Personal Development Plan

SWOT Analysis

Strengths

Organising my time – I am organised with my time between my job and university work and like to keep on top of my work to make sure I am ahead. This will help me in my MSc to prevent me from falling behind.
Academic experience – I have carried out a BSc and so have experience in an academic sense and I am comfortable with carrying out research and writing to this standard. This will help me in the step up to MSc.
Practical experience – I have experience working with horses and dogs and feel comfortable handling these animals which will aid me in this course.
Determination – I am a very determined person especially when working towards something that I want to achieve and am passionate about.

Weaknesses

Lack of confidence – I often lack confidence in myself and my abilities and this can affect the way I work. For example, if I was to achieve a grade I was not happy with I struggle to move on from it and work forwards. This is important to address as the more confidence I have in myself the more likely it will come across in my work.
Don’t always ask for help when needed – When I am struggling with something I am not always confident enough to ask for help or I am unsure who to ask for help. Not asking for help can cause mistakes or for me to carrying out something incorrectly if I ask for help then I am more likely to complete everything correctly.
Don’t handle academic stress well – When struggling with something such as an assignment or revision for the course I can get stressed quite easily which can affect my work. Finding a way for me to reduce my stress levels will help to prevent issues within my work as I will be thinking with a more relaxed mind.

Opportunities

Opportunity to study – I was given the opportunity to study for my Bsc and successfully completed my degree and now I have been given the opportunity to carry out my MSc and to achieve my goal of becoming a Physiotherapist.
Contacts – I have family and friends that have either horses, dogs or both which will be useful when training in my second year and also once qualified.

Threats

Exams – To move onto the second year and to qualify as a Veterinary Physiotherapist I will need to pass all my exams and assignments so the possibility of failing is a big threat as it will prevent me from moving forward and achieving my goals.
Other businesses – Once qualified other physiotherapists will be a threat to my own business so it will be important to research into the area I live and will be working in to understand the market that is most needed.
Job – Working full-time, although a necessity for me, can have its effects while studying as it takes time away from doing assignments and revising so my time keeping skills will be critical to reducing this as a threat.
Employment history – My current and previous employment history are not particularly animal-based and I feel this hinders me both now while studying, as I feel I am less qualified than most others on the course and in the future if I would want to be employed by an equine or canine based company.

Goals

Short-term goals

Find a job based in a relevant industry – I would like to find a job that has more relevance to the degree I am studying to increase my contacts, experience and knowledge whether that be in the equine or canine industry as I feel this will help with my confidence. [By February 2018]
Complete and pass my first year assignments and exams – a critical goal of moving on to the second year and a step closer to becoming a physiotherapist. [By June 2018]
Increase my social media profile – I have started an Instagram account based on my journey of becoming a physiotherapist. This will be useful to do now so I don’t have to start from scratch once I'm qualified. [On going]

Long-term goals

Pass all elements of my MSc – Once I have passed all my assignments and exams I will be fully qualified and able to practice as a Physiotherapist. [By July 2019]
Run my own business – Once I am qualified I will set up my own business as a Veterinary Physiotherapist and build up and a good reputation within my area and so increase the number of clients. I will do this by using social media to promote myself and by presenting myself well when with clients. [By December 2020]

How will I achieve these goals

By studying effectively to maximise my chances of passing my exams
By creating an effective studying/assignment timetable to ensure I won't fall behind
Increase my social media presence

Support required

From myself - I will need to support myself as much as possible to ensure I complete my work and to also help myself increase my confidence that I am able to complete this course
From family and friends - If I am doubting myself they will be there to assure me that I am able to continue and carry out the course
From lecturers - I will need to utilise my lecturers and the support they can give me as they will be able to guide me through the course and to passing.

Layla Maidment