essay on professional growth and development

Why is Professional Development Important?

Learn the role of professional development in advancing your career.

Lian Parsons

Professional development is an important aspect of continuing your career growth and striving to reach your goals.

This blog post will explain what professional development is, its benefits to both employers and their employees, and how to seek different opportunities out to reach your full potential.

What is Professional Development?

Professional development is gaining new skills through continuing education and career training after entering the workforce. It can include taking classes or workshops, attending professional or industry conferences, or earning a certificate to expand your knowledge in your chosen field.

Some companies offer in-house opportunities for professional development, such as training sessions or mentoring programs, but many professional development programs are done independently. 

Professional development is important because it has the potential to open opportunities for career advancement, such as promotions. It can assist you in honing existing skills and in learning new ones. 

It can also help you stand out in a pool of applicants; showing that you have completed professional development programs or additional industry certifications on your resume can go a long way in showing your expertise in your field.

Employees who show initiative in independent learning can signal to employers that you are open to new experiences and are enthusiastic about continuing to grow. 

Benefits of Professional Development for Employers

Professional development can be instrumental in growing a stronger team.

Employers who encourage their employees to seek out professional development opportunities are in turn encouraging higher productivity and job satisfaction. 

Higher Retention Rates

According to a Business News Daily article, businesses should offer professional development opportunities to their employees to improve potential turnover.

Professional development can help to bolster employees’ confidence in their work. Greater confidence can, in turn, translate into higher overall job satisfaction, employee performance, productivity, and overall morale. 

Investing in professional development training programs also shows employees that their company is invested in their success and interested in cultivating their advancement.

Attract Better Talent

It can be challenging to find — and retain — talented employees. Offering professional development opportunities can help employers fill open positions by attracting and retaining skilled employees.

According to talent management platform Clear Company, 74 percent of employees say that a lack of professional development opportunities are preventing them from reaching their full potential. Additionally, 94 percent of employees would stay longer at a company if it invested in staff development.

Employers offering these benefits are more likely to attract potential employees who are interested in striving for excellence and pursuing advancement. 

Investing in professional development for employees can grow an existing team’s skills and entice new talent to join with the incentive of a clear learning and development plan. 

Help Employees Stay Up to Date With Industry Trends to Keep Skills Sharp

Industry trends move rapidly, and it’s important for companies to keep pace with the times. Ongoing professional development can prevent potential stagnation by maintaining — and improving — employee skills. 

Look for programs that will help you stay up to date, such as those for agile leadership for hybrid work, or for innovation strategy .

Employees engaged in professional development are also more likely to stay engaged in their work and to be enthusiastic about pursuing their goals. 

Get started on your professional development journey today.

Benefits of Professional Development for Employees

From gaining confidence in your abilities to building potential for advancement, professional development offers employees many benefits for not only your career, but your personal goals as well. 

Learn new skills

Through professional development, you may hone both hard and soft skills in your work. Hard skills pertain to job-specific knowledge you can obtain through formal training or education. Soft skills are personal competencies, such as effective communication or the skills that contribute to emotional intelligence . 

Developing both types of skills is important to reaching your professional goals — and even some of your personal ones.

Boost Confidence and Credibility

Adding additional skills or certification from a professional development program to your resume is one way to boost your confidence in your skills and show your credibility to employers.

Professional development opportunities can expose both new and experienced professionals to new ideas and expertise. Seeking out these opportunities shows ambition and the space to practice those new competencies. 

Develop Leadership Skills

A confident employee is also likely an enthusiastic employee. If you take the step to grow and develop your skills, the incentive to seek out additional opportunities can continue to expand along with it. 

If you are an employee who wants to advance your career but isn’t sure how to do so, professional development can encourage you to put your hand up for leadership opportunities you may not have sought out otherwise. 

This blog post offers helpful tips on how to choose a leadership development program.

Build Your Network

Professional development can provide many opportunities for networking. Workshops, conferences, classes, and webinars are all spaces in which professionals can meet new people within their industry and make new connections.

These connections can lead to new opportunities, mentorship, and support which may provide the next stepping stone in your career. 

Advance in your career

A well-qualified employee attracts employer attention. Employees who are invested in professional development display commitment to their work and an interest in continuing to improve.

Professional development can also boost your earning potential by increasing your value through obtaining credentials, certifications, and designations. 

Where to Take Professional Development Courses

There are a broad range of professional development opportunities. 

Harvard Division of Continuing Education’s Professional & Executive Development offers dozens of courses spanning multiple industries. Your employer may even help you pay for these opportunities if you effectively show their worth.  

There are both in-person and online options available, so choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle.

Seek out programs, workshops, seminars, mentorship programs, and more within your industry. Investing in yourself is just the first step.

Take the next step to advance your career. Find the program that’s right for you.

Browse all Professional & Executive Development programs.

About the Author

Lian Parsons is a Boston-based writer and journalist. She is currently a digital content producer at Harvard’s Division of Continuing Education. Her bylines can be found at the Harvard Gazette, Boston Art Review, Radcliffe Magazine, Experience Magazine, and iPondr.

Strategic Leadership

Senior level managers must tackle complex problems using creative problem-solving and a portfolio of skills and styles. Here’s a look at how being a strategic leader can move an organization—and your career—forward.

Harvard Division of Continuing Education

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) at Harvard University is dedicated to bringing rigorous academics and innovative teaching capabilities to those seeking to improve their lives through education. We make Harvard education accessible to lifelong learners from high school to retirement.

• [email protected]
• (650) 338-8226

Cupertino, CA

• Our Philosophy
• Our Results
• News, Media, and Press
• Common Application
• College Application Essay Editing
• Extracurricular Planning
• Academic Guidance
• Summer Programs
• Interview Preparation

Middle School

• Pre-High School Consultation
• Boarding School Admissions

College Admissions

• Academic and Extracurricular Profile Evaluation
• Senior Editor College Application Program
• Summer Program Applications
• Private Consulting Program
• Transfer Admissions
• UC Transfer Admissions
• Ivy League Transfer Admissions

Graduate Admissions

• Graduate School Admissions
• MBA Admissions

Private Tutoring

• SAT/ACT Tutoring
• AP Exam Tutoring
• Olympiad Training

Research Programs

• Science Research Program
• Humanities Competitions
• Passion Project Program
• Ad Hoc Consulting
• Athletic Recruitment
• National Universities Rankings
• Liberal Arts Colleges Rankings
• Public Schools Rankings

Acceptance Rates

• University Acceptance Rates
• Transfer Acceptance Rates
• Supplemental Essays
• College Admissions Data
• Chances Calculator
• GPA Calculator

National Universities

• College Acceptance Rates
• College Overall Acceptance Rates
• College Regular Acceptance Rates
• College Early Acceptance Rates
• Ivy League Acceptance Rates
• Ivy League Overall Acceptance Rates
• Ivy League Regular Acceptance Rates
• Ivy League Early Acceptance Rates

Public Schools

• Public Schools Acceptance Rates
• Public Schools Overall Acceptance Rates
• Public Schools Regular Acceptance Rates
• Public Schools Early Acceptance Rates

Liberal Arts

• Liberal Arts Colleges Acceptance Rates
• Liberal Arts Colleges Overall Acceptance Rates
• Liberal Arts Colleges Regular Acceptance Rates
• Liberal Arts Colleges Early Acceptance Rates

How to Write a Personal Growth Essay 

By Eric Eng

How to Write a Personal Growth Essay

In the world of academic admissions, the personal growth essay stands as a monumental pillar where potential meets opportunity. It is here that students get the chance to showcase not just their academic prowess, but also their journey of self-discovery, growth, and the lessons that have shaped them into who they are today.

For students ready to weave their narrative into a compelling personal growth essay, this blog post seeks to be the guiding light that illuminates the path to success. Here, we delve deep into the crafting process, giving you tips to construct an essay that is both genuine and impactful.

What is a personal growth essay?

In the realm of college admissions, the personal growth essay serves as a formidable tool to express character, experiences, and personal evolution. This isn’t merely a timeline of events; rather, it charts the intricate journey of change, realizations, and discoveries that leave a significant mark on one’s life.

The Essence of a Personal Growth Essay

Central to the personal growth essay is the emphasis on the transformative journey of an individual. It’s not just a compilation of events or a simple chronological tale. This essay highlights your understanding, maturity, and moments of self-discovery. It narrates how experiences, both monumental and subtle, mold perspectives and guide future decisions.

Diving into the Aspects of Personal Growth

Overcoming Personal Challenges:

Life brims with tests of our strength and character. You might have grappled with personal insecurities, academic hurdles, or physical challenges. Discussing these in your essay isn’t merely about describing them. It’s about illustrating resilience, determination, and the tactics you employed to conquer them, giving readers an insight into your character’s depth and resilience.

Embracing New Skills or Hobbies:

Opting to delve into something unfamiliar, whether it’s a sport, musical instrument, or craft, often ushers in both challenges and rewards. Through this, your character layers are enriched by countless hours of practice, moments of frustration, and the exhilaration of finally mastering the skill. This journey showcases your curiosity, commitment, and incessant drive to evolve.

Shifting Personal Beliefs or Values:

Throughout your life, encounters with diverse cultures, people, and experiences might have reshaped previously held beliefs or values. Writing about this transformation can highlight your adaptability, open-mindedness, and maturity to embrace diverse viewpoints.

Gaining Insight from Memorable Experiences:

Life offers moments, be they during travel, community service, or a profound conversation, that trigger deep realizations. These epiphanies can recalibrate life goals, ambitions, and viewpoints. When you discuss such an experience, focus on its subsequent impact on your life.

Reflection as the Backbone of Your Essay

The reflection component is paramount in the personal growth essay. Merely narrating events isn’t sufficient; diving into their deeper implications is crucial. Consider asking yourself:

• What insights did the experience offer?
• How did it recalibrate your perspective on life or relationships?
• What emotions did you navigate during this phase?
• How have you integrated lessons from this episode into other facets of your life?

Your reflective thoughts highlight your analytical prowess, introspection, and profound comprehension. It’s these reflections that breathe authenticity into your narrative, allowing it to connect genuinely with readers.

In summation, the personal growth essay is a profound exploration—a journey of self-realization, maturity, and evolution. By emphasizing not just events, but their ripple effects, you can craft an essay that captures your journey and deeply engages readers.

Why is it important?

In the competitive realm of college applications, your essay serves as a beacon, showcasing your unique experiences, traits, and aspirations.

Among various essay topics, personal growth remains an illuminating choice. Why should you opt for this theme? Let’s delve into its unmatched importance.

1. The Universal Appeal of Growth

Everyone, regardless of background or age, undergoes personal growth. This universal theme ensures your essay resonates with many.

The Impact of Relatability:

Admissions officers don’t just seek a well-written essay; they yearn for a connection. By sharing your transformative experiences, you build a bond with the reader, tapping into shared human experiences.

A Broad Spectrum of Experiences:

Growth provides a wide canvas. It can encompass a range of experiences, from tackling challenges to significant self-discoveries, allowing you to mold the theme to reflect your unique path.

2. Demonstrating Resilience: The Story Behind Your Growth

Growth often emerges from confronting challenges, making errors, and bouncing back stronger. Such narratives showcase your adaptability and resilience—qualities universities admire.

The Importance of Resilience:

The dynamic college environment demands adaptability. By showcasing your resilience, you assure universities of your capability to handle diverse challenges.

Analyzing Your Growth:

Universities appreciate understanding how you achieve your growth. Did you proactively seek help? Did you reflect and pinpoint areas for self-improvement? Your approach to growth demonstrates your proactive nature and self-awareness.

