The document serves as a professional development toolkit for IT professionals, offering resources for personal growth through various tools, articles, and networking opportunities. It includes templates for an individual career development plan and a manager's self-development worksheet, guiding users in setting goals and action steps. Additional resources, such as links to seminars and social networking sites, are also provided to facilitate career advancement.

1. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TOOLKIT
Information technology professionals interested in exploring options for personal growth and
development on the job or between jobs may find the forms and consolidated list of resources
provided below very helpful.
PERSONAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT/EXPLORATION TOOLS
Forms:
• Individual Career Development Plan
• Manager’s Self Development Worksheet
Articles, White Papers and Websites:
• http://www.bitpipe.com/
• http://jobfunctions.bnet.com/Career/Professional+Development/
• http://it.toolbox.com/vendors/white-papers/
• http://whitepapers.zdnet.com/Professions+and+Industries/IT+Professionals/Career+De
velopment/
• http://www.techcareers.com/
• http://www.smartertechnology.com/c/a/Technology-For-Change/10-Information-
Technology-Projects-for-2010/
• http://www.techweb.com/home
• http://www.infoworld.com/d/developer-world/become-your-own-it-career-coach-832
• http://www.eseminarslive.com/
Conferences/Seminars/Self-Study Resources
https://map.bdpa.org/events/EV04EventDetail.aspx?eventID=1397
http://livecoachonline.com/
http://infosecindia.blogspot.com/2006/11/cissp-webcast-searchsecurity_27.html
http://www.cccure.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=609
http://whitepapers.zdnet.com/abstract.aspx?docid=378660
Networking with Other BDPA Members:
BDPA Social Networking:
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10080936173
• Facebook Career Center: www.facebook.com/pages/BDPA-Career-
Center/315327145754
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=21066
• Groupsite: bdpa.groupsite.com
BDPA Chapters:
http://www.bdpa.org/local-chapters.php
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2. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TOOLKIT
Note – conferences and seminars also provide excellent networking opportunities
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3. INDIVIDUAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Name: __________________________________________
Date completed: __________________________________
Instructions:
1. Develop long-term goal/career objective.
2. Identify short-term goals or positions which will lead to long-term goal.
3. Identify actions steps which will help to achieve short-term goals (include
education, training or projects, etc.).
4. Prioritize action steps as follows: A=vital B=important C=optional
Number steps in expected order of completion. (Example: A1, A2, A3, etc.)
5. Transfer action steps to monthly and daily task lists.
Long-term (5+ years) goal (career ultimately desired):
Short-term (1-5 years) goals (positions/degree programs):
Action Steps
(classes, seminars, projects, self-development, activities, etc.)
Priority Description Target Date
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4. MANAGER'S SELF DEVELOPMENT WORKSHEET
Prior experience (jobs, special projects, outside activities, etc.):
Education, Training & Affiliations:
Personal strengths ( interpersonal, technical, managerial, etc.):
List known areas for improvement ( financial, planning, etc.):
List developmental needs:
• Prioritize: A=vital B=important C=optional
• Assign number rank within each group: 1, 2, 3
Item Priority
Action Steps (training, coaching to develop listed areas):
Priority Description Target Date
Transfer action steps to monthly/daily tasks lists.
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