PPGP SUMMARY
Part one
Identification of strengths and challenges
This is the first step in any personal or professional growth as it helps one to know what they are able to achieve and the limitations that they do have that they need to overcome so as achieve the goals that they intend to set (Smith and Knapp, 2011). Knowledge of the strengths is also important as it makes one to be able to know the aspects to capitalize on as these form the key competencies of a person. In order to identify the strengths and weaknesses of an individual, one can carry out what is referred to as a personal SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis.
Statement of personal and professional mission
Mission refers to the long term outcome that a person hopes to get or an institution to achieve by going through a process (Watkins et al, 2011). A mission can also be described as the collectivity of all the means that are aimed at attaining a given vision. There is a close connection between mission and strategy. My main aim is to develop my skills, knowledge and integrate them in the education and help me to solve day to day challenges.
Setting of goals
These refers to the envisioned end results of activities that a person participates in (Cornelius-White et al, 2013).Those that are to be met over a longer time period are referred to as long term goals while those that are to be met within a short time period are referred to as short term goals (Davies et al,2010 ). As a matter f fact, short term goals are attained more easily than the long term goals since the long term goals call for patience, consistency and discipline. However, it is worth pointing out that the long term goals are a result of summing up many short term goals. My long term goal is to graduate from college, venture into the job market and even start a business. The short term goals include passing the exams, attaining desired grades and so on.
Part two
Interdisciplinary studies experience involves combining knowledge from different fields in such as history, literature and science (Klein, 2009).Interdisciplinary studies has changed me by showing me how the various traditional disciplines are interrelated and has shown me how I will apply the knowledge from the different disciplines to enrich the experiences of the students. My thinking has improved because interdisciplinary studies provide knowledge from different fields of study (Scanlon, 2011).Interdisplinary studies improves one’s thinking by broadening ones knowledge on a vast range of field (Repko, 2012).This has greatly improved my thinking by making it possible for me to interlink the different concepts and hence communicate better due to the knowledge from the different fields. As a leader it has given me more confidence as I have gained skills for leadership such as critical analysis of situations, research among others. Writing my PPGP has changed my perception the future by making me more focused on being purposeful in all that I undertake looking at issues from a broader perspective. The skills that I have gained include being purposeful in whatever I set out to do by having clear mission and goals. The study of interdisciplinary studies will be very useful to me in future as it will give me better skills to tackle societal problems in a more holistic approach and hence come up with more workable solutions hence be of great help to the society
References
Cornelius-White, J. H., Motschnig-Pitrik, R., & Lux, M. (2013). Interdisciplinary handbook ofthe person-centered approach: Research and theory. New York: Springer.
Davies, W. M., Devlin, M., & Tight, M. (2010). Interdisciplinary higher education: Perspectives and practicalities. Bingley: Emerald.
Klein, T. J. (2009). Creating interdisciplinary campus cultures: A model for strength andsustainability. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Mocombe, P., & Tomlin, C. (2010). The oppositional culture theory. Lanham: University Press of America.
Repko, A. (2012). Interdisciplinary research: Process and theory. (2nd Ed.). California: Sage Publications Smith, T. E., & Knapp, C. (2011). Sourcebook of experiential education: Key thinkers and their contributions. New York: Routledge.
Scanlon, L. (2011). "Becoming" a professional: An interdisciplinary analysis of professional learning. Dordrecht: Springer
Watkins, J. M., Mohr, B. J., & Kelly, R. (2011). Appreciative inquiry: Change at the speed of imagination. San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer.