3. Depth Beyond Grades

While academic achievements remain pivotal, they provide a limited view of an applicant. Universities seek multifaceted individuals, ready to become tomorrow’s leaders and innovators.

Showcasing Your Depth:

While grades reveal your academic competence, personal growth essays delve into your emotional intelligence, passion, and empathy. This perspective offers a comprehensive insight into the experiences that have molded your aspirations.

Charting Your Evolution:

Detailing your growth milestones illustrates your commitment to personal development. It’s an opportunity to highlight your journey, allowing universities to understand the individual behind the grades.

In conclusion, while numerous essay topics are available, focusing on personal growth presents a distinctive blend of universal appeal, resilience, and depth. Such an essay transcends academic achievements, offering a holistic view of your journey and readiness for the future. This perspective could be the distinguishing factor in your college application , setting you apart in the admissions process.

Crafting the Perfect Personal Growth Essay

Your personal growth essay stands out as a unique window into your soul, illustrating your journey, the challenges you’ve faced, and how you’ve transformed. How do you ensure your essay distinguishes itself among thousands? Dive into the art of crafting a compelling narrative about personal growth.

1. Choose Your Story: The Heartbeat of Your Essay

The essence of your essay lies in the story you decide to narrate. Growth can sprout from myriad experiences, both grand and ordinary.

Moments that Matter:

Your initial thought might be to highlight a significant event or milestone. Yet, often, what may seem like simple moments—a conversation, a book, or a fleeting thought—can leave lasting impacts. The focus should be on how deeply the experience changed you.

A Tapestry of Emotions:

Ensure your story covers a spectrum of emotions, from challenges and setbacks to triumphs and revelations, making your narrative both engaging and relatable.

2. Engage the Reader: Begin with a Bang

Your essay’s opening lines are pivotal. They can either draw in or push away the reader.

Imagery and Description:

Use vivid imagery and sensory details to immerse the reader in your world. Allow them to experience your journey firsthand.

Anecdotal Approach:

Initiate your essay with a brief, related anecdote, that serves as a captivating hook.

3. Deep Reflection: Delve Beyond the Surface

After narrating your experience, it’s essential to reflect on its significance.

Show, Don’t Just Tell:

Instead of merely stating your growth, use examples. Highlight how you’ve evolved over time.

4. Authenticity: Let Your True Self Shine Through

In your eagerness to impress, don’t lose your genuine voice or overstate events.

Unfiltered Truth:

Share your story, with all its vulnerabilities and imperfections. Authentic narratives, filled with genuine emotions, resonate most.

Consistency in Voice:

Your writing should sound like you. While articulation is crucial, avoid sounding overly formal or academic.

5. Review and Revise: Refine Your Narrative

After writing down your draft, approach it critically, refining it as needed.

External Perspectives:

Even though your narrative is personal, feedback from mentors, peers, or teachers can offer invaluable insights.

Grammar and Structure:

Ensure flawless grammar and a logical flow in your essay. This not only demonstrates your attention to detail but also makes your piece more engaging.

An essay on personal growth paints a picture of your experiences, reflections, and growth. By weaving your story with authenticity, depth, and clarity, you create a narrative that not only resonates but also stands as a testament to your transformative journey.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Your essay on personal growth stands as a testament to introspection, reflection, and transformation. Like all writing, potential pitfalls can diminish its power. Here’s how you can recognize and avoid these traps:

1. The Power of Detail: Avoiding Vagueness

Broad statements might sound deep, but often they lack depth and relatability.

Paint a Picture:

Instead of stating that you learned resilience, dive deep. Did you face numerous rejections before securing an internship? Did a subject challenge you until you mastered it? Specifics enhance authenticity and paint a clearer picture, letting your readers connect with your journey.

Make Your Story Unique:

Incorporate anecdotes, emotions, and observations. This touch makes your essay stand out and remain in memory.

2. Embracing the Full Spectrum: Not Just the Negative

Challenges drive growth, but they’re only part of the story. Focusing only on them overshadows the positive outcomes of the experience.

Spot the Silver Linings:

After detailing challenges, turn your attention to the lessons you gleaned, the skills you honed, and the positive shifts that occurred. This balance demonstrates resilience and the ability to find optimism during tough times.

Cherish Every Step:

Each growth moment, big or small, matters. Celebrate your increased self-awareness, moments of determination, and times of revelation.

3. More than Just a List: Showcasing Depth

Your essay isn’t merely an extension of your achievements. It’s a space to reveal the passion and struggle behind those accomplishments.

Detail the Journey:

An achievement marks a growth milestone, but the path, with its challenges and revelations, holds the true value.

Look Beyond Accolades:

Focus on the emotional and psychological growth layers, elements often hidden in the simple lists of a resume.

4. The Essence of Reflection: Go Beyond the Surface

Reflection is essential. An essay without it might seem shallow.

Probe Deeper into Your Experiences:

After sharing events, consider their impact. How did they influence you? Why did they matter? What did you uncover about yourself?

Chart Your Evolution:

Illustrate your transformation, highlighting shifts in perspective, values, or dreams.

To wrap up, writing about personal growth is an introspective journey. By navigating around these pitfalls, you ensure a narrative that’s impactful and a testament to your development.

Connecting Your Personal Growth Essay to College Admissions

For many students, navigating the college admissions process feels daunting. Each component demands precision and attention. Particularly, essays on personal growth provide a unique opportunity to display one’s development as an individual.

How can you strategically align this essay with your college aspirations? Let’s explore.

Demonstrating Fit: Aligning Your Journey with Academic Goals

Every student possesses a unique story. Where your journey intersects with academic ambitions, you can craft a compelling narrative for admissions committees.

Connecting the Dots:

Did a specific event deepen your interest in a particular field? By drawing a clear link between your experiences and your chosen major, you can show genuine passion and dedication. For example, if a robotics competition honed your problem-solving abilities and heightened your engineering interest, such a discussion would appeal to an engineering program.

Showcasing Alignment:

Though the journey is crucial, it’s also vital to demonstrate how it resonates with your desired college’s ethos, values, or curriculum. This alignment suggests to admissions committees not just that you’re an excellent student, but that you’re a perfect fit for their institution.

Distinguishing Yourself: The Unique Impact of Your Journey

With a sea of applicants boasting notable academic and extracurricular achievements, your essay on personal development can be the distinguishing factor.

The Power of Perspective:

Two students might share similar experiences, but their insights, reflections, and developments can be vastly different. Your unique viewpoint and depth of introspection can set your essay apart.

Narrating Uncharted Paths:

Some growth experiences are unconventional. Embracing and articulating these journeys can spotlight your individuality and determination.

Highlighting Soft Skills: Unveiling the Hidden Side of You

While academic excellence is vital, universities are increasingly valuing soft skills, as they often predict adaptability and success in various settings.

The Canvas of Growth:

Use your essay as a platform to highlight skills such as resilience, empathy, leadership, or conflict resolution. For instance, if you bridged cultural gaps during a study abroad experience, it underscores your adaptability and open-mindedness.

Balancing Act:

When detailing these skills, ensure your narrative doesn’t sound boastful. Focus on the journey, letting soft skills emerge naturally from your story.

An essay on personal growth isn’t just about individual development. It’s a strategic piece of your college application. By connecting your story to academic goals, showcasing unique viewpoints, and highlighting soft skills, you can craft a powerful narrative that emphasizes your suitability and worth as a prospective student.

As you approach the admissions process, having expert guidance can be invaluable. AdmissionSight specializes in helping students position themselves in the best possible light for college admissions. Their expertise can assist you in refining your personal growth essay, ensuring it aligns with your overall application narrative, and increasing your chances of being admitted to your dream college.

Remember, the college admissions journey is not just about showcasing your academic prowess, but sharing your unique story and growth. With the right guidance and a compelling personal growth essay, your dream college is within reach.

Want to assess your chances of admission? Take our FREE chances calculator today!

Why College Admissions Isn’t Perfect

US News Rankings

The Personal Statement: The Holy Grail of College Admissions

The Modern Day 4.0 and 1600 SAT Score Student Is No Longer Impressive

The Competitive Nature of College Admissions for Asian Americans

The College Application

Our Comprehensive Approach

Ivy League Schools

How Early Should You Prepare for College?

Featured in US News & World Report Best Colleges Publication

Congratulations to AdmissionSight Students and their Acceptances!

College Rejection

College Rankings

College Consultants Could Make A Difference

College Admissions Scandal and Higher Education

Ivy League Rankings 2024

10 Humanities Programs for High School Students

Where is Georgia Tech located?

How to Qualify for National Merit Semifinalist 2025

Where Is Harvey Mudd Located?

Where is the University of Virginia located?

Where is Wake Forest located?

Where is the University of Michigan located?

How to Update Caltech After Submitting Your Application

How to Update Yale After Submitting Your Application

What Are the Score Choice Policies at Top 50 Universities?

How to update mit after submitting your application.

Where is Carnegie Mellon University located?

How to Apply to LaunchX

How to Update UPenn After Submitting Your Application

Where is Georgetown University located?

How to Update Princeton After Submitting Your Application

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Recent Articles

10 Humanities Programs for High...

How to Qualify for National...

Where is the University of...

How to Update Caltech After...

How to Update Yale After...

What Are the Score Choice...

How to Update MIT After...

Sign up now to receive insights on how to navigate the college admissions process..

Admissions Counseling

• Academic & Extracurricular Profile Evaluation

Copyright © AdmissionSight 2024

Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions

Essays About Personal Growth: Top 5 Examples and 8 Prompts

If you’re writing essays about personal growth, our guide’s article examples and prompts will help stimulate your creative thinking.

Personal growth is looking at ways to improve yourself mentally, socially, spiritually, emotionally or physically. It is a process where we envision a better version of ourselves and strive to realize that ideal self. Personal growth demands the setting of personal goals and ensuring routine progress. The work toward personal development involves a great deal of hard work and discipline as we push our existing skills and strengths to a higher boundary while reducing our underlying weaknesses.  

Read our essay examples and prompts below to help you produce a rich and creative essay about personal growth.

5 Essay Examples About Personal Growth

1. is it really too late to learn new skills by margaret talbot, 2. i’ve completed hundreds of 30-day challenges. here’s what i’ve learned by tara nicholle-nelson, 3. i was a self-help guru. here’s why you shouldn’t listen to people like me by michelle goodman, 4. how to craft a personal development plan that inspires meaningful results by scott jeffrey, 5. personal development and the power of feedback by emily marsh, 10 prompts on essays about personal growth, 1. why is personal growth important, 2. take up a personal growth challenge, 3. your personal growth journey, 4. personal growth among successful people, 5. personal growth for leaders , 6. personal growth at work, 7. best personal growth books, 8. strong motivation for achieving personal growth.

“… [H]e decides to throw himself into acquiring five new skills. (That’s his term, though I started to think of these skills as “accomplishments” in the way that marriageable Jane Austen heroines have them, talents that make a long evening pass more agreeably, that can turn a person into more engaging company, for herself as much as for others.)

Learning new things may not be a cup of tea for those in their middle ages. To get out of established expertise, be looked down on as a novice, and push the brain to work double time may even be a dreary and intimidating process. , But Journalist Tom Vanderbilt, award-winning writers, and Nobel Prize recipients prove that satisfaction is worth it for personal growth and fulfillment. 

“I think of Challenges as self-directed projects to change my behavior or spark some personal growth or development I’m clear that I’d like to have. Sometimes I want a mindset shift or want to make (or break) a habit, or I just have a sort of big project I want to sprint to finish…”

Why are we so drawn to self-imposed challenges? For one, it’s a competition only between you and yourself, giving room for flexibility in the rules you set. It provides structure to your goals, chunks your bigger long-term self-growth goals into gradual and doable daily tasks, provokes a sense of self-accountability, and helps you focus your energy on what matters most. 

