Personal DevelopmentPlanning

School of Law

What is it? As a student at Queen’s, you will need to engage in a

structured process that supports you in achieving your academic, career/professional goals.

The Schools of Law offers you a range of supports. These include,

Academic and Professional Skills development (embedded in your course).

Student Handbooks, and of other guidance (in hard copy and online). Study Skills Handbook (Cottrell) Student Law Society Services in the Student Guidance Centre. E.g. Careers events/supports

and Learning Development Service.

The PDP Cycle

Decide your goals

Make formalPlans to

achieve goals

Action

What strengthsand weaknesses

Emerged?

You should view PDP as a project management

cycle and a preparation for CPD (Continuing Professional

Development). All qualified Law Professionals are expected Engage in CPD and maintain

a record of it.

E.G. OF PDP CYCLE USED IN CAREER CHOICE MODEL – R. COPELAND PRESENTATION TO LEVEL 1

LAW STUDENTS.

SELF AWARENESS

1. What I am interested in and could do?

OPPORUNTIY AWARENESS

2. What is out there?

DECISION MAKING – ACTION PLANNING

3. What can I do now?

CAREER MANAGEMENT/

LEARNING

4. How well am I doing?

REFLECTPLAN

DOEVALUATE

CRITICAL EVALUATION OF YOUR PROGRESS AS A STUDENT OF LAW.

Accdemic skills and performance E.g.

Case Study Analysis, effective use of the Law Library, using appropriate Referencing Systems.

Communication (written & oral) and Interpersonal skills: Problem Analysis and Resolution Legal Research Skills and Formulating Legal Arguments

Developing Professional attributes through PDP & CPD by: Reflecting on own learning and proactively seek and make

use of feedback Acting independently in planning and undertaking tasks

Why is it important?

Setting, planning and achieving clear personal targets is a feature of autonomous learners and effective professionals. It is also a useful motivational tool.

Engaging with PDP helps you to apply your knowledge and skills in different contexts (Transferable skills). Your ability to do this, and provide and provide evidenced examples, will ultimately be of interest to employers.

What do I need to do?

1. Use of Personal Development Planning e-folio in Queen’s Online and the PDP Tutoring system to help you move through the cycle.

2. Recognise that lecturer time is limited. Learn how to be the driver of your own PDP.

3. Consider how written, verbal and peer feedback on individual or group performances apply to you. What actions you need to take as a result?

Accessing Your E-folio

NavigateUsing page

headers and blue

hyperlinks

Some Useful Supports (My School Page)

Induction and other tasks to complete and discuss with PDP Tutor

Useful guidance and information

links

Tasks to do now1. Set up a “PDP Folder” in your Student Home Drive home. Save the

PowerPoints that were emailed to you on 1.10.09 into the folder now. You will continue to add completed PDP tasks, CV’s etc into this over the next 3 years.

2. Log onto your E-folio and go to the “My School” Page. Complete Tasks 1 & 2 (Time Management & SALPI). These should be saved into your folder and e-mailed to your PDP Tutor (note the e-mail link in your e-folio)

3. Log 2 Achievements in your E-folio. E.g. Your A-Level or equivalent results and a job/work experience or hobby. Note how these come through in the CV Builder of the E-folio.

4. Browse the other Supports on the My School page e.g. Links to Degree Plus, “Improving Your Key Skills” and LDS and other Services

A FINAL NOTE – The E-folio is a technically secure and private area. PDP Tutors can only see general data, such as

how often you use it.

Questions and Discussion