1. C3300937
1 | P a g e
Continued Professional Development
Eportfolio
Introduction:
ThisEportfolio will aimtoreflectuponmy;personal,careerandacademicdevelopmentduringmy
thirdyear at university.Whilstevaluatingmydevelopment,throughthe use of numerousdiagnostic
activitiesandvariousothersourcesof evidence,anactionplanwill be developedtoaidcontinual
developmentof the lifelonglearningprocess.The LifelongLearningProgram(2010) defineslifelong
learningas‘the developmentof human potential throughacontinuouslysupportiveprocesswhich
stimulatesandempowersindividuals toacquire all the knowledge,valuesandskillstheywill require
throughouttheirlifetimes’. ThisisacknowledgedbyHoney(2007) that personal development
throughlifelonglearningisareflective processwhichenablesanindividual toplantheircontinual
professionaldevelopment(CPD). Therefore,itnotonlyenhancessocialinclusion,active citizenship
and personal development,butalsocompetitivenessandemployability(Commissionof the
EuropeanCommunities,2006; Kumar,2007).
Developmentof personal,academicandcareerskillsare all importantaspectsof CPD.Thiswork
however,will prioritiescareerandacademicworkoverpersonal developmentthroughoutmythird
yeardue to the large amountof academicwork anddifficultiesmanystudentsare facingwhen
lookingtogainemployment(see The Telegraph,2013).The national occupationstandardonskills
active (2010) offershelpinmanagingskillsinthe sportandleisure industries.
Where am I (Beginning of year 3):
In orderto evaluate mydevelopmentthroughmyfinal yearof studyitisfirstlyimportantto
establishmycurrentpositionanapproachidentifiedwithinHawkins(1999) tactic one. Throughthe
use of variousself-auditsIcan analyse mycurrentpositionintermsof mycareer,academicand
personal skills,these include:
Appendix1 - BBC Big personalitytest(BBC 2011)
Appendix2 – Personalityworkbook 1
Appendix3 – Graduate skillsworkbook 2
Appendix4 – Reflective writingisevidence ofreflective thinking
Appendix5- Honeyand MumfordLearning Styles(Honeyand Mumford1992)
Appendix6- Assessingyourskillsworkbook 3
Appendix7 - VARK test results(VARK 2011)

2. C3300937
2 | P a g e
Summaryof myCurrentSkills:
Althoughitisevident fromthe self-auditsthatIhave a numberof keyskillsinrelationtothe three
areas I wasalsoable to identifypossible areasof development:
My AimsandObjectives:
Afterassessingmycurrentskill positionagainstcareer,academicandpersonal requirements,it’s
thenimportanttoanalyse the directionIwantto go downinorder to be the most successful
(Cottrell,2003).I have purposefullyselectedgoalsthatare not onlyweaknessesbutalsomy
strengthsastheywill be whatstandout to employees(Corfield,2009).
The goals for year 3

3. C3300937
3 | P a g e
The goals I have setare as followsandwhenrelevanttheseare relatedNational Occupational
Standards(NOS) (appendix8).
Career:Aimtodevelopanumberof keycareerskillswhichwill enableme totargetspecificjobs
that I wantin Leeds.
Objective 1: Ensure that I enhance my C.V through the use of the university careers
office.
Objective 2: Establish a number of contacts within the Estate agent sector as a result
of my research and application of jobs–NOS A311.
Objective 3: Gain relevant work experience in the area of work that I want to go into
It was apparentfromthe Employability fair(Appendix9) thatI attended thatthere are a numberof
keystepswhengraduatesare lookingtogainemployment.Withinthisliterature a highqualityC.V
and a vast range of contactswitha chosenare importantif a graduate is to secure a jobthat is
relevanttotheirstudies,whichwill helpme whenlookingtogaincareeremployment.
Academic: Aimtoachieve a 2:1 classificationfrommy degree once Ifinishuniversity
Objective 1: To develop as a researcher by writing critically
Objective 2: Become more confident in my ability to present as an individual by the
time I finish university –NOS D210
In orderto justifythe selectionof these objectives,itisimportanttoacknowledgethe importance of
critical analysiswhenlookingtoachieve a2:1 classification. As3rd
year have numerouspresentations
withthe additionof individual presentations,Iacknowledge thereisaneedtoimprove thisskill in
orderto get the bestgrade possible.
Personal:Developmyproactivityskillswhichwillhelpincareer,academicandpersonal areas.
Objective 1: Be more proactive in my goals in order to make them happen
I have onlydecidedtodoone personal goal,asat thismomentintime myprioritiesare careerand
academicgoals.Thispersonal goal hasbeenchosenasit will alsoaidme inthe academicand career
sectors.