“Apparently, I learned, gurus are people too, even gurus lining the self-help shelves of friendly neighborhood bookstores. They aren’t infallible, all-knowing oracles above worrying about their generous muffin top or widening backside. They are businesspeople — businesspeople with books, keynotes, and openings in their consulting practice to peddle”

From abhorring gurus to becoming one and then hating the industry much more — this is the story of a self-help book author who realizes it was herself who needed the most advice for personal growth. But, as she creates a facade of a well-balanced life to establish her credibility, things turn dark, almost costing her life. 

“When entertainment, distraction, and workaholism consume our attention, something doesn’t feel right within us… To have a full and meaningful life requires us to open to more dimensions of ourselves. And a Personal Development Plan can help us do just that.”

Everyone strives for personal growth. But once we jump at it, some wrong ingredients may spoil the sense of fulfillment we expect. The right process involves navigating your potential, creating a larger vision, selecting areas to focus on, setting your schedule, and monitoring your progress. You might also be interested in these essays about motivation .

“Without feedback, we would learn very little about ourselves, in or out of work. The feedback process is like holding a mirror up to yourself; that’s why it can be uncomfortable at times. You have to be prepared to listen to and acknowledge whatever reveals itself.”

Hearing feedback is critical to personal growth. Negative feedback is constructive in losing our bad habits. However, purely positive feedback is non-progressive and dangerous if we only seek to affirm how we regard ourselves.

We can never be perfect. But we can always progress. In your essay, explain why nurturing a growth mindset in life is essential. What long-term benefits can you reap daily from wanting to be a better person? How does it affect the mind, body, and overall wellness? Answer these while citing studies that outline the essence of personal growth.

Take up any challenge you find exciting and feel up to. Then, write about your experience. If successful, offer tips to your readers on how one can prepare their body, mind, and discipline to stick to the goals. If you did not complete the challenge, don’t worry! Your failure can still be a learning experience that contributes to personal growth and is worth writing about. In addition, you can add what areas of yourself you would like to improve on if you ever take up the challenge again. 

Talk about your goals and your daily efforts to reach this goal. It could relate to acing a test, your sports team winning or professional success. Of course, there will be a handful of challenges in any journey toward a goal. What were the obstacles and distractions that tried to keep you off track? Share these with your readers and how you strived or are striving to conquer them.

When you see people already at the height of their careers, you’ll find some continuing to walk out of their comfort zones and reach for the next higher mountain. For this essay, explain the connection between striving for personal growth and success. Then, provide a list of everyday habits among successful people that others could consider adopting.

Leaders must adapt and address problems efficiently and decisively as they move through a fast-changing landscape. Elaborate on how the pursuit of personal growth helps leaders deliver in their enormous role in organizations, companies, and communities.

If you firmly believe that growth at work translates to personal growth, it would be less hard for you to get by at work. But this gets a bit more complex if your feel that your work is no longer satisfying your self-actualization needs and even limiting you. For this prompt, help your readers determine if it’s time to quit their job and continue their journey for personal growth elsewhere. If you want to address companies, offer recommendations enabling their employees to grow and have a vision for themselves. You may also suggest how managers can keep an open line of communication so that personnel can relay their self-development needs.

We all have that book that has given us a new kind of energy that made us feel and believe we can do anything if we put our heart into it. We keep these books close to our hearts, serving as a reminder of other bigger goals ahead of us when the going gets tough. Create a numbered list of the books that have captivated you and helped you realize your potential. Talk about the best quotes that struck the chord and the thought racing in your mind while reading them.

When you tap onto your inherent and external motivation for a much-needed push, it may be easier to turn bad moments into something that helps advance personal development plans. For your essay, explain how motivation can be a bridge to get you to your growth goals.

If you’re still stuck, check out our general resource of essay writing topics .

For help with this topic, read our guide explaining what is persuasive writing ?

• Entertainment
• Environment
• Information Science and Technology
• Social Issues

Home Essay Samples Life

Essay Samples on Personal Growth and Development

Community service: the synthesis of societal progress and personal growth.

The tapestry of society is woven with myriad threads, each representing diverse pursuits, challenges, and endeavors. Among these threads, community service stands out as a beacon of altruism and societal progress. Through various academic studies, personal narratives, and historical references, it becomes evident that community...

• Community Service
• Personal Growth and Development

Personal Reflection About How to Find True Passion in Learning

Is there we could learn from others? How can I help others/myself learn? As we all know humans are better than the other animals at learning from each other. We must always take benefit of this power and learn from as many people as we...

Growing A Grit And Growth Mindset

In today's society, there is a belief that intelligence is tied to GPA. There is a stereotype about intelligence. It is the idea that you are either smart or not smart. You either understand it or you do not. What happens if you are between?...

• Intelligence

Why I Want To Be A Nurse And My Future Plans

A family nurse practitioner is a trained person in the field of nursing that majors in looking at the wellbeing of a patient either a child or adult based on family context. The aim of this research is to focus on seven main key points,...

• Why I Want To Be A Nurse

The Role of Personal Development Planning Today

The essay deals with the PKSC module experiences that reflect on the academic study. Here, the different lectures are guided regarding the reflection that ensure the personal development. The other skills are mentioned research skills, digital skills, reading skills and MS office skills. Besides, the...

• Personal Development Planning
• Personal Goals

Stressed out with your paper?

Consider using writing assistance:

• 100% unique papers
• 3 hrs deadline option

Do What Makes You Believe: Standing Up For What You Believe In

We all know that every person has its own different beliefs as they experience it, specially from the places or culture they have been through that has been past through out the different generation. It may be different from the usual happenings but it still...

Building Capacity: Improving Your Skills

On behalf of Access Community Services Limited, which is one of Australia’s foremost multinational, Non- Governmental Organizations and has more than thirty years of experience in the provision of employment, training, youth support services, opportunities for migrants and refugees, and empowerment of the women as...

Sports And Life Experiences And How They Shape The Person You Are Today

Over time, people have begun to believe sports shape people poorly, they’ll say that it makes the player arrogant, cocky, and even rude, but what if I told you they were completely wrong? What if I told you sports changed your personality for the better?...

• Competitive Sports
• Individual Identity

Never Quit Or Give Up: Personal Story Of Not Stopping

It was a bright Saturday morning at the fields I was seven years old and all that was going through my head was “just quit, you’re not good” and I think “just go home and watch tv.” The thoughts just kept continuing and now I...

• Never Give Up

Benefits Of Being Open Minded And Tolerant To Other People

As we grow up, we are told to keep an open mind, as it is equated with growth and positivity. It helps people find opportunities, take risks, manage uncertainty, and understand other people. However, there are certain events in our lives which make us close-minded....

Fun Hobbies And Interests That Can Enrich Your Life

Summer’s finally here! After all those exams, research papers and group projects, it’s finally time for a well-deserved, long break. I’m sure you’ve already made plans to fill up your time during this vacation. That’s great. Have some sun and fun travelling to interesting places...

• Positive Psychology

Important Info To Know About Hobbies And Interests

The realm of interests includes some thing for anyone. There is no fascination or expertise so imprecise that we now have no other people to discuss it with. So, think about something that you love to learn about or would love to discover how to...

Growing Up: The Same Person That You Were 5 Years Ago

What causes a person to change? Could it be a person's age, physical appearance, their mindset? Even if these things change does that necessarily mean a person themself is changing? Is it still that same person if everything about them is different from when they...

My Personal Responsibility: Taking Responsibility For Your Actions

First of all, I have a personal responsibility to know who I am, what I can do and what I want in my life. What's going to help me set my goals, know the strategies I'm going to use, and know how to fight for...

• Personal Beliefs
• Responsibility

The Significance Of Philosophy In My Personal Philosophy Of Life

Philosophy “love of wisdom”, the study of knowledge an activity some people take part in when they seek to understand fundamental truths about themselves, the world they live in, and their relationships to the world and to each other. As an academic discipline philosophy is...

• Personal Philosophy

Being In National Honor Society: What Makes Me A Good Candidate

When my parents placed a for sale sign in what used to be our front yard, I lost the sense of feeling at home. Our dining table was no longer used for sharing a warm, hot meal on ceramic, detailed plates. Instead, it was used...

• National Honor Society

Du Bois And His Theoretical Contributions As What I Learned In Sociology

Introduction For this paper, I have chosen to write about Du Bois and the historical issues, theoretical contributions, and the contemporary relevance of his sociological work. Du Bois was very influential in the sociological field, he gathered a wide range of theoretical ideas and embedded...

Defining Sociology: What I Learned In Sociology

What is sociology? Sociology defined by the Oxford dictionary states that it is ‘the study of development, structure, and functioning of human society’. Or to make it simple the study of society and social problems. Many things make up sociology. Three major Sociological perspectives are...

Personal Idea Of Real Self And Striving To Be Ideal Self

As the name suggests, the ideal self refers to the characteristics a person wants to have (Przybylski et al. 2012) - this could be in all aspects of self, including appearance, personality, lifestyle, etc. A match between a person’s ideal and actual self-concepts has been...

• Being Yourself
• Personality

Incorporating A Growth Against Fixed Mindset In Education

Good morning! I need you guys to shake that feeling of tiredness and give me your undivided attention. Don't worry I will make it worth your while, just stay with me. I would like to start with a couple of statements, I want you to...

• Growth Mindset

Hard Work Over Talent As The Key To Success

The one vast element of being’s civilization is the conception of the equal opportunity. The notion that some of us are given more capacity than others is a general problem globally, as most of people take that, as human kind, all people are supposed to...

How Hard Work Beats Talent When It Comes To Success

Colin Powell once said “A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.” No one has ever achieved their dream through wishing upon it, although many have tried. To ever achieve you’re aspersions you must put your all into it....

Learning Patience And Its Importance In Life

How to learn patience when you don't see what you want to happen materialize in your life. You make an effort, but you would like it to go anyway faster! Here are some ways to allow time for things to build naturally: Everything you learn...

• Relationship

Fixed Mindset Vs. Growth Mindset: What Characteristic Leads To Success 

Remembering an unforgettable quote I have read from a book called “Life, the Truth, and Being Free” by Steve Maraboli, like a miracle, it has played a significant role on changing my mind and the way to choose to face the obstacles. “Once your mindset...

Motivation Letter On Abolishing Mental Slavery And Becoming Open-minded

Imagine that you have to talk about other people's gestures on talk, where you try to reveal the originality that you get a sharp scolding. In such a situation, the mind does not get matured. All his originality is destroyed and corrupted. That mind becomes...

• Mental Health
• Mental Slavery

Ultimate Values Of Human Life In The Movie The Ultimate Gift

Have you ever met a spoiled kid with no concept of work or any other type important ethics? In the movie The Ultimate Gift, this happens. The Ultimate Gift is a movie about a spoiled young adult, Jason, whose grandfather passed away. The man expects...

• Values of Life

Character Journey and Development of Tsitsi from the Novel Nervous Conditions

“The victimisation I saw was universal.” The bildungsroman Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga functions as a feminist novel which aims to unravel the nuances and incongruencies of the traditional Shona culture and the Western colonial modernity in alignment with Tambudzai’s progressive character development. This essay...

• Nervous Conditions

Goals and Purposes of the Wilderness Programs

To begin, multiple options have been made to provide therapeutic interventions for at risk youth like wilderness experience programs. According to Ruddell and Thomas, wilderness experience programs can include adventure-based therapy, wilderness therapy, outdoor behavioral healthcare, experimental learning, or education and wilderness boot camps (Ruddell...

