Background and purpose

PDP and Working in the Media

Why bother?
How to start
1997 Dearing Report
HE Institutions must develop the means by
which students can monitor, build and
reflect upon their personal development.

What is Personal Development Planning?
Dearings PDP Definition:
a structured and supported process undertaken
by an individual to reflect upon their own
learning and/or achievement and to plan for
their personal education and career
development
PDP helps individuals understand how
their HE and non-HE activities will help
them achieve their long term career
goals.
PDP will help you take control of your
situation (learning and other activities)
with a view to achieving your goals.

The world of work is in continual
change: individuals will increasingly
need to develop new capabilities and to
manage their own development and
learning throughout life.

PDP is a lifelong processbut it begins
here.
In summary, it helps people:
Learn about themselves
Reflect on what they are doing
Value themselves and their
achievements
Identify ways of improving themselves
What have I learnt or done?
retrospective reflection
What do I need to learn or do to improve
myself?
reflection on current situation
How do I do it?
review of opportunities and identification of
personal goals or objectives
How will I know Ive done it?
strategy for setting targets and reviewing
progress



REFLECTING
PLANNING
DOING
REVIEWING
Reflect upon your current situation and
skillset
Highlight areas for improvement
Set goals, targets and deadlines
Action on goals
Report and review your achieved goals
Reflect on the process and new skillset
Plan new goals



The PDP Portfolio + Assignment 3
1. Career Goals
2. Skills evaluation and reflection
3. Planning your goals
4. Action
5. Record, review, reflect
+ CV


Career Goals
What are your career ambitions?
What do you know about the industry and
role you want to work in?
How do graduates typically break into that
industry / job role?


Skills evaluation and reflection
Skills audit: list and evidence your relevant
skills
Compare these to the needs of your chosen
industry
Where are the gaps?
Where can you improve?




Planning Your Goals
Set realistic goals, targets and deadlines
(signed off by seminar leader)
Industry engagement
Action
Take steps to achieve your goals and targets
in terms 1 and 2
Progress reviews in seminar time
Record, Review, Reflect
Keep a log of goals achieved in your
portfolio
Provide evidence where possible
Review and reflect upon the process
A new set of goals
PDP gets you to think about exactly what
you are learning from all the things you
do:
academic work,
part-time jobs,
voluntary work,
work experience or placements,
SU responsibilities,
leisure activities,
personal and family responsibilities.
You will become more self-aware.
You will begin to realise just how
many skills and qualities you are
developing
You will recognise situations in which
you lack confidence or the right skills
Self-analysis will inform your thinking
about your future career you will have
a clearer idea of where your strengths lie
and which skills you enjoy using, which
will help you to identify career areas
which may suit you.
The skills audit may reveal gaps in your
skills profile which it would be sensible to
address before you have to apply for a
job.

You will enhance your employability.
A clearer understanding of your skills and strengths
will enable you to market yourself effectively to
employers in a competitive labour market.
Employer engagement

The strongest single message which we received
from employers was the value of work experience.
This is particularly emphasised by small and medium
sized enterprises who need new employees to be
able to operate effectively in the workplace from
their first day.
Dearing Report, 1997

The governments new HEAR scheme
(they will) provide a more rounded
picture of their college life, including
sporting, volunteering, employment and
student union successes. It will be easier
for employers to verify jobseekers'
credentials.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/201
2/oct/03/university-record-scheme-
degree-classifications?INTCMP=SRCH

Many graduate employers now expect
their employees to be involved in
Continuous Professional Development
(CPD).
Career research + skills audit
(week 2 seminar)
Planning goals
(week 3 seminar)



Building on your skills and employability
Within curriculum
Leading a group
Taking a role which will help your career
Outside curriculum
Work Experience
University opportunities
Volunteering
Employer engagement

Building on your skills and employability
Within curriculum
Leading a group
Taking a role which will help your career
Outside curriculum
Work Experience
University opportunities
Volunteering
Employer engagement
Your goals must be designed to improve
your employability!

Seminars will be used to:
Help you plan your portfolio sections
Initiate reflection and evaluation
Share PDP news, best practice,
opportunities
CV writing

1. Skills for Success: The Personal
Development Planning Handbook
Stella Cottrell, 2010

2. Personal Development Planning
www.heacademy.ac.uk/resources/detail/pdp
/pdp