Plan your next career step with an IDP
An Individual Development Plan, or IDP, is a tool that helps you reflect on your skills, interests and values, identify career goals and create a plan for professional development.
As a postdoc, you can use an IDP to take a more active role in your training and career planning. Your IDP can also help guide conversations with your faculty mentor, supervisor or other trusted advisors.
Why use an IDP?
An IDP gives you a structured way to think about your goals, expectations and training needs for your career. An IDP can be a helpful communication tool between you and your faculty mentor, supervisor or advising team.
You can use an IDP to:
- Align your professional development goals with your postdoc experience
- Assess your current skills, interests and values
- Talk about career paths you want to explore
- Set short-term and long-term goals
- Identify professional development needs
- Plan training, mentoring, research, teaching or leadership opportunities
- Clarify how your mentor can support your progress
- Track your progress over time
Use your IDP collaboratively to help create a shared plan that supports a stronger mentoring relationship and a more intentional postdoc experience.
IDPs are flexible. Your plan does not need to be perfect or permanent. The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs encourages you to revisit and refine your IDP regularly as your goals, interests and opportunities change.
