Charting a path for Growth: Creating a Professional Development Plan

Whether you just started a new position or are a veteran student affairs aficionado – professional development should always be on the brain. Professional development is a process of learning and training to improve skills, knowledge, and competence in a field. Some departments provide webinars, sessions, and funding to help an employee create their plan but that is not always the case. You are the guide, architect, and creator of your path. The graphic provides some helpful information to help start your journey. As I looked over and kept processing these ideas, it resembled the board game Candyland. So pick your favorite color gingerbread character and follow along.

Take time to ASSESS your current situation. Set up the board and look at all of the different spaces that you could encounter. Now dig deep into yourself. Think about your current strengths, skills, experiences, and areas for growth and how those show up in your current position. Do you enjoy the work that you are currently responsible for? How do your strengths show up in the work that you do? How can you build your current skill set? Think through each question as you build upon the journey that is individualized for yourself as you approach the starting point.

Before you begin moving through your own path, let’s plan ahead and GOAL SET. Set up the board and pieces, where do you want to go? What is the goal or purpose? Start with long term goals or the end game, what does that look like for you? Then link about some possible short terms goals or stepping stones along the way to help reach the long term goal. These short term goals should vary and carry different weights. If you hit a barrier or discover a setback, you will need to adjust. Figure out if there is still a path available to get towards the long term goal or has the path shifted and goals have changed?

Once your goals are determined, you will want to IDENTIFY a path to complete these goals. Take a look at the board and see all of the spaces. What spaces or opportunities are available to help you reach those goals? Look through internal resources, external resources, ask friends and colleagues, and even use the internet to discover what is out there and available.

Now that you have planned and prepped, let’s EXECUTE. Let’s make that first move. You can begin by creating a timeline and deadlines for your goals. You can determine your budget to help achieve your goals and align your professional development plan. Work with your supervisor to keep track and challenge yourself along your path. Pull the next card and use all that you have prepared to hop to the next color. Each piece along the way will help you complete your short- and long-term goals. And if it is not helpful, make the adjustments to focus on the end goal.

And last but not least. You should CELEBRATE. You do not need to wait for the long-term goal to be completed to celebrate. You should find joy along the way and celebrate each completed step. It is a big deal to look out for yourself and your professional development. Job responsibilities and emergencies creep in so each accomplishment, no matter how big or small, should be honored. And once you hit that long-term goal, begin again. Figure out what is your next path and where do you want to put your energy to help you succeed.

Charting a path for Growth: Creating a Professional Development Plan

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