Being the best version of yourself is the goal of professional development in Singapore. People go beyond their way when achieving their daily tasks at work. Some pursue a postgraduate degree to increase their knowledge of their field. Lastly, other people engage in volunteer opportunities that shape their character inside and outside the office. There is so much to do, and you will definitely reach your goals if you have a growth mindset!

Let this article explain the five phases of professional development. You will also learn about how you can achieve these things for yourself.

WHAT IS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT?

The world is constantly changing and getting more advanced. Think of the digital marketing trends you know. Nowadays, observe how most small to medium enterprises resort to using TikTok (a video sharing platform) to help them reach their marketing goals. It only became popular around 2020-2021. Another would be the number of discoveries in STEM education in Singapore. More and more teachers are improving their pedagogy to cater to their students. In short, one feature of professional developmentis adapting to these changes. It also means growing your career and not settling with your current position or level.

The second feature of professional development is taking steps to achieve growth in your respective careers. People attend seminars about their work or pursue a related postgraduate degree. There is so much to learn in the office, but one way to increase knowledge is by going out in the open and exploring other things. Taking STEM courses in Singapore is one example of this. You learn academically while seeking ways to apply them in your career or the other way around.

Lastly, while certifications, degrees, conferences, and seminars are essential for the journey of professional development, you need to have a growth-oriented mindset and a passion for what you are doing. It is the energy that fuels your need to improve your current skill set.

WHAT ARE THE FIVE PHASES?

There is a linear process in achieving professional development and taking courses in Singapore. You start from scratch and eventually finish the journey prepared to take on whatever challenge your career gives. Here are the five phases of career growth:

#1: SELF DISCOVERY

Most people think long-term the moment they enter university. A particular student might have taken a STEM programme in Singapore to prepare for a career in Marine Biology, Chemistry, or the Medical field. However, some people are confused despite preparing for their future. It might be a change of interest or anything that made them want to explore a different avenue for growth.

Graduating from a university or polytechnic school can be overwhelming. You will face countless job opportunities, and the unfamiliarity with these things can also cloud your judgement. It is normal because part of achieving professional development is discovering things and sometimes failing at them.

Overall, the end goal of this stage is to narrow down your choices or find the career that interests you.

#2: LEARNING ABOUT YOUR CAREER

At this stage, you already know your skill sets, strengths & weaknesses, and the career you want to pursue. Some people might already have their first job. The second phase of professional development is where you start from scratch and rise by learning about whatever career interests you.

For people who took STEM courses in Singapore, this means finding ways to practically apply their knowledge. A Biology professional can conduct fieldwork or just go out in the open to examine the nature of living things. Someone who took Chemistry can immerse themselves in the laboratory to explore the fundamentals of substances.

This stage can also happen halfway throughout your career – probably around three to five years into your job. You might be taking professional development courses in Singapore to further your knowledge and skills. Another would be attending more conferences to learn from industry leaders.

#3: COLLABORATING WITH OTHERS

Teamwork and collaboration skills are assets in the workplace. There is a good reason the educational system puts a premium on this the moment we enter kindergarten. It is something that aids both personal and professional development.

This stage is about collaborating with others to strengthen your learning. In a brainstorming session at a marketing agency, you would learn different outputs from people about strategising for a particular campaign or their suggestions on what type of content to share during the day. Another would be people from a STEM programme in Singapore conceptualising a feasible experiment to explain the life cycle of a living thing.

To sum things up, it is gathering new knowledge by exposing yourself to varying personalities and perspectives.

#4: SHARING YOUR KNOWLEDGE

To become an authority on the subject, you must have relevant knowledge. Of course, people would not trust someone for marketing or human resources advice if they do not have the qualifications and learnings about it: like how a person who took STEM courses should be able to explain what they explored in the university or college.

It does not have to be earning the coveted managerial position or being a high-ranking employee instantly. You can also experience this when your colleagues ask you for tips for their advantage. In short, you are making an impact in the workplace while aiding your professional development in Singapore.

#5: LEADING YOUR TEAM

Leading and managing a team is the goal of most corporate professionals. It indicates growth, professional development, increasing knowledge, and the authority to make a change in the workplace.

You are still learning at this point, but there is a greater level of skills because you are entrusted to lead an entire team to pursue the company’s goals. For instance, you started with being a marketing associate who assists everyone in the team, but now, you can already give tasks and manage an entire team.

The takeaway here is every step you take is valuable. Whether it is taking STEM courses in Singapore or reading books related to your career, it lets you grow personally and professionally.

IDE Academy offers professional development courses for those who want to succeed. If you have queries and concerns, contact them for more information.