Scenario
Training opportunities in the workplace, or professional development, have become a sound investment for employers. In addition to reducing recruiting and retention costs, professional development has been demonstrated to boost productivity and job satisfaction. For employees, it also offers new opportunities for enhancing skills, and for positioning themselves for new opportunities within the organization outside of regular promotions. For the past seven years, your company has sponsored a professional enrichment program (PEP). Each year, a small group or cohort of six to eight employees is chosen to participate in special professional enrichment activities in both group and individual formats. They are paired with mentors from leaders across the company. Employees submit a letter and career plan that serve as their application to the program.
Young male mentor coaching an older female coworker at a laptop.
This year, the application process has been announced and your direct manager has encouraged you to apply. You struggled with the decision to apply: You enjoy working for your company but had not previously envisioned what your long-term career path would be within the organization. You were also worried about the time investment, as the program represents a significant personal commitment on your part. However, upon completing your own research into the program and its graduates, youve discovered that the opportunity would be more valuable to you personally than you had previously imagined. Historically, employees who were involved in the PEP program received opportunities to advance within the company, sometimes making lateral moves and changing to departments and roles entirely specific to their own passions and interests. One previous program participant is currently a member of the senior leadership team. It also intrigues you that while not everyone has stayed with the company, theyve all used this learning opportunity to continue to grow as individuals. For example, one participant left to pursue a passion for working with global nongovernmental organizations and accepted a position as a human resources coordinator with Doctors without Borders.
Directions
PART 1: LETTER (APPROXIMATELY 250300 WORDS)
Your Learning Experiences: One of the requirements for acceptance into this selective group is submitting a letter for your candidacy to the program. The committee wants to understand who you are as an individual and how the knowledge and skills youve gained during your academic experiences have shaped you, so that they can gauge by those experiences how they could expect you to grow as an individual during this professional development opportunity.
Ensure your letter addresses:
Key knowledge topics and skills acquired during your academic program
Specific examples of experiences you engaged in based on projects you completed during your academic program
The influence of these experiences on your personal or professional interests
Strategies: You want the committee to know that you have the ability to overcome challenges and use them as a springboard to learn and develop new skills. You are constantly learning and building on your experiences. Ensure that your letter addresses:
The approaches used to address challenges as a learner
The value of these approaches in other aspects of your life
Importance of Feedback: The committee wants to know that you will value the opportunities for growth that the program offers and are open to learning and accepting constructive feedback. In particular, you will be receiving feedback from the coordinators of the professional enrichment program, your peers, and your mentors throughout the program. Describe how feedback has been important to your growth as a individual. It can be positive or negative, or perhaps you didnt receive specific feedback. For example, you may have not received feedback that would have changed the situation for you. Ensure that your letter addresses:
The impact of the feedback on your perspective on a given issue or life situation
Did it point you in new directions?
Did it change your approach?
The impact of the feedback on shaping you as a learner:
Did it point you in new directions?
Did it change your approach?
PART 2: CAREER PLAN (APPROXIMATELY 1,0001,500 WORDS)
Areas of Opportunity: If you are accepted into the program, the training will focus on developing you and your peers. The committee wants to see that you can identify areas of opportunity for yourself and show them that you have a capacity for growth. Ensure that you address both contexts for growth:
Personal
Professional
Long-Term Goals: It is important to show the committee that you are thinking ahead and see a concrete future for yourself. Your long-term goals should be:
Specific and measurable, meaning they are concrete and you can identify ways to measure them
Attainable and timely, meaning you can achieve them within a specific time frame
Action-oriented, meaning they are focused on results
Action Plan: You want to let the committee know that youve thought about a strategy and resources for putting your goals into action.
Strategies: What tasks or steps will achieve each goal?
Timeline: What is your timeline for the tasks/steps? What is your deadline for the goal?
Resources: What resources will you need? For example, will you need to learn a language, or will you need help from a professional network member?
