Homework: Self-Assessment and Professional Development Plan
Objective(s):
i. List event planning experience and capabilities
ii. Evaluate personal strengths a weaknesses related to professional event planning
iii. Design a professional development plan
Explain the expectations and career path of the professional event planner.
Description:
This is an opportunity for students to establish a baseline understanding of the professional knowledge, skills and abilities required by professional event planners and evaluate their own learning needs early in their studies. In this homework, students will assess their current experience and capabilities in event planning and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses in terms of the MBECS standards. They will then project a plan for developing skills in areas that are new or underdeveloped. The homework should include the following:
I. Event Planning Experience - in 1- 3 paragraphs, describe any personal event planning experience, whether professional or not. The student does not have to be the only or primary person planning the event - being part of a team is OK. Explain the knowledge, skills and abilities that the student used to help plan the event or portion of the event. Describe the outcome and any lessons learned from past even planning efforts. If the student has no prior experience, describe any event planning that was observed and what you learned from witnessing others engaged in the planning process.
II. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) Self-Assessment
Using the list below, the student should identify at least three strengths and three weaknesses in their KSAs. For each strength, explain the specific abilities you possess and how you would apply them to professional event planning. For each weakness, explain the specific knowledge, skills or abilities that may be lacking, and if there are any special challenges you face in these areas based on your background and experience.
i. Strategic Planning
ii. Project Management
iii. Risk Management
iv. Financial Management
v. Administration
vi. Human Resources
vii. Stakeholder Management
viii. Meeting or Event Design
ix. Site Management
x. Marketing
xi. Professionalism
xii. Communication
III. Learning Needs and Professional Development Plan
Based on the self-assessment, identify at least three gaps that you believe should be addressed in your event planning education. Explain how you anticipate acquiring more knowledge, skills or abilities in each area. Discuss the role of course work, volunteer work, on-campus employment, internships, conference participation, networking and other efforts in developing these KSAs.
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
i) The answer should be typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), double spaced, with one-inch margins on all sides.
ii) The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
iii) Also include a reference page. The Citations and references must follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.