An Individual Development Plan (IDP) is a tool that can be used to
facilitate communication between students and faculty mentors and
advisors. The Driskill Graduate Program IDP provides space for
students and advisors to record and comment on the student’s career,
research and training goals. Both short- and long-term goals in these
areas should be discussed and indicated, and comments should
address the level of effort and commitment necessary by both parties
to meet these goals.
DGP students will first complete the IDP with their advisor upon
joining a thesis laboratory. The IDP will then be revisited and updated
annually. It is expected that goals and plans in all areas will evolve
over time.
When a student is within 6 to 12 months of finishing the PhD
requirements, the IDP should include comments on the student’s
plans for completion, including submitting any remaining publications,
writing the dissertation and searching for a job.
In order to foster a high level of mentoring, students and advisors
should use the opportunity of completing the IDP to read and discuss
the AAMC Compact Between Biomedical Graduate Students and
Their Research Advisors.
Once the form is completed and signed, please return a copy to the
DGP office by email attachment.
Students are also strongly encouraged to make use of the on-line IDP
made available by Science Careers at:
http://myidp.sciencecareers.org/
INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (IDP)
Driskill Graduate Program in Life Sciences (DGP)
Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University
Name Advisor Date
Career Goals
What are your short- and long-term career goals? What skills and competencies do you need to develop to meet these
goals and how do you plan to do so?
Goals for the upcoming year
Long Term Goals and Plans
Mentor/Advisor Comments and contributions to meeting career goals
Research Goals
What are your short- and long-term research goals and what will be required to achieve those goals? Include
experimental plans, collaborations, publishing papers, attending conferences, giving oral presentations, etc.
Research goals for the upcoming year
Long Term Research Plans
Mentor/Advisor Comments and contributions to meeting goals
Additional Training Goals
What are your additional training goals and needs, and what are your plans for achieving those goals? This section may
include teaching, writing and communications skills, for example.
Current Goals, Long Term Plans and Comments
Mentor/Advisor Comments and contributions to meeting non-lab goals
Graduate Student Signature Advisor Signature
