PDW Reflection

 Ehtasham Khan (0337420)

Professional Development Week Reflection

Introduction: Week 8 was fully packed with extremely knowledgable and helpful sessions in light of the Professional Development Week. Before delving deeper into the sessions, it is important to highlight how beneficial these sessions have proven to be. They were meticulously curated to prepare students for the upcoming chapter of their lives, and every speaker imparted extremely valuable tips and insights for our professional lives ahead.

Keynote: “Career Readiness & Employability Success: 10 Quick Top Tips That Will Help Graduates Get Hired” by MBSB BANK:

The MBSB BANK keynote included insightful information about the essential guidelines for success in the job market and career planning.  Professional networking and interview etiquette were among the topics covered in the top suggestions. The speakers' personal journey of becoming a CEO was incredibly motivating and inspirational. Personally, it was really insightful to see how much emphasis was placed on developing a broad skill set. These pointers will surely direct my approach when I start my job search, making me stand out and secure employment.

"Best Practices in LinkedIn & Professional Online Etiquette” by PwC:

The PwC seminar on LinkedIn and appropriate online conduct illuminated the significance of having a strong digital presence in the contemporary professional environment. I now recognise the influence that a professionally constructed internet persona can have on employment prospects. I'm inspired to update my LinkedIn profile and use the tips mentioned to properly use internet resources to expand my professional network. The speaker also highlighted on some very important points that are relevant to the modern world such as online interview etiquette and email etiquette. These pointers are undoubtedly extremely important and relevant and will greatly help me during my job search.

"Financial Literacy for Fresh Graduate” by ALLIANZ:

The financial literacy workshop for fresh graduates hosted by ALLIANZ offered valuable perspectives on how to handle money well in the beginning of one's professional life. It's critical to comprehend ideas like investing, saving, and budgeting, and the seminar gave me useful information that I can utilise for life. I now feel more equipped to handle the financial transition from university to the world of employment by making wiser choices. A few tips that struck a chord with me were regarding managing your cash, having an emergency fund for rainy days as well as retirement planning. I must admit, retirement planning was a matter that never made its way to my mind but I am more than motivated now to plan and work towards these goals.

"Succeeding in a Multi-Role Creative Media Industry" by WSVS STUDIO:

It was enlightening to attend the WSVS STUDIO session on thriving in the multi-role creative media sector. My professional goals in the creative industry aligned with the conversation on the wide range of skills needed and the capacity to transition between different roles. In order to become more competitive in the fast-paced creative sector, I am motivated to learn new skills and adopt a flexible mindset. This session felt more personal since our speaker was a senior from Taylors’s University. What stood out to me the most were his tips regarding perfection. Personally, I have always struggled with perfection and most often, that is the very thing that hinders my capabilities. This session was a much needed reminder that perfection can only be sought after years and years of imperfections.

"Networking & Personal Branding” by WOLF TRAINER:

WOLF TRAINER's networking and personal branding workshop highlighted the value of developing a strong personal brand and forming meaningful professional relationships. I now recognise the importance of networking for advancing one's career and the influence of a strong personal brand on career prospects. I am looking forward to put the techniques we covered into practice to strengthen my networking abilities and develop my personal brand. 

"Career Opportunities & Roles within Digital and Tech in an Agile Setup” by CIMB GROUP:

CIMB GROUP's workshop on employment prospects and positions in the digital and tech area was highly informative. The examination of various roles and the flexible work atmosphere provided a thorough comprehension of the changing digital environment.  I'm extremely inspired by this session to explore career options in the IT and digital industries, taking use of their flexibility and inventiveness to forge a dynamic route.

"Career Prospects in the Media Industry in the Age of A.I.” by OMNICOM MEDIA GROUP:

The presentation given by OMNICOM MEDIA GROUP on employment opportunities in the media sector in the era of artificial intelligence shed light on how artificial intelligence is revolutionising roles in the media. Now that I am aware of how things are changing, I realise how important it is to keep up with the advancements in technology.  This session has increased my drive to adjust and learn skills related to the convergence of media and artificial intelligence, so that I will remain employable in the future. It was highlighted how important it is to use AI to your benefit but not rely on it completely and that really struck a chord with me.

Conclusion: My recent understanding of various professional realms has been greatly influenced by the combined insights from Professional Development Week. As I proceed, I am motivated to incorporate these insights into my career plan to guarantee ongoing development and flexibility in the dynamic workplace.