The use of Individual Development Plans (IDPs) have been widely promoted to support graduate student professional development. IDPs are structured frameworks to consider short-term and long-term career plans, laying a foundation for meaningful goal-setting.   This workshop will introduce trainees to knowledge and skills to inform IDP discussions.  It is open to all trainees, including master's and doctoral students.

Students who complete IDPs may find it helpful to discuss these with advisors or peers.  Strategies to improve these discussions have previously been described in a Harvard-based publication: Yearly Planning Meetings: Individual Development Plans Aren't Just More Paperwork.    This workshop will walk through this helpful advice.  Through this discussion, students will learn (a) the goals and benefits of properly completing and effectively discussing a student IDP, (b) the factors that should be considered as part of an IDP, and (c) strategies for preparing, executing and following up on an IDP discussion.

*Prior to the session please read the paper!