4. C3300937
4 | P a g e
Achievement of Goals:
Career:
My overall aimwithinmycareerdevelopmentwastogaina numberof transferable skillsthatwould
enhance mycareerdevelopmentandallow me touse themina specificjob.
Objective 1: Ensure that I enhance my C.V through the use of the university careers
office.
C.V’sare the firstimpressionpotential employerswill getof youasa possible candidate when
lookingtogainemployment (Bright&Earl,2008; McGee, 1997). It is acknowledgedby Brownetal
(2000) that the rationof graduatesto aspirationjobsis29 to 1 highlightingthe needforagoodCV.
Jenner(2000) suggeststhatgraduate recruitersonaverage receive 68 applicantsforeachposition
but only1 in 10 applicantswill getaninterview;these are usuallythe applicantswiththe bestC.V’s.
Afterlookingatthe literature aroundC.V’sIrecognisedthatmyinitial CV wasverybasicandcould
be improved.
The firstissue I addressedwhenlookingtoimprove uponmyC.V wasthe structure.In orderto
developmyC.V,Iarrangeda meetingtoseekfeedbackon mycurrentC.V withone of the
universitiescareersofficerwhogave me a numberof ideasonhow to developmyC.V:
Appendix10- Feedbackfrom careers office
Duringthe employabilityfairthere wasnumeroussessionsrunningoverthe twoweekswhichI
attendedaCV sessioncalledhowtomarketyourselfeffectively.
Appendix9- EmployabilityFair
(Mcbride,2007) suggeststhat addedqualificationsandextra-curricularactivitieswithinaC.V are
alsovital inorder tostand out.Sports andteam gamesare also seenasaddedvalue toa CV (Bright,
2011) I therefore undertookanumberof programmestoenhance thisareaof my C.V Including:
Playedlacrosse 1st
teamin the mostsuccessful seasontheyhave had &part time estate agentwork
Finallyfromthe CPDworkshopsessionthatIattendedaround‘SellingYourself’the elementthat
stoodout the most wastailoringyouC.V tothe specificjobthatyouare applyingfor.Inspecific
relationtoHawkins(1999) tactic 4 arounda clientbasedapproachtosellingmyself Inow ensure
that my C.V isnowtailoredspeciallytothe jobI am applyingfor.
Comparisonof My C.V’s:
Appendix11- My CV improvements

5. C3300937
5 | P a g e
Objective 2: Establish a number of contacts within the Estate agent sector as a result
of my research and application of jobs–NOS A311.
Accordingto Hendricks&Raffele (1998) 80% of jobopportunitiesare placedwithinthe hiddenjobs
marketand itis acknowledgedthatthe waymanyof these jobsare takenthroughinternal
employmentornetworkingactivities. Graham(2007) suggestsgraduatescanuse 3 waysof
networking:firstly,throughpersonal networkingsuchasfriendsorfamily,secondlythrough
universitybyusing lecturersandcareersadvice andfinallyby new external contacts.Ihave decided
to use thistheoryas it will alsoaddthe completionof careerobjective 3.Throughthe Work Based
Learningmodule Iwasable to geta part time job ina rock climbingcentre throughthe networking.
Opportunities created as a result of Academic Activity:
Duringmy Work BasedLearningmodule insecondyearIdid120 hoursworkplacementforCityBloc.
Whilstonwork placementInotonlygotto networkwiththe mangersof CityBloc butalso withThe
Works indoorskate parkmanagersand businessadviserMarkTaylor.The linkbelow show through
the work placementIwasable toget part time workafterthe placementfinished.
Appendix12- Work Based Learningnetworking withCity bloc
I didmy dissertationonCityBlocaswell soI have keptintouch and theywouldcontactme if a full
time jobarises.
OpportunitiesCreatedthroughPersonal Activity:
I Have usedLinkedIn,as a tool to access professionalsinthe estate agentsbusinesssoIcan get the
mostup to date tipson businesssuccess. Throughoutthe yearIcontinuallyaimedatincreasingmy
contacts as I wasintroducedtonewnetworksthroughmyacademicandexternal activity:
Appendix13- LinkedIn
Despite thisitisfeltthatI couldhave utilisedthe LinkedIntool toagreaterextenttoextendmy
networksandtherefore potentialopportunitiesandasa resultof thiswill be consideredwithinmy
actionplan.
Personal Contact:Througha personal networkIwasable to contact the managerof the estate agent
Dee Atkinson&Harrisonby usingwhatresourcesavailable asaccordingtoHawkins(1999) it’swho
youknowthat can give youan advantage overothergraduates.

