Personal Development Plan for Career and Skills Growth
Careers are sometimes as fleeting as the dreams that encompass them. Often, individuals, in search of a career dream of financial security, the ability to purchase a dream home, or obtaining material possessions that may showcase their wealth or status. There is no lack of ambition and fortitude within individuals in this regard. We all want to achieve success is some form or another. We all aspire for greatness, albeit in varying degrees and capacities (Maslow, 1996). What is lacking however is a concrete method in which to achieve ones desired financial and career goals. The Bureau of Labor Statistics in recent report indicated that individuals change careers approximately 11 times during their lifetime. Many jobs are becoming obsolete as they are either replaced or outsourced overseas. Many jobs are cyclical in nature and thus are only needed during periods of economic euphoria. No matter what the theory is however, one constant will always remain. Individuals need to utilize their talents and skillsets to maximize their earnings potential (Druker, 1999). In order to achieve this success, I believe it prudent to develop a personal development plan outlining an individual's goals and objectives. This resource is very important as it provides the foundation for the individual's future objectives. Personal development is of particular interest in the midst of our current economic turmoil (Ibarra, 2003). Now, perhaps more than any other period in history, development of individual skills will determine financial success. As such, I personally have made significant strides in my development with respect to my work and individual life. Currently, as is the case with many recessions, companies have a tendency to lay off mass amounts of labor. This has occurred throughout many of the developed nations including, but not limited to, America, Europe, and Japan. This requires a renewed emphasis on skill development on the part of individuals.