• Development

Born to Run: Learning Not to Give Up in a Race

With shaky knees, I hesitantly made my way across the field. The moment of truth was on me. With the back of my hand, I brushed away the remaining salty tears from my face. The official times of the girls who qualified for state were...

• Personal Strengths
• Track and Field

Gratitude: Knowledge of Giving Thanks in Life

To take things for granted is a very human attitude. In general, it is difficult for us to appreciate what we are used to. There is a mechanism in us that makes us live, unconsciously, with great greed for novelty. Yes, as soon as this...

The Insights Brought to the Personal Identity in Literature

Reading fiction and poems were not always my favorite activities. In the last couple of months, after reading through various poems and stories, introduced to me a wider and unknown perspective of human character, of the disparity of the social class and various forms of...

• To His Coy Mistress

Pragmatism’s Take on Education and Learning

Introduction Pragmatism is a philosophical tradition that began in the US. Charles Sanders Peirce is often regarded as the Father of Pragmatism. Pragmatism revolves around the concept of accepting practical solutions rather than ideological ones. Pragmatists believe in change, rather than sticking to the idealist...

The Definition Person of Substance

We may be considered a fully-grown adult today. However, we are still in the process of learning how to navigate the world and interact with the places and people within it. And during this interaction we meet with all kinds of people. There are some...

• Helpful Person

Analysis of Subtext and Characters from the Anime Movie Spirited Away

The subtext of Spirited Away is when Hayao Miyazaki said that the inspiration for the story came from meeting the sullen 10-year-old daughter of a friend and his desire to make a film that would give her some useful lessons. These lessons provide us with...

• Spirited Away

Overview of the Education Programms at The Hutton House

The Hutton House is a place where people with developmental needs can attend for a variety of programs. They have programs for fitness, adult education, artworks, daybreak and life works. The Hutton House does service a thousand different individuals that have developmental disabilities. These programs...

• Adult Education Program

Application of the François Truffaut’s Auteur Theory to Mel Gibson's Filmography

Historic overview Mel Gibson was born in January of 1956 to Hutton and Anne Gibson who were“staunch Catholics” (Peter Carrick, 1998, pg.18) which became the main focus of Gibson’s upbringing and then his creative direction as director. As Carrick (1998, pg.19) also said “The children...

Childhood Memory That Shaped Me as a Person

We all have childhood memories that we hold dear to us. These memories are what get us through the dark days and cheer us to keep going. Imagine how it would be if we lost those childhood memories. It would be sad because we would...

• Childhood Memories

Comparison of Me from My Childhood Memories and How I Changed Through Years

Childhood. We say that this is the happiest time of life. But we begin to appreciate it only when it passes or has already gone away for good. Growing up, we begin to evaluate the world around us and people in a different way. We...

Movies and Screenplays that Influenced My Work on My Own Storyboard

My chosen brief was to establish and develop a single character. The protagonist I used was female and I decided to develop this character. The screenplay and storyboard I created called ‘Apart’ is about the loss of a relationship and the reminiscent aspect people go...

Character Transformation of Dunstan Ramsay in Fifth Business

Experiences are something that can change a person's life for the better or for the worse. In the novel Fifth Business, written by Robertson Davies, the main character Dunstan Ramsay encounters many experiences that shape him into the person the reader knows by the end...

• Fifth Business

The Personal Growth of Achilles in Iliad

From the begging of The Iliad, the character Achilles is played out to be a very petty, haughty, and vengeful character. Throughout the book Achilles can seem to be a little rude but towards the end he seems to have matured and can be seen...

Integration of Diversity in Social Studies 

One of the most interesting perspectives and theories I have read in this class was proposed to us by Postman(1995), the idea of a “school-god narrative” (p. ). The idea of school is like that of a Church, except not in the traditional religious setting...

Personal Perspective on Mindset: How You Can Fulfil Your Potential

I chose to read this book because of the reviews and recommendations I got for it, and because of the author, ms. Carol Dweck, which is a Stanford University’s psychologist. The research behind this book is enormous so the amount of knowledge inside is trusted....

• Self Awareness

Dancing in the 1920’s Compared to Dancing Now

“Dancers are the athletes of God”. 'Good morning/afternoon honourable judges, teachers, staff, parents, and fellow students'. That quote was made by Albert Einstein. As u know Albert Einstein is scientist but he did love dance. Dancing is considered a sport that allows you to express...

• Competition

The Question of What It Means to Be a Human

The whole question of what it means to be human can de defined in many different ways. The overall idea of humanity is constantly being bounced around between a variety of perspectives, trying to understand what the life we live in means. To me, I...

• Human Nature

Personal Growth in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a bildungsroman novel written by Mark Twain that tells us a series of events that happen to a boy from the south of the United States who lives in a town near the Mississippi River. A bildungsroman is a...

How The JROTC Program Helps Me To Put My Leadrship Skills in Use

I have a very tight-knit family, and we believe in giving back to our community and our country. At a very young age, I began to assume leadership and teaming roles. In school, I have or am currently performing as the Team Member/Middle Hitter, Stockbridge...

How the Power of Gratitude Can Change Your Life

To have a healthier heart we must relax and learn to value the little things and value what we have in its rightful measure. Lao Tzu left us a phrase that should make us reflect: 'gratitude is the memory of the heart'. The power of...

• Personal Qualities

Living with Gratitude: Opening the Door for Self-Improvement

Gratitude Living: More often than not, we find ourselves going through life with a lot of anxiety, stress, sadness and hurt and mostly for things that are beyond our control. In the present world, it seems that we are all in a craze to achieve...

The Role of Volunteering in Community and Personal Development

Introduction The objective of this literature review is to attempt to discuss on the topic of “Volunteering”. In the early years to the present day, there are many studies that are related to this area. This dissertation will go through a much more comprehensive literature...

• Helping Others
• Volunteering

Properly Dealing with Adversity to Meet Challenges Life Throws at You with Resilience

“I never lose. I either win or learn.'' These words that Nelson Mandela said should be true for everyone. He suggests that we shouldn’t view adversity as a bad thing but instead view it as an opportunity. If we view adversity as an opportunity then...

Adversity, a Harsh Path Towards Personal Development

While adversity is never longed for by anyone, perseverance during pain or a trial will result in personal development. The famous Roman poet Horace phrased this idea as, “Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.” Examples of...

The Importance of Facing Adversity and Using It as an Opportunity to Grow

There is adversity and challenge in life. The question isn’t whether you are faced with adversity or not. You’re going to meet adversity but how are you going to face it? Take all the energy you want to use towards giving up and divert it...

Neo Confucianism: Ethical and Personal Growth

Confucianism seems to have been one of the major thoughts and ideas for 2000 years in conventional Chinese culture, and has been leaving a great effect on Chinese culture, economy, politics, and social psychology. However, with communist took over in 1949, Marxism ideology has replaced...

• Confucianism

How To Develop Your Skills

Everyone wants to have a fulfilling career. But, why do you think you need to have it? and why always the successful people want to develop themselves and their skills more. Developing skills is great thing to do, it will help in our life, in...

Re-thinking My Personal Development Theory

The study of this article that I found that caught my attention is Re-thinking Youth Suicide: culture, and Power, by Jennifer White and Michael, Summer 2014. In this article it examines, the resource for re-thinking youth suicide is Sociocultural and a political issue. Social and...

Maturity And Myself: Key Aspects That Affects Me

There are three critical perspectives that play a noteworthy run in my life. They can be arranged as scholarly, social, and profound. My scholarly self is intriguing in light of the fact that I am predominantly right-brained which implies that I tend to utilize my...

• Self Reflection

Computer Science – An Area To Realise My Potential

The catalyst for my my interest in computer science was found back in year nine, when I discovered Apple’s Swift programming language and the iOS development frameworks. Armed with these, I devoured hours upon hours of lectures and programming talks and undertook multiple personal projects....

• Computer Science

Self-Assessment Of The Principals And Practices Of Personal Effectiveness

Introduction The aim of this assignment is to submit a piece of written work that demonstrates my understanding of the principals and practices of personal effectiveness which include: Self-awareness Time management Goal setting Stress management Positive management Reflection and evaluation of learning. For all of...

The Place of Culture In Personal Development

Culture, religion, and gender in my opinion play a big role in who we are as people. They shape our morals and why we act and do the things we do. If any of these three things were different, it could drastically change someone’s life....

• Sociological Imagination

Identifying Personality by Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and Using Adlerian Techniques for Treatment

Part 1 The results of my MBTI assessment are: Extravert: I was at nine percent which means I have a slight preference of Extraversion over Introversion. Sensing: I was at forty four percent which means I have moderate preference of Sensing over Intuition. Thinking: I...

Challenges Are Opportunities Or Obstacle

Difficulties are a piece of regular day to day existence. They make us more grounded and without them life turns out to be to some degree unimportant in light of the fact that we don't have anything to contrast the great circumstances with. These difficulties...

Creating Personal Evolution Through Mindfulness And Self Love

What is keeping you from achieving your goals or overcoming a situation or obstacle? Is it the fear of taking yourself out of your comfort zone to make a drastic change; even if you know it is for the better? A lot of us may...

• Human Evolution
• Personal Life

Dealing With Failures & Mistakes

How to deal with failures and mistakes We all fail sometimes. Failure is an integral part of a human being’s reality. Whenever I fail at something, I go through these basic sequences. Accept the fault. The hardest thing about failing is learning to fully and...

• Personal Experience

How I Reached The Perfection I Had Always Wanted

“Good afternoon class! Please clear off your desk and get out a pen or pencil. ” It was only after I had run across the building that I heard this phrase, feared by so many. It is this phrase that is so often used to...

How I See Myself Engaging In And Contributing To Team Fuqua

Growing up, my parents taught me that in order to go far in life, I needed to learn from the people around me - from my bosses and colleagues to my classmates. Inadvertently, these people became my extended family, still are, and we have learned,...

Liberal Self Improvement Vs. Fascist Self Mastery

As the decayed edifice of modernity moves along on to its natural conclusion, more and more young men are finding their souls hollowed out inside. Thus they are seeking something more, therefore it's no surprise that apparent inspirational figures like Jordan B Peterson are becoming...

Main Steps Towards Sharpening Your Talents

"To ignore your talent, is to ignore God in your life. To attempt to succeed apart from your talent, is to insult the wisdom of God. He made things that way. Every person on this planet is talented and you are not exempted, believe me...

The Main Drivers of My Fascination of Mathematics

One of the most striking aspects of mathematics for me is how something so seemingly abstract can have such a major purpose in the inner mechanisms of the universe. For example, which number, when multiplied by itself, is -1? By inspection, you can see that...

• Mathematics in Everyday Life

My Interest In The Internal Medicine Residency Program

I am writing this letter to express my genuine interest in the Internal Medicine Residency program at the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC). Upon researching thoroughly, it’s clear that you’re looking for a candidate that is extremely familiar with the responsibilities associated with this role and...

The Impact Produced By Ml Techniques In Practice During The Past Decade

The reviewed article makes a thorough analysis of the impact produced by ML techniques in practice during the past decade. One of the central directions of the work is the classification of the present jobs or skills as “SML” or “not (yet) SML”. At the...

The Importance Of Living On Purpose

By world standard, Jesus should be regarded a failure. No material possession, no wife, and died at 33, an age most people would term too early to die. Guess what? For living his purpose, more than two thousand years after his death, the world has...

The Principles Of Self-Discipline

Being a self-directed person means following autonomous methods of learning to be successful, following our own terms or preferred ways. One of these methods, which I believe to be of great importance, is taking initiative in wanting to do and learn something new, and continue...

