Career Development

Creating Your career development plan

In meeting with the CDC you will discuss areas for your growth and development which will most likely include one or more of the Professional Community’s Competencies. You will then work on creating your own development plan which you will review, discuss and finalize with the CDC. This plan could draw upon suggestions made under each Competency how to develop and / or ideas you bring to the CDC yourself. These ideas could fall under the following categories with specific examples listed under each Competency:

1. University Courses
2. Training / Other Courses
3. Professional Associations / Certifications
4. Books / Publications
5. Experiences

How to Demonstrate Your Progress and Growth

Upon completing the experiences outlined in our plan you should report back to the CDC. In reporting back to the CDC, it is strongly encouraged that specific examples be provided by sharing final work product, presentations, test results, etc. giving a clear, tangible illustration of what was accomplished and learned during the development journey / experiences.

The following is an outline of what can be shared to demonstrate the development efforts made and learning results achieved:

1. DO: Describe what you did in completing / achieving your development plan
Describe the agreed-upon assignment or activity and if anything differed from what was planned;

2. ASSESS: Share, if applicable, any assessments that were taken / provided related to your activities
Indicate whether assessment was part of the experience and to what extent;

3. LEARN: Explain what you felt that you were able to learn during your journey / experiences
Discuss the specifics of the developmental experience, including the specifics regarding the knowledge acquired;

4. APPLY: Give specifics examples where you have / plan to make direct application to your work
Explain how the experience and knowledge gained has helped you (or is expected to help you) in your responsibilities.

5. REFLECT: Review / consider things you would have done differently had you had this experience earlier
Describe what went well and what was different than you expected. How your experiences were or were not transformational (eg. how are you a different person because of the experiences you had).