6. C3300937
6 | P a g e
Objective 3: Gain relevant work experience in the area of work that I want to go into
Afterdecidingthatestate agencyisthe jobthat I wouldlike togointo,I lookedforjobsinestate
agencybut the vast majorityof jobswere looking forpreviousexperience inestate agency.Ihave
usedmynetworkingskillstogainrelevantworkexperience.
Appendix14- Gain relevant work experience in the area of work that I want to go into
This work experience has already helped me in applying for jobs as I have already had 1
interview with Haus in Headingely and they mentioned the best thing on the CV was the
relevant work experience. The work that I have arranged to do with Dee Atkinson &
Harrison is scheduled to finish on 21st of June and I will then be looking for a full time job in
Leedsforan estate agentsrole.
Career goalsconclusion:
WhenreflectingonmycareerdevelopmentIfeel that Ihave substantiallyimproved onmycareer
positionsince the beginningof year3. I now have a clear direction,networkingability,contactsand
an improved C.V.However,Ialsoacknowledgethatfact that I mustcontinue towork onmy career
developmenttoimprove areasof weaknessasapart of my lifelonglearningandasa resultI have
identifiedanumberof activitiesthatIcouldutilise tofurtherenhance mycareerabilitywhichare
identifiedwithinmyactionplan:

7. C3300937
7 | P a g e
Academic:
The main aimwithinmyacademicdevelopmentwastoachieve a2:1 classificationfrommydegree.
Thishas beena constant aimof my since the beginningof university,butwith greaterimportance
due to the significantvalue of thirdyearandthe fact that thisoutcome will onlybe achievedonce I
completedmydegree.Itherefore setanumberof objectivesthatIthinkwill helpme achieve this
aim.
Objective 1: To develop as a researcher by writing critically
Criticallyanalysingliterature withinacademicworkisincreasinglyimportantduringuniversityandin
3rd
yearthisis whatis neededtogeta 2:1. If I am to achieve myoverall aimof myacademicgoal,as
it iscommonfactor that iscontinuallyhighlightedwithineverymodule’sgradingcriteria(Grading
CriteriaAppendix 15). The literature (Kane 2003; Goatly2000) that in orderto criticallyanalyse
academicwork,thena wide variationof readinghastooccur fromdifferentsourcestogainevidence

