Career Development Lingo
Individual Development Plan (IDP): An Individual Development Plan is a personalized and flexible plan for navigating your academic, career, professional, and personal development during each year of your doctoral program.
An IDP is a written list of training and career goals mapped to a timeline. It serves as a framework for discussion between you and your advisor. This plan also facilitates four phases: (1) assessment; (2) career and professional development considerations; (3) goal setting; (4) implementation (Credit: UCSF’s Office of Career and Professional Development). Check out the resources page, for more information on exploring careers and creating an IDP.
CV: it stands for “curriculum vitae,” and is a document often used to capture someone’s accomplishments in one’s career. A CV is commonly used when you are applying for a faculty or postdoctoral position, or research- or teaching-focused positions within universities. You may also be required to submit a CV as part of a fellowship/grant application. Check out Beyond the Professoriate for more information on how to write a CV.
Resume: A resume intends to be a brief and targeted highlight of professional accomplishments. It emphasizes transferable skills and related experiences. It is used primarily for positions in industry and non-profit sectors. Check out Beyond the Professoriate for more information on how to write a resume. For government positions, a hybrid document that has elements from both CV and resume is common.
Cover Letter: A cover letter is a one-page document you send with your resume that provides additional information about skills and experiences related to the job you're pursuing. A cover letter is important because it serves as the first chance for the recruiter to see the qualifications that make you a good fit for the position.
Teaching Philosophy Statement: A teaching philosophy statement is a document articulating your beliefs about teaching and learning with evidence of how you enact those beliefs in your teaching. It is commonly asked for when submitting for a faculty position to demonstrate the candidate’s teaching experience and commitment to learners. Check out Beyond the Professoriate for more information on how to write a teaching philosophy statement.
Teaching Portfolio: A cohesive collection of documents that communicates your philosophy of teaching, summarizes your teaching activity, provides evidence of your effectiveness, highlights student mentorship, and demonstrates a commitment to professional development. Check out Beyond the Professoriate for more information on how to compile a teaching portfolio.
Informational Interviews: Informational interviews are scheduled conversations between you and someone whose career you may be interested in. These conversations provide structured opportunities for you to learn more in-depth about career paths, industry trends, and build connections to learn about potential job opportunities. Check out Beyond the Professoriate for more information on how to conduct informational interviews.
Postdoc: A postdoctoral scholar (“postdoc”) is an individual who has received a doctoral degree (or equivalent) and is engaged in a temporary and defined period of mentored advanced training to enhance the professional skills and research independence needed to pursue his or her chosen career path.