An integral part of the reflection component of GEL, the Personal Leadership Development Plan (PLDP) assignment guides students through self-reflection on their strengths and weaknesses regarding the Capabilities of Effective Engineering Leaders. The PLDP is designed to foster personal development as GELs identify areas of focus as they practice leadership. Both GEL1s and GEL2s complete a PLDP during the academic year.

Assignment Overview

GELs first complete a baseline PLDP soon after they enter the program via a template provided in EL class (6.912). All capabilities are listed and students can select a rating (not yet possess, introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels) and type in their rationale behind the rating. GELs will submit two milestone entries per academic year; however, students are encouraged to add notes to their PLDPs between submittals.

During their time in GEL, students’ understanding of the capabilities and of themselves will evolve. That’s why GELs revisit their baseline PLDP throughout the year, adding to or refining their responses as necessary. At the conclusion of GEL Year 1, students submit a year-end PLDP entry.  GEL2s repeat this process in their second year of the program.

Final Deliverables

GEL 1 Fall semester PLDP submittal
GEL 1 Spring semester PLDP submittal
GEL 2 Fall semester PLDP submittal
GEL 2 Spring semester PLDP submittal