Individual Development Plans (IDPs)
One of the most helpful tools that graduate students and postdoctoral scholars can use in their career planning is an Individual Development Plan, or an IDP. While there are a variety of different IDP tools, they share a common purpose: to help you identify specific tasks and experiences you plan to complete in order to clarify your career goals, explore career options, develop specific skills and competencies related to your chosen career paths, or implement a job search.
You can use the following free IDP tools to:
- Self-assess your skills, interests, and values,
- Explore career pathways and professional resources,
- Set goals and keep track of your Progress
MyIDP (Individual Development Plan) is a career-planning tool created to help graduate students and postdocs in the sciences define and pursue their career goals. MyIDP will help you identify the career goals that are right for you and develop a step-by-step plan to reach those goals.
ImaginePhD is a career exploration and planning tool for doctoral students and postdoctoral scholars in the humanities and social sciences. Doctoral students and postdoctoral scholars in other disciplines can also use this tool.
ChemIDP is similar to MyIDP but is specific to those in Chemistry.
PHaSS-IDP is a career exploration and planning tool for all early career professionals, graduate and undergraduate students in public health and social sciences.
Use this link to download and use the IDP template for current doctoral students.
Postdocs should use this link to download the Postdoc IDP template developed by the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.