Professional Development Plan (Expected length = 4 to 5 pages (12-point font, double-spaced)
Through your portfolio, you engaged in an assessment/affirmation process of your knowledge and skills in each of the generalist social work competency areas.
Now is an excellent time to identify your professional goals and develop a plan for yourself. The materials and prompts below are tools you can use to do so.
Respond to each of the 8 prompts below. Remember this plan is not about discussing the competencies you addressed in the portfolio. The goal here is to focus on your next steps rather than your accomplishments as a student.
The prompts are for guidance. Feel free to respond in a way that is authentic for you. Some of the specific questions may not fit with your plans and ideas. This is okay—talk about what is true for you.
Part 1: Desired Area(s) of Practice
Discuss areas of social work practice that you are considering for your career. You can discuss as many as you would like. If you have your sights set on one particular area of practice, discuss at least one in addition to this preferred area of practice.
Part 2: Motivation
Discuss/describe what compels you to this area or areas of practice. What about it appeals to you?
Part 3: Needed knowledge and skills
What knowledge and skills are needed in this arena of practice?
Part 4: Continuing Education
What is your plan for continuing your professional development or lifelong learning as we’ve often called it?
Do you plan to be licensed? When will you pursue licensure? How will you prepare for this?
Do you plan to get an MSSW? Some other master’s degree? A doctorate? In what area of study? If another degree is in your future but not right away—when do you plan to go back to school?
If another degree is not your plan, think about how you will gain the knowledge and skills you need for lifelong learning and describe your plan for that.
Part 5: Assessment of Current Opportunities
What opportunities have you identified that you are considering right now?
Have you identified jobs you plan to apply for? Have you already applied?
Have you applied to graduate school?
Have you already accepted a job or been accepted to grad school?
Part 6: Your Strengths
First, let go of any fear of bragging, and then:
Discuss what you are good at
What do you have to offer?
How will an organization benefit from having you work there?
Some people struggle with naming their strengths. It is quite possible to name strengths while being humble and recognizing areas for growth.
Part 7: Your challenges and/or areas for growth
For this section, describe what you might think of as weaknesses. What do you need to work on to minimize struggle and instead feel confident? You probably know that this is a common question during job interviews. Authentic answers show self-awareness, humility, and openness to growth.
Part 8: Identify Goals and Objectives using the SMART Goal format
Identify at least two professional goals for yourself.
Then, identify at least three steps for each goal that you will take to reach the goal.
Include a timeline for each step.
Many times, a goal gets stuck in the idea phase. A reason for this is not having a plan to execute. So, make a beginning plan for yourself here. And remember—your goals may evolve as you change and grow. Revise your plan as needed moving forward.
This is first-person writing, no sources needed.