Part 1: Letter of Candidacy for Professional Enrichment Program
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, Zip]
[Email Address]
[Date]
Professional Enrichment Program Selection Committee
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
[City, State, Zip]
Dear Members of the Selection Committee,
I am writing to express my candidacy for the Professional Enrichment Program (PEP). Throughout my academic journey, I have acquired essential knowledge and skills, particularly in project management and communication. For instance, during my capstone project, I led a team in developing a marketing strategy for a local nonprofit organization. This experience honed my leadership abilities and deepened my understanding of how effective communication can drive team success.
These academic experiences have significantly influenced my professional interests. I have developed a passion for fostering collaboration and enhancing productivity within teams. However, I recognize that challenges are an inevitable part of growth. During my studies, I faced difficulties in navigating group dynamics and ensuring everyone’s voice was heard. To overcome this, I employed active listening and conflict resolution techniques, which not only improved our project outcomes but also enriched my personal relationships.
Feedback has played a crucial role in my development as an individual. Constructive criticism from peers regarding my communication style prompted me to adapt my approach, making me more aware of how I can impact others positively. This shift has inspired me to seek feedback actively, as it has often provided me with new perspectives and guided my growth as a learner.
I am eager to participate in the PEP, as it represents an invaluable opportunity for further development and mentorship. I am committed to embracing the challenges and feedback that come with this program, confident that they will facilitate my evolution into a more effective professional.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the potential of contributing to and growing within this esteemed program.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Part 2: Career Plan
Areas of Opportunity
Personal Growth
1. Self-Awareness: One of the primary areas I wish to develop is self-awareness. Understanding my strengths and weaknesses will allow me to engage more effectively with others and improve my decision-making skills.
2. Emotional Intelligence: Enhancing my emotional intelligence will enable me to navigate workplace dynamics more effectively and cultivate better relationships with colleagues.
Professional Growth
1. Leadership Skills: Participating in the PEP will provide me with opportunities to develop leadership skills that are essential for career advancement.
2. Networking: Expanding my professional network is another area of growth that will open doors for future career opportunities.
Long-Term Goals
Goal 1: Develop Leadership Skills
- Specific: Attend at least three leadership workshops during the PEP.
- Measurable: Successfully lead a project team in at least one initiative at work within a year of completing the program.
- Attainable: Utilize the mentorship aspect of PEP to gain insights from established leaders.
- Timely: Achieve this goal within 18 months after completing the PEP.
Goal 2: Increase Professional Network
- Specific: Connect with at least ten new professionals in my industry through PEP-related networking events.
- Measurable: Maintain relationships with at least five professionals for potential collaboration or mentorship.
- Attainable: Leverage social media platforms like LinkedIn to keep in touch and engage with these contacts.
- Timely: Accomplish this within six months after completing the PEP.
Action Plan
Action Steps for Goal 1: Develop Leadership Skills
1. Research Workshops: Identify relevant leadership workshops offered during the PEP and select those that align with my goals.
- Timeline: Within the first month of joining the program.
2. Engage with Mentors: Schedule regular meetings with mentors to discuss leadership strategies and seek guidance on leading teams.
- Timeline: Ongoing throughout the program.
3. Lead a Team Project: Volunteer for leadership roles in projects assigned during the program.
- Timeline: During the duration of the PEP.
Action Steps for Goal 2: Increase Professional Network
1. Attend Networking Events: Participate in all networking events linked to the PEP and actively engage with attendees.
- Timeline: Throughout the program duration.
2. Utilize Social Media: Create a LinkedIn post following each event highlighting key takeaways and tagging new connections.
- Timeline: After each event.
3. Schedule Follow-Up Meetings: Reach out to new connections for coffee chats or virtual meetings to explore mutual interests.
- Timeline: Within two weeks following each event.
Resources
1. Mentorship Access: Leverage mentoring opportunities provided through the program for guidance on leadership.
2. Workshops/Webinars: Attend workshops hosted by industry leaders or guest speakers during the PEP.
3. Networking Tools: Use LinkedIn and other professional networks to maintain connections and engage with new contacts post-program.
By focusing on these areas of opportunity and implementing this action plan, I am confident that I will grow both personally and professionally, ultimately positioning myself for success within [Company Name] and beyond. Thank you for considering my career plan as part of my application to the Professional Enrichment Program.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]