The Use Of Essay Writing Skills In Real Life

Subsequently, um, we Hate to confess it, nonetheless, newspaper writing is equally very important. Nearly all of the second we urge the standpoint as analysis papers and books, along with the best way to writing them have a number of pitfalls. However, admit that school...

• Writing Experience

Applying the Benefit of the Doubt in Order to Live a Happier Life

Walk outside on a clear night and look up at the sky. There are thousands of stars piercing through a blanket of darkness. Due to human nature, we are full of assumptions. One of them being that the stars we see are actually there. But...

Analysis Of My Growth Through The Lens Of Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory And Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory

A theory is an interrelated, coherent set of ideas that help to explain phenomena and facilitate predictions. As Santrock rightly explained, it is difficult, if not impossible for any child to grow strictly through the lens of just one kind of theory. The eclectic theoretical...

• Erik Erikson

Best topics on Personal Growth and Development

1. Community Service: The Synthesis of Societal Progress and Personal Growth

2. Personal Reflection About How to Find True Passion in Learning

3. Growing A Grit And Growth Mindset

4. Why I Want To Be A Nurse And My Future Plans

5. The Role of Personal Development Planning Today

6. Do What Makes You Believe: Standing Up For What You Believe In

7. Building Capacity: Improving Your Skills

8. Sports And Life Experiences And How They Shape The Person You Are Today

9. Never Quit Or Give Up: Personal Story Of Not Stopping

10. Benefits Of Being Open Minded And Tolerant To Other People

11. Fun Hobbies And Interests That Can Enrich Your Life

12. Important Info To Know About Hobbies And Interests

13. Growing Up: The Same Person That You Were 5 Years Ago

14. My Personal Responsibility: Taking Responsibility For Your Actions

15. The Significance Of Philosophy In My Personal Philosophy Of Life

• Perseverance

Need writing help?

You can always rely on us no matter what type of paper you need

*No hidden charges

100% Unique Essays

Absolutely Confidential

Money Back Guarantee

By clicking “Send Essay”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. We will occasionally send you account related emails

You can also get a UNIQUE essay on this or any other topic

Thank you! We’ll contact you as soon as possible.

Essay on Personal And Professional Development

Students are often asked to write an essay on Personal And Professional Development in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Personal And Professional Development

What is personal and professional development.

Personal and professional development means growing your skills and qualities to reach your goals. It’s like leveling up in a game, but in real life. You learn new things, get better at what you do, and understand yourself more. This helps you at school, work, and in daily life.

Learning New Skills

Setting goals.

Think of goals as a map for your journey. You decide where you want to go, and then you make a plan to get there. For example, if you want to be a writer, you start by reading a lot and writing stories.

Overcoming Challenges

Sometimes things get tough. You might fail a test or face a hard problem. But don’t give up. These challenges teach you to be strong and keep trying. It’s part of growing up and getting better.

Working With Others

You’re not alone. Working with friends, teachers, or family helps you learn teamwork. It’s important because in school and jobs, you need to work well with others to succeed.

Being Your Best Self

Always try to be the best you can be. This means being kind, working hard, and being honest. When you do this, you feel good about yourself and make the world a better place.

250 Words Essay on Personal And Professional Development

Personal and professional development is about growing and getting better in both your private life and your job. It’s like leveling up in a game, but instead of a game, it’s your skills and knowledge. This growth helps you do better in school, work, and even when you’re just being yourself.

Learning New Things

One part of developing yourself is learning new things. This could be learning how to play a musical instrument, speak a new language, or understand math better. In a job, it could mean learning how to use a new computer program or how to be a good leader. Learning doesn’t stop when school ends; it’s something you can do your whole life.

Setting goals is important. Think about what you want to achieve, like getting better grades or earning a promotion at work. Write your goals down and make a plan on how to reach them. It’s like having a map that shows you where to go and how to get there.

Getting Better at What You Do

Improving your skills is another big part of development. Practice makes perfect, as they say. The more you do something, the better you get at it. This is true for hobbies, school subjects, and work tasks.

Why It Matters

500 words essay on personal and professional development.

Personal and professional development is about growing and getting better in our lives and jobs. Imagine it like leveling up in a video game, where you gain new skills and become stronger. In real life, this means learning new things, becoming better at what we do, and understanding ourselves more.

The Importance of Learning New Things

Learning is not just for school. It is a lifelong journey. When we keep learning, we stay sharp and can do our jobs better. This could mean reading books, taking classes, or just trying out new things. For example, if you want to be a chef, you would practice cooking different dishes. The same goes for any job or skill you want to get better at.

To grow, we need to know where we want to go. This is like having a map for a trip. We set goals to guide us. A goal could be something like wanting to read 20 books in a year or learning how to make a website. When we have clear goals, it is easier to make plans and work towards achieving them.

Understanding Yourself

Getting feedback.

Feedback is when others tell us how we are doing. It’s like when a teacher gives you comments on your homework. It can help us see things we might not notice about ourselves. So, it is good to listen to feedback from friends, teachers, or bosses, and use it to grow.

Balance and Health

Working with others.

No one grows alone. We often need help from others, and we can also help them. Working in teams at school or with colleagues at work teaches us how to get along with different people and learn from them.

Embracing Change

The world is always changing, and we need to be able to change with it. This means being open to new ideas and ways of doing things. Sometimes it may be scary, but it is also exciting to learn new things.

Personal and professional development is a never-ending path. It is about learning, setting goals, understanding ourselves, getting feedback, staying healthy, working with others, and being ready for change. By focusing on these areas, we can grow and achieve our dreams, both in school and later in our jobs. Remember, every small step we take in improving ourselves can lead to big changes in our future.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

• Undergraduate
• High School
• Architecture
• American History
• Asian History
• Antique Literature
• American Literature
• Asian Literature
• Classic English Literature
• World Literature
• Creative Writing
• Linguistics
• Criminal Justice
• Legal Issues
• Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Political Science
• World Affairs
• African-American Studies
• East European Studies
• Latin-American Studies
• Native-American Studies
• West European Studies
• Family and Consumer Science
• Social Issues
• Women and Gender Studies
• Social Work
• Natural Sciences
• Pharmacology
• Earth science
• Agriculture
• Agricultural Studies
• Computer Science
• IT Management
• Mathematics
• Investments
• Engineering and Technology
• Engineering
• Aeronautics
• Medicine and Health
• Alternative Medicine
• Communications and Media
• Advertising
• Communication Strategies
• Public Relations
• Educational Theories
• Teacher's Career
• Chicago/Turabian
• Company Analysis
• Education Theories
• Shakespeare
• Canadian Studies
• Food Safety
• Relation of Global Warming and Extreme Weather Condition
• Movie Review
• Admission Essay
• Annotated Bibliography
• Application Essay
• Article Critique
• Article Review
• Article Writing
• Book Review
• Business Plan
• Business Proposal
• Capstone Project
• Cover Letter
• Creative Essay
• Dissertation
• Dissertation - Abstract
• Dissertation - Conclusion
• Dissertation - Discussion
• Dissertation - Hypothesis
• Dissertation - Introduction
• Dissertation - Literature
• Dissertation - Methodology
• Dissertation - Results
• GCSE Coursework
• Grant Proposal
• Marketing Plan
• Multiple Choice Quiz
• Personal Statement
• Power Point Presentation
• Power Point Presentation With Speaker Notes
• Questionnaire
• Reaction Paper

Research Paper

• Research Proposal
• SWOT analysis
• Thesis Paper
• Online Quiz
• Literature Review
• Movie Analysis
• Statistics problem
• Math Problem
• All papers examples
• How It Works
• Money Back Policy
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• We Are Hiring

Professional Development at Work, Essay Example

Pages: 7

Words: 2022

Hire a Writer for Custom Essay

Use 10% Off Discount: "custom10" in 1 Click 👇

You are free to use it as an inspiration or a source for your own work.

Introduction and Thesis Statement Development

Providing people with career and professional development opportunities is an effective way of employee motivation. According to Stone et al. (2008), autonomous motivation has a great positive impact on employee satisfaction, retention, performance, and motivation. The below report will examine what the most successful ways of motivating and empowering workers are in an international organization.

The thesis statement the author would like to examine is as follows:

Employees who are provided with a personal professional development plan are more likely to participate in process improvement projects within the organization, and will feel a stronger connection with the company than those who are not given the opportunity to pursue their professional goals within the organization.

Literature Review and Research Development

Several authors talk about empowering employees through providing them with professional development opportunities. The Cornerstone project (2010) created an overview on the impact of employee empowerment. According to the authors, an empowered employee would be provided with the opportunity to do what they do best every day, while the workplace encourages their development, talks about their progress, and provides them with growth and learning opportunities.

The benefits of empowering employees through training and lifelong learning projects are evident for employees, but they can also provide several advantages for companies. The Cornerstone project (2010) lists some of the major competitive advantages gained by companies encouraging professional development of employees. First, a workplace where employees are empowered is more engaged. Quoting related statistics, the authors state that “companies with higher-than-average employee engagement also had 27 percent higher profits, 50 percent higher sales and 50 percent higher customer loyalty” (Cornerstone, 2010, p. 5). Further, studies show that workplaces where employees are encouraged to grow and learn have a higher overall performance and productivity level. Finally, at empowered workplaces, employees’ personal goals are more aligned with the organization’s vision and mission, and companies achieve a 144 percent increase in their ability to plan for future talent needs.

From the theoretical point of view, several frameworks can be applied to investigate the relationship between employee development and engagement. The Self-Determination Theory (SDT) states that people are more encouraged to do better if they feel like their values and goals are understood by the organization (Ryan & Deci, 2000). Therefore, instead of using the “carrot and stick” type of motivation, companies should start listening to employees, understanding their preferences, values, and aspirations, in order to support them in personal and professional growth. This approach can also lead to intrinsic motivation, described as a type of engagement between the company and the employee where “employees work for passion, pleasure, and interest. In contrast, integrated regulation occurs when people fully endorse the importance of the work even though they may not find it interesting” (Stone et al., 2008).

Goodall et al. (2005)  evaluated the impact of continuing professional development in schools on performance and motivation. Based on the results of the large scale survey carried out in the United Kingdom, the authors created some important recommendations for professionals creating professional development plans on an individual basis. First of all, evaluation of performance and training needs is crucial to delivering the most appropriate training schedule and materials. The impact of learning on motivation and job performance should also be measured by employers. Finally, the authors found that there was a need for differentiating learning and development programs, based on roles, personal needs, and background.

Literature Evaluation and Suggestions

Based on the above review of literature, it is evident that creating personal professional development plans for employees would have a positive impact on their motivation and engagement level. It is recommended by the sources analyzed that it is important to match the training provided to the needs of individuals, and listen to workers. Therefore, the best practices of creating a professional development plan at work should focus on collaboration, discussion, monitoring, and evaluation.

Several frameworks for motivating employees through training and career development opportunities have been created by researchers and HR professionals in the past few years. Zahra et al. (2014) found that “ongoing training of current employees is as important as of new employees; it helps them to adapt their daily routine work according to rapidly changing job requirements and to improve their performance on current job and prepares them for an intended job”. Reviewing several frameworks related to professional development, the most customizable and democratic model was found to be Bramley’s Individual Model of Training. This framework’s strength lies in its complexity and the individual consideration. Suitable training is offered on an individual basis, after assessing experience, competencies, and training needs. Through enhancing individual performance of employees, companies can benefit from a relevant and motivated talent pool that they can turn into organizational competencies and competitive advantages.

