Every profession requires constant evaluation, allows for the creation of a personal development plan. Personal development plans allow for self-analysis, as well as an appraisal of personal weaknesses and strength; therefore allowing an individual to assess their skills and training to determine areas he or she may need to develop in the future. Different professionals employ various assessment to determine areas that may need development. As a social worker, I chose to use a Strength Based Leadership (SBL) assessment tool, which mainly focuses on identifying an individual’s leadership strength (Rath, 2012). Completion of the SBL assessment revealed several strengths, as well as areas that may require improvements. This assessment provides a description of a personal development plan that explains steps and actions I intend to take to achieve both my short-term and long-term professional goals.
Professional Vision and Goal
Development of a personal development plan involves the identification of both short-term and long-term goals. In the next 1-3 years, I intend to build and develop a professional network with other social workers. I also intend to work as a volunteer; therefore, hands-on learning on social work issues. I also plan to identify a mentor, to help guide me through my first years in social work. My intermediate goals explore what I plan to do within the next three to five years. In the next five years, I intend to specialize in issues of substance abuse. Within a period of five years, I plan to continue with my learning process; therefore, allowing continuous professional development. I also plan to have achieved promotions at my place of work. I intend to work in a leadership position, possibly a supervisor, or a director of a social work program. My long-term goals involve opening a private practice. Opening a private practice will require me to attain a minimum of a Master’s degree, which is part of my short-term goals.
Actions for Development
My short-term goals aim at ensuring that I establish myself in the social work industry. Meeting such a goal will involve me working in different as a volunteer as well as networking with other individuals. I plan to volunteer for 100 hours, in different social work programs. Volunteering will allow me to gain experience on social work issues, as well as further, develop my responsibility domain. Working as a volunteer will allow me to develop trust as well as learn how to appreciate other individuals. Working as a volunteer will also help improve my adaptability, which is one of my strengths. The different environments where I am likely to work as a volunteer will allow me to learn how to adapt easily to change, which is common in the social work industry.
Establishing myself in the social work profession will also involve creating networks with different professionals. In the next three years, I plan to attend several conferences and seminars to ensure I meet both novice and experienced social workers. Attending conferences with other professionals will also help build my relationship skills, which are also a strength. The SBL assessment identified being a relator as a major strength that I possess. Meeting and networking with different professionals will allow me to build up my courage, especially when sharing ideas. Networking will also allow me meet fellow like-minded individuals as well as choose a mentor, whom we share the same view on different issues.
My intermediate plans involve developing a professional presence in a specific field. Meeting this goal will involve furthering my education as well as specializing in an individual field. Within the next five years, I plan to specialize in issues of substance abuse. Specializing on substance abuse issues will involve me enrolling in a two-year master’s program. Furthering my education will also allow me to meet other professionals; therefore, continue to improve my network base as well as develop my relationship skills.
Within a period of the next five years, I also intend to have achieved promotion to a leadership position, at either my workplace or the different areas that I volunteer. Working as a leader will help further develop my leadership skills, as it will promote the development of several of my strengths. As a leader, I will relate with a diverse group of people; therefore, further development of my relationship skills as being a relator is one of my strength. Working as a leader will also help me further develop my teamwork skills. Working as a leader will help develop another leadership strength, which is that of a developer. Working as a leader will allow me to interact with people who have different issues. Such interactions may result in the creation of solutions to different problems; therefore developing my developer strength.
Challenges in the Profession
Although the social work professional is mainly female dominated, I face several challenges though I am a woman. As a young female social worker, some of the challenges I may include being at risk, especially when working with young gang members. Specializing in substance abuse will involve me working with many young people, who are gang members. Countering such challenges will involve dressing more appropriately when meeting clients, as well as establishing clear professional guidelines. Some of the strengths that may help counter these challenges are responsibility and adaptability. Another challenge that I am likely to face is that of oppression. As a young female social worker, issues of bullying may occur on several occasions. I, however, plan to take up an optimistic attitude; therefore, deal with the oppression challenge. Leadership strengths that may assist me to deal with oppression may include relating and adaptability.
Reference
Rath, T., & Conchie, B. (2008). Strengths based leadership. New York, NY: Gallup Press.
