What is the IDP?
The Individual Development Plan (IDP) is a tool graduate students use periodically to reflect on their training progress, identify professional goals, create manageable plans, and get feedback from their mentors. We encourage everyone to use the comprehensive career planning tool myIDP hosted by Science Careers at least once. Alternative versions of IDPs can be obtained from the Graduate College. Recognizing that effective use of an IDP varies from person to person and as one progresses through graduate school, here we provide a simplified and tailored framework for self-assessment based on the core competencies that graduate students are expected to obtain per the Society for Neuroscience.
Instructions
- Self-reflection – Spend some time reflecting and journaling about your time in graduate school. This is a private exercise. Prompts include:
- Are you in good physical, mental, and emotional health?
- Is your research stimulating?
- Is your lab supportive?
- Have you identified a career you want to pursue once you obtain your PhD?
- (Yes) Do you know what you need to obtain your desired job?
- (No) How can you learn more about your career options?
- Complete the Milestones chart – Check off the description that best describes your current skill level in each of the five core competencies (conceptual knowledge, research skill development, rigorous & responsible conduct of research, communication skills, and career development). Be honest, if you are below or above the level indicated by the time you have been in graduate school (pre-comps, post-comps, approaching graduation) it will be important to discuss your specific needs with your mentors.
- List 2 accomplishments or challenges – These should be items from the last year (or last time you completed an IDP). Consider any recent experimental methods or results, your coursework, interpersonal relationships in your research group/department/program, your confidence in giving seminar presentations, and your ability to network with both peers and senior scientists.
- List 2 specific goals to complete in the coming year – These should be “SMART” goals, simple and feasible ways to build on past accomplishments or solve challenges to ensure you progress towards mastery of the core competencies listed in the Milestones chart. The goals are often centered on larger product goals (i.e., writing papers, applying for a grant, giving a seminar presentation, and expanding one’ professional network)
- Discuss your Milestones chart and new goals with your mentors (i.e. Research advisor, Student Advisory Committee, Thesis Committee members) to prompt a discussion about your progress and additional opportunities for professional growth.