The main steps of professional development frameworks at the workplace, however, are similar. The process starts with the training needs analysis (including training gap analysis), followed by designing the different phases of training and setting clear objectives. All models also emphasize the need for evaluating the program’s effectiveness, completing employee interviews, and monitoring progress.

It is recommended that companies planning to design professional development programs create individual plans based on the following elements of design: gap identification, training needs assessment, goal and objective setting based on discussions with employees, creating a training program design, hiring trainers or purchasing programs, creating methods of motivation, and providing ongoing support. It is also important to reward trainee employees based on their achievement, and monitor the effectiveness in order to initiate changes that would make the professional development plan more rewarding for both the company and the employee.

It is important based on the findings of the above research that companies encourage employees in achieving their personal and professional goals. Employees seeking learning and development opportunities will face two options. They could stay within their current roles and settle for less, or look for another company that would help them become the professional they would like to be. If the company does not encourage learning at the workplace, retention and employee motivation, as well as work morale will be negatively affected. This is the reason why companies should work together with their employees to foster their aspirations and provide career development opportunities. This will increase employee engagement, help aligning individual goals with the organization’s culture, increase productivity, and employee motivation. As a result, companies will gain skills through employee training that are necessary for facing the challenges of today’s highly competitive business environment.

Career and Professional Development Plan

In the retail environment of the company FootLocker, it is important that employees remain connected to the brand and motivated. It has been found that employee motivation has a positive impact on job performance and customer service. Therefore, it is recommended that FootLocker’s local store implements a professional development program that suits employees’ and the company’s needs.

There are several training methods the company could implement: co-funding college education and certificate programs, online learning, coaching and classroom based customer service lessons, or on-job professional development. Before deciding on which method to choose, the company will need to identify training needs of the company, and find the relevant available courses to meet the expectations.

In the retail environment, training needs are generally concentrated around customer service, time management, communication, and managing people. FootLocker has recently realized that filling internal managerial roles makes the organization more effective, and employees who used to work alongside with their manager are more likely to accept their authority and communicate openly with them. This results in a better team performance, better alignment of goals, and a greater level of understanding among team members. It is also proven that filling upcoming managerial roles internally through fostering talent would increase employee motivation and make workers feel appreciated and respected.

Further, it is important that training programs are designed to meet current and future job requirements and are relevant to employees’ roles. In FootLocker, most personnel needs communication and interpersonal skills on a daily basis. They, on the other hand, also need to adapt to changes within the market and in the company. Most employees face diversity at work and need to deal with culturally diverse customers. Therefore, training programs based on sales, communication, empathy, diversity, inclusion, and team building would benefit the company in particular.

Needs Assessment

It is recommended that the company focuses on individual training needs based on regular appraisal results and discussions with line managers. In order to assess individual training needs, there is a need to implement an effective tool for employee skills evaluation. Performance reviews should include career planning and development sections, and self-evaluation forms as well, in order to provide workers with recognition of prior learning. Without the company knowing about the current skill set and education level of employees, it would not be able to tailor professional development programs to individual needs. An employee training and training needs questionnaire needs to be developed to help line managers develop training plans.

Training Gaps Assessment

This assessment would not only focus on the existing skills of employees and competencies needed for doing the job, but also review the company’s current practices related to new employees’ training and coaching. This way, the company can identify training goals and gaps that exist within FootLocker, and adjust the basic employee integration processes to the needs of the company, market, and employees. Training gaps assessment needs to be completed on a regular basis, as the competitive landscape of the retail industry is in constant change.

Creating Learning Management Programs

It has been identified that college education programs are not relevant to the roles in FootLocker, therefore, skills development and customer service courses need to be assessed and selected based on the completed needs and gap assessment. Today, there are many online certification modules available through interactive classrooms and online learning. These cost-effective courses are able to help employees do their jobs better, and improve their leadership skills. Two types of training programs need to be created: one for employees willing to remain in the retail environment, and dealing with customers on a day-to-day basis, and one for team members planning to pursue a career in management.

Training Program Development

The simplest and most flexible way of developing training programs within the company is to create a list of modules that are available based on previous training and qualifications, role, and career goals. All modules could be combined on an individual basis, therefore, training would be made suitable for individual needs. The training program modules should be covering the following aspects of current and future roles:

• diversity and inclusion training
• understanding customer needs
• effective communication
• team building
• leading change
• brainstorming
• personal target management
• motivating buying behavior
• building rapport
• leading teams
• motivating employees
• dealing with difficult situations

Implementation

After selecting the online training company to deliver the interactive modules, during the following appraisal and performance review meeting, line managers would discuss individual training need and make a decision along with team members. It is recommended that the line manager and the employee together create a schedule and completion target, with regular review meetings. Personal learning development will be reviewed during these meetings, as well as the career progression opportunities within the company. Employees who are motivated to move on to leadership roles would need to be provided with advice and guidance in order to feel appreciated and motivated. Presenting team members with leadership opportunities to support their transition, such as leading projects within the company or taking part in organizing events would help them get ready for their further role. Coaching, therefore, should be a crucial part of the implementation process.

Evaluation and Monitoring

Employees’ experience with the professional development program’s delivery should be evaluated. Competencies of staff before and after taking part in the courses should also be measured to determine the effectiveness of each module.

Cornerstone (2010) T he empowered workforce: crucial to success in the new economy . Ondemand.

Goodall, J., Day, C., Lindsay, G., Muijs, D., & Harris, A. (2005).  Evaluating the impact of continuing professional development (CPD) (No. Reference: RR659). London: Department for Education and Skills.

Stone, D. N., Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2009). Beyond talk: Creating autonomous motivation through self-determination theory. Journal of General Management ,  34 (3), 75.

Zahra, S., Iram, A., & Naeem, H. Employee Training and Its Effect on Employees’ Job Motivation and Commitment: Developing and Proposing a Conceptual Model.

Stuck with your Essay?

Get in touch with one of our experts for instant help!

A Community Program to Fight Child Abuse, Research Paper Example

The Doctor of Nursing Practice, Coursework Example

Time is precious

don’t waste it!

Plagiarism-free guarantee

Privacy guarantee

Secure checkout

Money back guarantee

Related Essay Samples & Examples

Voting as a civic responsibility, essay example.

