Professional Development Plan

It might sound odd, but one of the most intimidating assignments I’ve been given as part of my master’s program with CSU has been to write a professional development plan. I started the AET program because I wanted to improve my skill as an educator, but I didn’t think beyond my immediate skill set and my current job. One of the struggles I’ve had with writing a plan is that, overall, I’m very passionate about my company, what we do, and how I contribute. That said, however, writing a professional development plan has given me areas to focus on so that I can continue my growth as an educator, a productive employee, and a focused individual.

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This plan breaks my goals down into three major categories: professional development as it relates to my current and any future jobs, continuing education to ensure that learning doesn’t stop, and personal goals that are large enough that I don’t want to lose track of them.

The professional and career development section includes tasks that are relevant to my current position, including researching a potential change in my job title. I would also like to learn e-Learning technologies, since my company is heavily invested in delivering learning in that way, and that will also give me a direction for continuing education. I also plan to join a professional organization so that I can expand my professional network and keep up to date on new trends in the industry.

In my continuing education section, I have included additional topics that will direct my personal goal to continue learning. I hope to be able to expand my knowledge in cognitive theory and the neuroscience of education, which has been a personal interest of mine for some time. I’ve also included keeping my portfolio updated as part of this goal, so that I keep a record of my learning for both personal and professional pursuits.

The final section includes a short outline for a potential cross-country move that my husband and I have been considering for the past couple of years. Adding these to a formal development plan will ensure that I keep myself on track, and it gives me a place to gather and consider all of the various complicated tasks that go along with such an involved move.

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Adding this plan to my portfolio will give me yet another way to gauge my progress and make sure that I keep myself on track.