8. C3300937
8 | P a g e
and supportyourparticularargument.I feltthatthiswasoftenan area of weaknessandafter
acknowledgingthismy workimproveddrastically. Toshow the differencebetweenthe amountsof
readingarounda subjectto be critical isan example fortwo 2500 word piecesof workshownin
appendix16.
Objective 2: Become more confident in my ability to present as an individual by the
time I finish university –NOS D210
CollinsandRobson(2011) statedthat employercomplainnotaboutthe qualityof knowledge of
theirnewgraduate butthe needforbettergenericskills,especiallyinthe confidentpresentationof
self-projectsasnotedwithinNOSD210.In relationtothisstatementandself-auditaroundmy
personskillsIfeltthiswasanarea I coulddevelopthroughmyfinal yearof academicstudies.
As identifiedwithinmyareasof development asan areaof weaknesses,throughresearchIaimedto
adopta numberof differentstrategiestoimprove uponmypresentationskills(Bradbury,1997;
McCarthy and Hatcher,2002). The keystrategiesincluded;
- Clearystatedaimsandobjectives
- Planwell inadvance andpractice
- Take a professional approach
- Use clearcommunicationstrategies.
Afterreflectingonmypresentationskillsonce Ihad adoptedthese strategiesIfeltthatIhad
improveduponmyabilitytopresent. Ifeel throughbeingatuniversitymypresentationsskillshave
vastlyimprovedasinfirstyearI wouldreadof the screena lotbut now I am able to talkto the
audience butIstill feel Ineedtoassessthe reactionsof the audience tosee if the message isgetting
across. AccordingtoGreusel (2002) & Theobald (2011) presentations are successful whenyoucan
see the audience istakingthe informationonboardandare fullyfocussedtoyourwork. Reflecting
on the presentationworkthatIhave done over3rd
yearI have improvedalot as inthe individual
presentationformanagingchange Iscored62 whichisthe highestgrade I have scoredina
presentation.Ifeelthiswasdowntousingthe structure of McCarthy and Hatcher(2002) key
strategiesasthe feedbackwasthatit wasa veryclearpresentationtofollow.
Academic Action plan

9. C3300937
9 | P a g e
Personal:
Objective 1: Be more proactive in my goals in order to make them happen
AlthoughIhave identifiedthisas an areaof personal development,thiswillalsohave apositive
effectonmycareer developmentas NOSC259 is basedaroundeffectivetime management &pro
activity. Fischer(2000) arguesthat learningdoesn’tjustsee benefitsinone areaof a personbut inall
areas.
It became apparentearlywithinmythirdyearthatI neededtoimprove my proactivity skillsif Iwas
successfullymanage the heavyworkloadwiththe additionof choosingajobIwant to go intoand
thenthe job searchingprocess.AsI decidedIwantedtobe a estate agentanddidn’thave any
experience Ithenhadto organise whenandhow Icould workwithpart time before Igota full time
jobin Leeds. ResultsfromGradplus(2012) researchshowsthat one of a student’sweakestskillsis
time optimisation &proactivity.Appendix17showsthe stagesI wentthroughin lookingforajob
withbeingproactive.
Duringmy dissertationIhada timetable of whenIwasgoingtodo all the sectionsof work.My
timetable neededtobe organisedandIneededtobe proactive asI was not onlydoingquantitative
researchbutqualitative researchaswell andtheywere verytime consumingtogetthe dataand

10. C3300937
10 | P a g e
alsothen analyse the data fully.AsIwasdoingan interview withthe managerof CityBlocI needed
to proactive andgive hima week’snotice of whenhe coulddothe interview orhe wouldgettobusy
showninappendix 18.
I was originallyunsure whetherIwanted togotravellingtoAustraliawhenfinishinguniversityor
stay inLeedsandget a jobin Leeds.Tobe proactive Ilistedall the strengthsandweaknessesof
goingtravellingandthishelpedme make upmymindon whatI wantedto doand I decidedtostay
as showninappendix 19.I decidedtostay I wantedtohave enoughmoneytobe able to do
everythingIwantedtowhile Iwasoutthere so inorderfor thisI proactivelylistedall the thingsI
wantedtodo whenI wasout there andhow mucheverythingwould costbaringfoodandwhere I
wouldstayso I had a roughideaof howmuch moneyIwill needtodoeverythingwhenIam out
there showninappendix 20.
Overview of goals
Short term goals:
To make sure my academicwritingiscritical. Thisisalsoa longtermgoal as there isa possibilitythat
I may doa postgraduate degree afterfinishinguniversity.
Gain relevantworkexperience isshorttermasI planto get a full time jobafterIfinishwithDee
Atkinson&Harrison.
Mid term goals:

