Activities Introduction

Whether you are just beginning to explore your career, advancing within an established role, or navigating new opportunities, this toolkit offers a flexible and practical guide to help you make the most of your experiences. Each activity in this toolkit is designed to be practical, adaptable, and relevant to the diverse roles within your professional practice. Whether you are reflecting on academic achievements, professional challenges, or moments of personal insight, the activities encourage you to think critically and creatively about your journey.

To begin, think about a recent learning experience that stands out to you. This could be from the past year of your degree programme, a professional development opportunity you engaged with through your workplace or University, or even participation in a conference, workshop, or community event. The key is to identify a 'learning journey'—an experience or period of growth where you gained new skills, insights, or perspectives that are meaningful to your professional or personal development. This 'learning journey' should be used as the focus for the activities in the toolkit, which will guide you through this process of thoughtful reflection and support your development planning. 

Choose an activity from the list below, read the instructions, and follow the prompts. Each activity has been designed to take 15–30 minutes, but you are welcome to spend as much time as you need. You can return to the activities and prompts as often as you like, revisiting them to deepen your reflections and create a more comprehensive record of your learning journey.

This record can serve multiple purposes. It can help you articulate your professional growth in conversations with mentors, supervisors, or peers, and it can also act as a foundation for planning the next steps in your career. By taking the time to engage with these activities, you are not only celebrating your accomplishments but also investing in your future development and preparing to meet the evolving challenges and opportunities in your professional context.

It is recommended that you approach each activity with an open mind and allow yourself to explore the full depth of your learning experiences. Your journey is unique, and this toolkit is here to help you identify its significance and potential.

Choose your first activity from the list below:

Collaging: Collaging

Learning stories: Learning Stories

I-poetry: I-Poetry  

Professional autobiography: Professional Autobiography 

Professional goal setting: Professional Goal Setting