Pages: 1

Words: 287

Utilitarianism and Its Applications, Essay Example

Words: 356

The Age-Related Changes of the Older Person, Essay Example

Pages: 2

Words: 448

The Problems ESOL Teachers Face, Essay Example

Pages: 8

Words: 2293

Should English Be the Primary Language? Essay Example

Pages: 4

Words: 999

The Term “Social Construction of Reality”, Essay Example

Words: 371

• CRM Asignment Help
• MBA Assignment Help
• Statistics Assignment Help
• Market Analysis Assignment Help
• Business Development Assignment Help
• 4p of Marketing Assignment Help
• Pricing Strategy Assignment Help
• Operations Management Assignment Help
• Corporate Strategy Assignment Help
• Change Management Assignment Help
• Supply Chain Management Assignment Help
• Human Resource Assignment Help
• Management Assignment Help
• Marketing Assignment Help
• Strategy Assignment Help
• Operation Assignment Help
• Marketing Research Assignment Help
• Strategic Marketing Assignment Help
• Project Management Assignment Help
• Strategic Management Assignment Help
• Marketing Management Assignment Help
• Business Assignment Help
• Business Ethics Assignment Help
• Consumer Behavior Assignment Help
• Conflict Management Assignment Help
• Business Statistics Assignment Help
• Managerial Economics Assignment Help
• Project Risk Management Assignment Help
• Nursing Assignment Help
• Clinical Reasoning Cycle
• Nursing Resume Writing
• Medical Assignment Help
• Financial Accounting Assignment Help
• Financial Services Assignment Help
• Finance Planning Assignment Help
• Finance Assignment Help
• Forex Assignment Help
• Behavioral Finance Assignment Help
• Personal Finance Assignment Help
• Capital Budgeting Assignment Help
• Corporate Finance Planning Assignment Help
• Financial Statement Analysis Assignment Help
• Accounting Assignment Help
• Solve My Accounting Paper
• Taxation Assignment Help
• Cost Accounting Assignment Help
• Managerial Accounting Assignment Help
• Business Accounting Assignment Help
• Activity-Based Accounting Assignment Help
• Economics Assignment Help
• Microeconomics Assignment Help
• Econometrics Assignment Help
• IT Management Assignment Help
• Robotics Assignment Help
• Business Intelligence Assignment Help
• Information Technology Assignment Help
• Database Assignment Help
• Data Mining Assignment Help
• Data Structure Assignment Help
• Computer Network Assignment Help
• Operating System Assignment Help
• Data Flow Diagram Assignment Help
• UML Diagram Assignment Help
• Solidworks Assignment Help
• Cookery Assignment Help
• R Studio Assignment Help
• Law Assignment Help
• Law Assignment Sample
• Criminology Assignment Help
• Taxation Law Assignment Help
• Constitutional Law Assignment Help
• Business Law Assignment Help
• Consumer Law Assignment Help
• Employment Law Assignment Help
• Commercial Law Assignment Help
• Criminal Law Assignment Help
• Environmental Law Assignment Help
• Contract Law Assignment Help
• Company Law Assignment Help
• Corp. Governance Law Assignment Help
• Science Assignment Help
• Physics Assignment Help
• Chemistry Assignment Help
• Sports Science Assignment Help
• Chemical Engineering Assignment Help
• Biology Assignment Help
• Bioinformatics Assignment Help
• Biochemistry Assignment Help
• Biotechnology Assignment Help
• Anthropology Assignment Help
• Paleontology Assignment Help
• Engineering Assignment Help
• Autocad Assignment Help
• Mechanical Assignment Help
• Fluid Mechanics Assignment Help
• Civil Engineering Assignment Help
• Electrical Engineering Assignment Help
• Ansys Assignment Help
• Humanities Assignment Help
• Sociology Assignment Help
• Philosophy Assignment Help
• English Assignment Help
• Geography Assignment Help
• History Assignment Help
• Agroecology Assignment Help
• Psychology Assignment Help
• Social Science Assignment Help
• Public Relations Assignment Help
• Political Science Assignment Help
• Mass Communication Assignment Help
• Auditing Assignment Help
• Dissertation Writing Help
• Sociology Dissertation Help
• Marketing Dissertation Help
• Biology Dissertation Help
• Nursing Dissertation Help
• MATLAB Dissertation Help
• Law Dissertation Help
• Geography Dissertation Help
• English Dissertation Help
• Architecture Dissertation Help
• Doctoral Dissertation Help
• Dissertation Statistics Help
• Academic Dissertation Help
• Cheap Dissertation Help
• Dissertation Help Online
• Dissertation Proofreading Services
• Do My Dissertation
• Business Report Writing
• Programming Assignment Help
• Java Programming Assignment Help
• C Programming Assignment Help
• PHP Assignment Help
• Python Assignment Help
• Perl Assignment Help
• SAS Assignment Help
• Web Designing Assignment Help
• Android App Assignment Help
• JavaScript Assignment Help
• Linux Assignment Help
• Mathematics Assignment Help
• Geometry Assignment Help
• Arithmetic Assignment Help
• Trigonometry Assignment Help
• Calculus Assignment Help
• Arts Architecture Assignment Help
• Arts Assignment Help
• Case Study Assignment Help
• History Case Study
• Case Study Writing Services
• Write My Case Study For Me
• Business Law Case Study
• Civil Law Case Study Help
• Marketing Case Study Help
• Nursing Case Study Help
• ZARA Case Study
• Amazon Case Study
• Apple Case Study
• Coursework Assignment Help
• Finance Coursework Help
• Coursework Writing Services
• Marketing Coursework Help
• Maths Coursework Help
• Chemistry Coursework Help
• English Coursework Help
• Do My Coursework
• Custom Coursework Writing Service
• Thesis Writing Help
• Thesis Help Online
• Write my thesis for me
• CDR Writing Services
• CDR Engineers Australia
• CDR Report Writers
• Homework help
• Algebra Homework Help
• Psychology Homework Help
• Statistics Homework Help
• English Homework Help
• CPM homework help
• Do My Homework For Me
• Online Exam Help
• Pay Someone to Do My Homework
• Do My Math Homework
• Macroeconomics Homework Help
• Jiskha Homework Help
• Research Paper Help
• Edit my paper
• Research Paper Writing Service
• Write My Paper For Me
• Buy Term Papers Online
• Buy College Papers
• Paper Writing Services
• Research Proposal Help
• Proofread My Paper
• Report Writing Help
• Story Writing Help
• Grant Writing Help
• DCU Assignment Cover Sheet Help Ireland
• CHCDIV001 Assessment Answers
• BSBWOR203 Assessment Answers
• CHC33015 Assessment Answers
• CHCCCS015 Assessment Answers
• CHCECE018 Assessment Answers
• CHCLEG001 Assessment Answers
• CHCPRP001 Assessment Answers
• CHCPRT001 Assessment Answers
• HLTAAP001 Assessment Answers
• HLTINF001 Assessment Answers
• HLTWHS001 Assessment Answers
• SITXCOM005 Assessment Answers
• SITXFSA001 Assessment Answers
• BSBMED301 Assessment Answers
• BSBWOR502 Assessment Answers
• CHCAGE001 Assessment Answers
• CHCCCS011 Assessment Answers
• CHCCOM003 Assessment Answers
• CHCCOM005 Assessment Answers
• CHCDIV002 Assessment Answers
• CHCECE001 Assessment Answers
• CHCECE017 Assessment Answers
• CHCECE023 Assessment Answers
• CHCPRP003 Assessment Answers
• HLTWHS003 Assessment Answers
• SITXWHS001 Assessment Answers
• BSBCMM401 Assessment Answers
• BSBDIV501 Assessment Answers
• BSBSUS401 Assessment Answers
• BSBWOR501 Assessment Answers
• CHCAGE005 Assessment Answers
• CHCDIS002 Assessment Answers
• CHCECE002 Assessment Answers
• CHCECE007 Assessment Answers
• CHCECE025 Assessment Answers
• CHCECE026 Assessment Answers
• CHCLEG003 Assessment Answers
• HLTAID003 Assessment Answers
• SITXHRM002 Assessment Answers
• Elevator Speech
• Maid Of Honor Speech
• Problem Solutions Speech
• Award Presentation Speech
• Tropicana Speech Topics
• Write My Assignment
• Personal Statement Writing
• Narrative Writing help
• Academic Writing Service
• Resume Writing Services
• Assignment Writing Tips
• Writing Assignment for University
• Custom Assignment Writing Service
• Assignment Provider
• Assignment Assistance
• Solve My Assignment
• Pay For Assignment Help
• Assignment Help Online
• HND Assignment Help
• SPSS Assignment Help
• Buy Assignments Online
• Assignment Paper Help
• Assignment Cover Page
• Urgent Assignment Help
• Perdisco Assignment Help
• Make My Assignment
• College Assignment Help
• Get Assignment Help
• Cheap Assignment Help
• Assignment Help Tutors
• TAFE Assignment Help
• Study Help Online
• Do My Assignment
• Do Assignment For Me
• My Assignment Help
• All Assignment Help
• Academic Assignment Help
• Student Assignment Help
• University Assignment Help
• Instant Assignment Help
• Powerpoint Presentation Service
• Last Minute Assignment Help
• World No 1 Assignment Help Company
• Mentorship Assignment Help
• Legit Essay
• Essay Writing Services
• Essay Outline Help
• Descriptive Essay Help
• History Essay Help
• Research Essay Help
• English Essay Writing
• Literature Essay Help
• Essay Writer for Australia
• Online Custom Essay Help
• Essay Writing Help
• Custom Essay Help
• Essay Help Online
• Writing Essay Papers
• Essay Homework Help
• Professional Essay Writer
• Illustration Essay Help
• Scholarship Essay Help
• Need Help Writing Essay
• Plagiarism Free Essays
• Write My Essay
• Response Essay Writing Help
• Essay Assistance
• Essay Typer
• APA Reference Generator
• Harvard Reference Generator
• Vancouver Reference Generator
• Oscola Referencing Generator
• Deakin Referencing Generator
• Griffith Referencing Tool
• Turabian Citation Generator
• UTS Referencing Generator
• Swinburne Referencing Tool
• AGLC Referencing Generator
• AMA Referencing Generator
• MLA Referencing Generator
• CSE Citation Generator
• ASA Referencing
• Oxford Referencing Generator
• LaTrobe Referencing Tool
• ACS Citation Generator
• APSA Citation Generator
• Central Queensland University
• Holmes Institute
• Monash University
• Torrens University
• Victoria University
• Federation University
• Griffith University
• Deakin University
• Murdoch University
• The University of Sydney
• The London College
• Ulster University
• University of derby
• University of West London
• Bath Spa University
• University of Warwick
• Newcastle University
• Anglia Ruskin University
• University of Northampton
• The University of Manchester
• University of Michigan
• University of Chicago
• University of Pennsylvania
• Cornell University
• Georgia Institute of Technology
• National University
• University of Florida
• University of Minnesota
• Help University
• INTI International University
• Universiti Sains Malaysia
• Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
• University of Malaya
• ERC Institute
• Nanyang Technological University
• Singapore Institute of Management
• Singapore Institute of Technology
• United Kingdom
• Jobs near Deakin University
• Jobs Near CQUniversity
• Jobs Near La Trobe University
• Jobs Near Monash University
• Jobs Near Torrens University
• Jobs Near Cornell University
• Jobs Near National University
• Jobs Near University of Chicago
• Jobs Near University of Florida
• Jobs Near University of Michigan
• Jobs Near Bath Spa University
• Jobs Near Coventry University
• Jobs Near Newcastle University
• Jobs Near University of Bolton
• Jobs Near university of derby
• Search Assignments
• Connect Seniors
• Essay Rewriter
• Knowledge Series
• Conclusion Generator
• GPA Calculator
• Factoring Calculator
• Plagiarism Checker
• Word Page Counter
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Living Calculator
• Quadratic Equation
• Algebra Calculator
• Integral Calculator
• Chemical Balancer
• Equation Solver
• Fraction Calculator
• Slope Calculator
• Fisher Equation
• Summary Generator
• Essay Topic Generator
• Alphabetizer
• Case Converter
• Antiderivative Calculator
• Kinematics Calculator
• Truth Table Generator
• Financial Calculator
• Reflection calculator
• Projectile Motion Calculator
• Paper Checker
• Inverse Function Calculator

Professional Development Essay: Critical Reflection On Skills And Knowledge

Task: The purpose of the reflective essay is to develop a clear and inspiring vision of what you want to achieve in your career. In the essay student need to succinctly review the literature, particularly focusing on skills important to the development of their career/profession and how it will make a positive difference in his/her career/profession along with a role of a professional manage. Students are expected to critique the literature and to adheres to the word limit. Essay should also contain reference list written in Harvard style. Given below are some guidelines that are useful for writing the assignment.

Section 1: Understanding and Analysis . Describe what is the meaning of professional development and why it is important. How you can relate the idea of professional development with your career vision. What is your career mission statement?

Section 2:  Literature Review. Review the important of skills on career development and discuss why you believe your selected skills are important for today’s managers? You should be referring to wider source of reference, preferably peer reviewed journals and conference proceedings.

Section 3:  Skill Identification and Critical analysis . This section should present critical analysis of skills that are important for your desired professional position. You should also need to refer to the recent job advertisement (as an evidence this should be attached as an Appendix in your report) of a professional position of your interest and present critical analysis of skill gap (of what you possess and what is required). To support your analysis, you may refer to wider credible sources to link skills to the advertised position.

Introduction The present professional development essay revolves around the concept of personal development that is an important aspect of life as it assists in reflecting upon the skills and attributes that fare required for professional growth. In this professional development essay, I will illustrate the necessity and importance of professional development and the way it has helped me in analyzing my skills and knowledge. The skills that are required for my professional development will be explored in a detailed manner and the way I am planning to make use of professional development in order to improvise my skill will be discussed in a detailed manner. The importance of skill for career development will also be highlighted.

Discussion Professional development is the method of maintaining significant professional credentials such as formal coursework’s, academic degrees; informal learning that can be situated into practice, attending conferences and more (Rubens et al., 2018). It is a way with the help of which skill and knowledge are enhanced so that professionally an individual can increase their own performance. The five principles of professional development explored in this professional development essay states that firstly professional development should have a significant duration and must be ongoing so that individual is able to learn new strategies for problems, secondly the individual should have appropriate support and guidance during the implementation stage that will help in changing practices, thirdly individual should collaborate with a community that are implementing similar changes. fourth stage suggests that online mediums can be adopted that can help in enhancing professional development, lastly the five core features of professional development best practice should be kept in mid such as coherence with standards and policies, integrated contents and pedagogy, active learning opportunity, mentoring and individual learning.

There are various approaches discussed in the context of this professional development essay that can contribute towards professional development such as coaching, consultations, communities of practice, mentoring, lesson study, technical assistance and reflective supervision. It is analyzed that continuous professional development is essential and important because it helps us in ensuring we continue to be increasingly competent in our professional field (Pucciarelli and Kaplan, 2018). It is considered as a continuous and on-going process throughout our professional career. Through professional development, we are able to encourage ourselves to learn new skills and gain new knowledge which helps us in overcoming new challenges at the workplace and makes us more efficient and competent at the workplace. It is evident that with increased globalization the competition among employees is also increasing and in order to capture and gain lucrative opportunities, it is essential to possess all the vital knowledge and skills. A career mission statement helps in providing a clear purpose for future developments. Professional development can be associated with a career vision statement as any mission statement has been created with the aim of improving performance (Campbell, 2017). In order to improve any performance or support employees, the study developed in this professional development essay illustrates that it is essential that the individual himself should possess adequate skill and knowledge which can be developed with the help of professional development. Therefore professional development helps in improving competencies that in turn help in focusing on the career mission statement and allows us to achieve our visions and goals in a positive manner. My career mission statement is “to support and inspire individuals in order to enhance their capabilities and improvise their skills and become more competent and active”. As it can be observed that my mission is to inspire and help other individuals to enhance their skill it is necessary that in order to achieve this mission statement I must possess all the vital skills and knowledge so that I am able to help and support others. Professional development will help me in continuously learning new skills and improving my skills and knowledge along with the present changes and trends and therefore I will be able to achieve my mission statement.

According to Cottrell (2017), it can be analysed in this segment of professional development essay that skill development is the method that assists in recognising our skill gaps and helps us in developing the lacking skill set. Skill development is necessary because our skills help in determining our ability to execute a task or a plan in a successful manner. It is significant to develop necessary and required skill set for a successful career. It is evident that skills such as communication, leadership, teamwork, time management and more are necessary in order to improve the performance of an individual (Ritter et al., 2018). Skills are an important part of an individual as it helps in analysing and understanding the capabilities and competencies of an individual and based on that they are approaches for professional opportunities. For instance, if a job opening for a marketing manager is available then all the candidates applying for the position will not get the job. Only the candidate that has all the necessary skills that a marketing manager should possess will get the job as other candidates that do not possess the skills will not be able to carry out the tasks and duties of a marketing manager. Therefore this example helps in understanding that skills are necessary as it categorises individuals as per their capabilities and competencies and therefore, in order to become successful in a professional career one must possess all the skills as well as knowledge. The professional development essay examines the readings of Prajapati et al. (2017) that skills are vital as they help in enhancing thinking abilities and helps in improving problem-solving. It helps us in understanding the impact of our activities and allows us to take up responsibilities in a confident manner as we are sure that we will be able to perform the actions as well possess the skills. Skills are considered vital for confidence development and confidence is vital to gain an increased and successful career opportunity (Jackson, 2015). Skills are categorized under two basic categories such as soft skills which deal with people’s skill, communication skill, social skill, personality attitude and trade. On the other hand, hard skills are measurable or teachable abilities such as reading, writing and more.

