PDA Group: Broadening Activities

Participating in group activities inside or outside of the working environment that can assist with the development of interpersonal skills.

Undertaking pro bono (unpaid) activities that can help to develop professional skills or offer additional insight into, or understanding of, own working role, for example mentoring, coaching, teaching.

Undertaking learning in subjects relevant to, but not directly related to, own role (e.g. foreign language courses, mentoring skills, cultural awareness and diversity training), perhaps through self-study and using free on-line courses like MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses).

Standing in for supervisor or manager on a temporary basis during periods of absence.

Undertaking temporary periods or secondments in other roles, particularly those that offer a new perspective on own function or exposure to other environments and cultures.

Participating in community or civic affairs. Not-for-profit organisation activity. (e.g. Computing at School.)

Participating in a project team, working group or task force established to deliver a solution to a specific problem or issue – especially valuable if the group is inter-disciplinary.

Acting as a mentor, advising those for whom there is no direct responsibility, on matters to do with their job role, career and professional development.

Carrying out professional duties abroad for employing organisation. Developing cultural awareness and sensitivity to different ethnic and social groups.