Career Advice - Professional Development
Professional Development is one of the cornerstones of our working lives. It is the process which keeps us interested in our work, gives us the drive to progress our careers, keeps industry competitive and, ultimately, makes us employable throughout our lives. What's more, professional development is something we do every day of our lives without even thinking about it.
Professional Development is the continuous enhancement and maintenance of your skills, experiences, attributes and competencies. PD can be many things to many people. Examples of the types of activities are:
- On the job learning;
- Private reading and study;
- Professional institution activities;
- Writing papers and articles;
- Assisting and supporting colleagues and other professionals;
- Academic/vocational qualifications;
- Informal training.
What transforms these activities and experiences into professional development is your ability to understand what you have learnt and add this new knowledge and/or experience to your overall approach to professional activities. This is achieved in a three step process which can be applied to all professional and personal activities:
- Experience – You participate in a new or everyday activity;
- Reflection – You understand what you have done, why you have done it and identify better ways of doing it in the future;
- Incorporation – You consistently apply this new approach to your activities so that it becomes a part of your overall skills and knowledge portfolio.
The CPD Cycle
The CPD Cycle is a recognised framework outlining the key stages of an effective professional development programme. It stresses the key stages of PD – Reviewing your portfolio of skills, identifying skills areas for development, planning activities and reviewing progress. It is applicable to professional members (Fellow, Member and Technician Member).For more information please contact Kate Dunk
Professional Development Framework
The Professional Development Framework outlines the requirements and routes for achieving professional recognition as a Member of the Energy Institute as well as the pathway to registration as a professional engineer. It is applicable to Graduates as well as new entrants into the energy sector.For more information on professional development guidance offered to Energy Institute members please contact James Relf
