PDP based on the model of SOAR and MAP has assisted in comprehending different aspects relating to skill-sets, knowledge and professional option in the field of retail management available for me. I have also identified that the skill-sets and the knowledge I have acquired from the BA degree course study might assist me in developing my career as a retail manager. The PDP has also aided me in identifying the different skill-sets that are essential for performing managerial operations in the retail industry competitively and successfully. How will you Get There In order to develop my career trajectory in the retail industry, I need to develop my competencies that include time management skills, teamwork and organising plans effectively with the aim of conducting retail operations in accordance with market along with customer requirements. In this respect, I have adopted SOAR and MAP model in order to identify my strengths along with weaknesses. The models have also aided in identifying my opportunities in the present job market in the segment of retail management. In this respect, an analysis of the self and other factors will aid in developing my skills essential to be competent for the present job market. In order to address my lacunas, I intend to practice the development of greater self-confidence to mitigate nervousness by engaging in more public speaking activities. Besides, involvement in time based activities such as deadline intensive tasks can enable me to address the issue of time management and become more organised as without being organised proper time management cannot be achieved. What May Stop You In the retail management industry, retail managers are required to possess certain specific competencies with the intention of conducting retail operations competitively. The analysis with the assistance of SOAR and MAP model in the PDP has signified that I lacked skills relating to time management, teamwork and confidence among others that might hinder in developing my career as a retail manager. Besides, the aspect of a lack of patience can create a major hindrance in attaining my desired professional position of a retail manager as for such esteemed job role inculcating patience to listen to subordinates along with unforgiving customers is of immense importance. Subsequently, I need to develop my skills that are essential to conduct managerial operations competently in retail operation. Conclusion It can be comprehended that the present scenario of the job market has intensified with increased competition owing to infrastructural development and globalisation. Contextually, in keeping with the intensification of the job market needs, PDP should be formulated with the aim of making a comprehensive plan of developing an effective career option. Subsequently, I have developed the PDP based on SOAR and MAP models in order to identify the different elements that are essential for building my profession in the retail sector. Contextually, the PDP will also aid in building my career plan on the basis of career opportunities and needs. In this context, the SOAR model has assisted me in identifying my strengths as well as weaknesses in relation to skills and knowledge required for performing retail operations effectively. The model has also facilitated me recognising aspirations along with results based on skills as well as knowledge possessed by me. Respectively, on analysing the model, I have comprehended that I acquire the necessary skills, which are important for conducting managerial operations as a retail manager. In a similar manner, the MAP model has aided in identifying the skills possessed by me. In this regard, the MAP model presents my USPs. Subsequently, with the assistance of PDP, I am facilitated with the opportunity of identifying that the preferable career opportunity for me is in the segment of retail management as a retail manager. References Alsop, A., 2013. Continuing Professional Development in Health and Social Care: Strategies for Lifelong Learning. John Wiley & Sons. Brunot, T., 2014. What Are the Qualifications to Be a Manager at a Retail Store? Managing Employees. [Online] Available at: http://work.chron.com/qualifications-manager-retail-store-8927.html [Accessed April 02, 2014]. Kumar, A., 2009. Personal, Academic and Career Development in Higher Education: SOARing to Success. Routledge. Northumbria University, 2012. Personal and Professional Development File (PPDF). School of Health, Community & Education Studies. [Online] Available at: http://www.northumbria.ac.uk/static/5007/hces/j12ppdf.pdf [Accessed April 02, 2014]. Rodriguez, J. A., 2009. Not Intuitively Obvious: Transition to the Professional Work Environment. Not Intuitively Obvious. Williams, K. M. & et. al., 2010. Identifying and Profiling Scholastic Cheaters: Their Personality, Cognitive Ability, and Motivation. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, Vol. 16, No. 3, pp. 293-307. Read More