Managers are a significant part of an organisation as they have a primary responsibility of ensuring that all the goals and objectives of the organisation are well met so that the performance of the firm increases in the market. As per the investigation on professional development essay, it is noted that in order to become a successful manager, there are a number of skills that must be possessed by an individual so that they are able to manage an entire workforce and guide them in their duties. I would like to address my perception in this professional development essay that a manager should possess planning skills, communication, and decision-making skills, problem-solving skills, and motivating skills. As per Divleli and Ergun (2015), planning is one of the most essential duties of a manager they are responsible to allocate duties to the employees based on their skills and knowledge so that the tasks are completed successfully and the organisation is able to meet its goals. Managers are required to interact and communicate with employees, make them understand their duties, guide them with their tasks and help them in their problems. Therefore having excellent communication is one of the most important skills to be a successful manager. In addition, it is observed that as the business environment changes many times managers are required to make a decision that will benefit the business and assist in its growth. In order to make a beneficial and reasonable decision that decision making the skill of the manager should be appropriate. A business encounters many challenges and problems while operating in the competitive market active problem-solving skills help in finding creative and innovative solutions for problems, therefore managers are required to have excellent problem-solving skills. As stated by Kiruja and Mukuru (2018), it is also noted in this professional development essay that managers should possess, motivating skills, employees in business may feel low due to increased competition or work pressure, therefore, it is the responsibility of the managers to motivate and encourage the employees to remain positive and active towards their duties so that enhanced outcomes can be gained.

I aspire to become a business development manager at Hardygroup and in order to gain this position; there are certain skills that must be possessed by me. Some of the most significant skill required for this position includes communication skills, good business knowledge, negotiation skills, organisational skills and creativity. As per my self-reflection, I can analyse that my soft skills such as communication skill is excellent and I am confident at speaking with my colleagues and friends. In addition, I am quite creative as I participate in most of the problem-solving activities and try to work on my creative knowledge. I am always trying to think of unique and innovative ideas so I am able to enhance my creativity. However, some of the my soft skills such as negotiation skills, and other hard skills such as business knowledge and organisational skills are quite inappropriate and therefore, lack of these significant skills will reduce my chances of capturing the job opportunity and therefore I am planning to work on improving these skills. I need to improve my lacking skills so that I am suitable for the position.

In order to improve my negotiation skill, I will take up a class in which I can work and learn about negotiation, the activities of the class will help me in practising negotiation ad will improve my knowledge in this area. I will also keep practising this at home and with peers so that I can improve this skill as it is necessary. In order to work on my business knowledge, I will enrol in a business course which will allow me to gain an understanding and also expose me to the business world. The course will also allow me to understand the challenge in difficulties that are experienced by a business I will be able to understand the working environment and it will benefit me in my career development. Business knowledge is a vital skill and joining courses to improve my skill is essential. Lastly, I will have to increase my organisational skills and therefore in order to do that I will take up an internship in a good repute organisation so that I am able to gain practical knowledge regarding the ways a business operates. I will be able to experience the challenges and learn from the situation. Internship helps in gaining knowledge and also improves our skills, we are able to understand work pressure and the way we need to behave and the attitudes that help us in a workplace.

Conclusion In this professional development essay, we can conclude that professionally develops is important as it allows us to work on our skill and professional knowledge so that we are capable and competent. I analysed that significance and importance of skill development and the way skills help in gaining attractive career opportunities. Skills are significant as they help in understanding the capabilities of an individual and based on its job and employment offers are provided. I have discussed the skills of a manager and the ways these skill sets are used by a manager in order to carry out their roles in a business. In addition, I have conducted a self-analysis regarding the skills that are lacking in me as compared to skills that are required for the job I desire to achieve. In the above professional development essay, I have also discussed the ways I am planning to work and improve my skills in order to be appropriate for the job position and gain the opportunity.

Reference List Campbell, C., 2017. Professional development essay Developing Teachers' Professional Learning: Canadian Evidence and Experiences in a World of Educational Improvement. Canadian Journal of Education, 40(2), p.n2.

Cottrell, S., 2017. Critical thinking skills: Effective analysis, argument and reflection. Macmillan International Higher Education.

Divleli, M.S. and Ergun, E., 2015. MANAGER EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY: THE EFFECT OF SKILLS ON DIFFERENT LEVEL MANAGEMENT. International Journal of Management & Human Resources, 3(1).

Jackson, D., 2015. Employability skill development in work-integrated learning: Barriers and best practice. Studies in Higher Education, 40(2), pp.350-367.

Kiruja, E.K. and Mukuru, E., 2018. Professional development essay Effect of motivation on employee performance in public middle level Technical Training Institutions in Kenya. IJAME.

Prajapati, R.K., Sharma, B. and Sharma, D., 2017. Significance of Life Skills Education. Contemporary Issues in Education Research, 10(1), pp.1-6.

Pucciarelli, F. and Kaplan, A., 2016. Competition and strategy in higher education: Managing complexity and uncertainty. Business Horizons, 59(3), pp.311-320.

Ritter, B.A., Small, E.E., Mortimer, J.W. and Doll, J.L., 2018. Designing management curriculum for workplace readiness: Developing students’ soft skills. Journal of Management Education, 42(1), pp.80-103.

Rubens, A., Schoenfeld, G.A., Schaffer, B.S. and Leah, J.S., 2018. Self-awareness and leadership: Developing an individual strategic professional development plan in an MBA leadership course. Professional development essay The International Journal of Management Education, 16(1), pp.1-13.

CHECK THE PRICE FOR YOUR PROJECT

Number of pages/words you require, choose your assignment deadline, related samples.

• Career Development Plan: Achieving Success in Fund Accounting
• Career development plan: Advancing in Organisational Development and People Management
• Reflecting on Leamnson’s Learning Principles: My First Job Experience
• "The True Cost: Analyzing the Environmental and Social Impact of the Fashion Industry"
• Enhancing Talent Management Strategies in the Fashion Industry: Glamoré’s Approach
• Transformational Leadership assignment in Retail: Inspiring Success Through Support and Recognition
• Group Project Proposal: Optimizing Online and E-commerce Presence
• Comprehensive Kodak Organizational Analysis
• Deciphering Marketing Plan strategy Components and Strategic Frameworks: A Comprehensive Evaluation
• Balancing Heritage Preservation and Financial Gain: Real Estate Bullard Houses Negotiation strategy
• GreenClean Solutions: Revolutionizing the Commercial Cleaning Industry with Sustainable Innovations
• Generative AI in Management: Challenges and Opportunities
• Enhancing Leadership and Management Strategies at Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel
• Herbal Tea Enlightenment: A Comprehensive Digital Campaign Proposal for Twinnings Tea
• Navigating Professional Growth: A Reflection on Co-operative Education Experience at Post Haste
• Adapting Strategies: Navigating the Impact of Macro-Environment Factors on Kroger's Marketing Approach
• Harmony in the Park: A Sustainable Outdoor Music Event Marketing Plan
• Unveiling Marketing Strategies: A Personal Evaluation of Samsung S22 Purchase
• Journey through Entrepreneurial Leadership: A Reflection and Case Study Analysis
• Navigating Ethical Challenges: A Case Study on Wells Fargo's Sales Culture
• Unlocking the Power of Employee Motivation in Effective Management
• Impact of effective leadership strategies on the business performance of UK retail firms- A Case of Tesco
• Analysing the operational aspects for a new resort
• Analysing leadership approaches within a project environment

Looking for Your Assignment?

FREE PARAPHRASING TOOL

FREE PLAGIARISM CHECKER

FREE ESSAY TYPER TOOL

Other assignment services.

• SCM Assignment Help
• HRM Assignment Help
• Dissertation Assignment Help
• Marketing Analysis Assignment Help
• Corporate Finance Assignment Help

FREE WORD COUNT AND PAGE CALCULATOR

QUESTION BANK

ESCALATION EMAIL

To get answer.

Please Fill the following Details

Thank you !

We have sent you an email with the required document.

Home / Essay Samples / Life / Experience / Personal Growth and Development

Personal Growth and Development Essay Examples

Finding your true self - is the biggest life solution.

Everyone has that one experience that makes them look at life with a new set of eyes. Some changing us for the better, others for the worse. Both ways happen for a reason, to help prepare you for the future. Good and bad experiences can...

Authenticity Might Be the Key Ingredient in Finding Yourself

Finding yourself requires to leave what is holding you back. Leaving a corporate job to an entrepreneurship path can be exciting and alarming at the same time. The journey isn't an easy one as it comes with lots of bumps on the way. Embracing who...

Personal Purpose to Participate in Graduate Assistantship

I have always been intrigued by the corporate world—the elegant dress code, diligent workers and professional working environment—so I did not hesitate at any opportunity to develop skills relevant to this world. I have always been intrigued by the corporate world—the elegant dress code, diligent...

Building Character Through Sports: Lessons for Life

Everyone has most likely seen that one tv show or movie about that one boy who was no good and did bad things, until the day he picked up either a football or basketball that he changed for the better? Not only is that the...

The Depiction of My American Dream

The American dream is about having the opportunity for success. The American dream is also about freedom and living the life you want to live. This is my American dream, essay examples, where I will share personal dreams. So my American Dream is to have...

Determining What I Gained from the Internship Program

This paper presents a deep analysis of personal internship experience. One more aim is in the name of the “What do you hope to gain from this internship?” essay. Now I want to start with duties and responsibilities of this internship program. My internship was...

Perseverance - a Key Element for Personal Changes

Learning the struggles of being an 18-year-old female of color in this world can be several reasons. Having a favorite song artist, a favorite food, someone that this girl admires, and a goal in life simply doesn’t isn’t always enough for one to become successful....

What Are Skills: Understanding the Essential Abilities Success

Skills are abilities or competencies that individuals possess and have developed through practice, training, or experience. These abilities may be cognitive, physical, technical, or social in nature, and can range from simple tasks such as tying shoelaces to complex skills such as programming a computer...

Talent: Management and Theoretical Foundation

To start with, this is talent essay in which this topic is discussed. Workforces around the world have become larger, increasingly diverse, highly educated and more mobile. The ability to attract, develop and retain a steady supply of critical talent is a challenge facing all...

Developing the Leader: the Importance of Managerial Self-awareness

The meaning of self-development and self-awareness is widespread. Relatively recently, the notion of personal development refers to anything that is, or maybe, undertaken by each of us, either voluntarily or via various techniques to live better, to improve in different areas of life, to achieve...

Trying to find an excellent essay sample but no results?

Don’t waste your time and get a professional writer to help!

You may also like

• Thankfulness
• Healthy Lifestyle
• Writing Experience
• Family Planning
• Ignorance Essays
• Volunteering Essays
• Personal Experience Essays
• Success Essays
• Why is College Important Essays
• Childhood Memories Essays
• Mistake Essays
• Growing Up Essays
• Happy Story Essays
• Driving Essays

samplius.com uses cookies to offer you the best service possible.By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .--> -->