Experiential learning - personal development
Analysis of development of event management and proffessional skills
Clearly it is important for an individual to not only recognise their personal and unique skill set, but equally to call upon previous experiences, as this narrative can contribute to conveying engagement with the unknowable i.e a perspective job (Simpson, 2010).
This outlook is applicable in highlighting transferable skills, as CBI (2013) state that many employers now expect to see evidence of other skills and achievements that boost the attractiveness of a candidate, Kolb's idea of a learning cycle is linked to people shaping themselves; the individual is in control of and manages their own self-development through the reflection of their experiences (Russ,1988).
A report published by CBI & NUS (2011) defines employability skills as being essentially 'preconditioned' for the use of other specialist or technical skills for a particular job, acting as key in underpinning effectiveness at work. To be effective in the workplace, a set of attributes, skills and knowledge is required (CBI & NUS, 2011a), and the experiential learning environment provided by the organising of Untapped allowed for the skills learned and described through academic theory to be applied, reinforcing the foundations of learning (Wiley, 2004). An example of this is in assignment writing where skills such as processing and interpreting information are critically applied using knowledge, which demonstrates a synthesis in the experiential learning environment where decisions such as the choice of venue required research, and often the communication or argument of that point. The Higher Education Academy (2006) has recognised and supported universities tailoring their curriculum towards work - based learning for a number of years, encouraging experiences where a number of the CBI & NUS employability skills can be exercised; in the author's view, within an events management context, these translate into operational, communicative, interpersonal/teamwork, and personal/creative skills. Bladen et al (2012a, pp119-120) expands that,
"An event producer for example may possess high levels of innovation and creativity, yet these talents matter little if she is unable to communicate her ideas effectively.". The event management skills, attributes,
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One of the many ales purchased from the vast selection avaliable at the Sheffield Tap's bar