Development Activities
The following is a list of activities that you can use to develop your professional skills and experience.
For assistance creating a development plan and discovering which development activities support the competency most helpful to your own professional development, contact HRTraining@uci.edu for a competency needs assessment and assistance creating a development plan.
Assignments
- Job Rotation
- Stretch (a project or task that is beyond current skill level or knowledge)
- Temporary
- Job shadow
Off-the-job Opportunities
- Joining/leading community groups
- Trying a new skill in a volunteer organization
- Giving presentations to civic groups
Committees
- Work Groups
- Presentations
On-the-job Opportunities
- Taking on new projects or assignments
- Temporary assignments, e.g., filling in for someone on vacation
- Assuming lead role responsibilities
- Improving a process or procedure
- Development plan: On the job activity builder
Cross-Training
- Change functions
- Change shifts
- Work with new people
- Job shadow
Self-Development
- Readings/Self-study
- Professional organizations
- College/University programs
- Seminars
- Expert consultation
- Model someone who has what you need
- Try new things outside of your comfort zone
- Learn the causes of mistakes
Develop in Place
- Mentor/be mentored
- Individual projects
- Perspective-building
- Tough challenge
- Shift size of job
- Network
Start-ups
- New team
- New system/service/process
Feedback
- Formal performance assessment (e.g. 360), feedback from various sources
- Informal solicitation of opinions from those who work with you
- Identify a natural mentor - someone who is interested in your success and future