11. C3300937
11 | P a g e
Improve myCV is a midtermgoal as I will improvingitwhenIfinishworkforDee Atkinson&
Harrisonas thiswill be reallyhelpful forme togeta job inestate agencybutalso I will keep
improvingitincase I finda differentjobthatIwouldenjoymore andwantto applyforthat to.
Long term goals:
Presentationskill willneedtobe constantlyworkedonaswhile beinganestate agentIwill needto
presentthe house inthe bestwayinorder forthe unique sellingpointsof the house are seenand
make it more likelytobe purchased.
Proactive skillswill alsobe longtermastheywill be neededtocostup all outgoingstowhatis
cominginto make sure that I am savingenoughmoneyforbillsaswell ashavingthe goal of goingto
Australiaandhavingthe moneytodo everythingIwanttodo while I’mthere.
Networkingisalsoalongtermgoal as thisisconstantlybeingimprovedsoIwill keepdoingthisall
the time.
Coaching Process:
I have used the coaching sessions to help analyse where I am with all areas but I found
career to be the most helpful as it had the most changes during the time of the coaching
sessions so it had the most to talk about as shown appendix 21 and 22.

12. C3300937
12 | P a g e
References
Bradbury,A. (2006) Successful PresentationSkills.3rd ed.London:MPG
Bright,J. & Earl, J. (2008) Brilliant CV: WhatEmployers Wantto See and How to Say it. Harlow:
PearsonEducationLimited.
Collins,M.,& Robson,S.(2011) Ensuring employabilitybydegrees:The leisure review.[Internet],
Available from:<http://www.theleisurereview.co.uk/articles11/degrees.html>[LastAccesses
26/04/2012]
Commissionof the EuropeanCommunities(2006) Adult learning:It is nevertoo late to learn.
Brussels. COM
Corfield,R.(2009) Successful InterviewSkills:How to Prepare,Answer Tough Questionsand Get
Your Ideal Job. 5th Ed. London:Kogan Page Limited.
Cottrell,S.(2003) The study skillshandbook. 2nd Ed, Palgrave,McMillian,Basingstoke.
Fischer,G.(2000) LifelongLearning - More than Training. Journal of Interactive Learning Research,
11(3) pp.265-294.
Goatly,A.(2000) Critical Readingand Writing:An introductionCourse book. Routledge,London.
Graham, D. (2007) The Impact of NetworkingSkillsTraining on Job Search Behaviors and Attitudes
of Graduate Students Relative to Personality.Denvor:Universityof Denver.
Greusel,R.(2002) Architect'sEssentialsofPresentationSkills.New York:JohnWiley& Sons.
Hawkins,P.(1999) The art of buildingwindmills:careertactics for the 21st century, Liverpool.
Graduate intoEmploymentUnit.
Hendricks,E.& Raffele,F.(1998) Successful BusinessNetworking.Worcester:ChandlerHouse Press
Honey,P.(2007) Continual Personal Development.Maidenhead. PeterHoneyPublications
Kane,T. (2003) The Oxfordessential guide to writing.Oxford:OxfordUniversityPress
Kumar,A. (2007) Personal,Academic& CareerDevelopmentinHigher Education (SOARingto
success),UK. Routledge
LifelongLearningProgram.(2010) LifelonglearningProgram: About the Program, [Internet],
Available from:<http://www.lifelonglearningprogramme.org.uk/about-the-programme>[Accessed
06/11/2011].
McGee, P(1997) How to write a CV that works.Oxford,UK. How to BooksLtd

13. C3300937
13 | P a g e
McCarthy, P.,& Hatcher,C. (2002) Presentationskills:the essential guide forstudents.London,UK.
Sage Publications
SkillsActive.(2012) National Occupational Standards, [Internet],Availablefrom:
<http://www.skillsactive.com/our-sectors/sport/national-occupational-standards>[LastAccessed
24/04/2012].
The Telegraph(2013) Slump in graduate jobs market hits six-in-10ex-students.[Internet] United
Kingdom.Availablefrom:
<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/9814069/Slump-in-graduate-jobs-
market-hits-six-in-10-ex-students.html>[Accessed13thApril 2013]
Theobald,T.(2011) Developingyourpresentationskills. London,UnitedKingdom. The Sundaytimes
Schuller,T.,Preston,J.Hammond,C., Brassett-Grundy,A.andBynner, J.(2004) The Benefitsof
Learning,London. Universityof London,
CIS (2010) ContinuousProfessional Development.[Internet] UnitedKingdom.Availablefrom:
<http://www.cis-
assessment.co.uk/default.asp?p=Online_Assessments_Support_Continuous_Professional_Developm
ent> [Accessed19thMay 2013]