Getting Started

• Step 1: Identifying Career Paths

  Take time to research possible career paths that are of interest to you.

  Look at possibilities in business, industry, government, nonprofit sectors, and academia. Identify at least three possible careers that you would want to work in.  Leave yourself open to careers that you might otherwise not have thought to pursue. 

  Ask yourself:

  • "What are my long and short term goals?"
  • "What would a sustainable career path look like?"
  • "What required skills do I need to develop or cultivate?"
  
• Step 2: Self-Assessment

  In this section, you will gauge your skills and competencies by completing a self-assessment. This activity is intended to help you monitor competencies you already possess, and identify areas that need further development. What skills do you possess and how can you best articulate them? What skills are emphasized in your careers of interest? Note the activities and actions you can build into your timeline to develop your skills.

  The Seven Competencies (As outlined in the IDP)

  • Creativity
  • Communication
  • Confidence
  • Scholarship
  • Ethical Responsibility
  • Critical Thinking
  • Collaboration
• Step 3: Timelines

  Develop a time line needed for completing your academic program, including academic milestones and career goals.

  Include plans for how you can tailor your program or fellowship to develop your skills and competencies. How much time will you allocate to professional development? How will you obtain skills that need further development. A blank template for a program timeline is provided in the FGSR handout.

  Example:

  Academic Requirements: Year 1 - Course work, ethics, research proposal, data collection, annual committee meeting
  
  Professional Development: Year 1 - Start LinkedIn profile, attend PD Week sessions, identify career paths, start building network

• Step 4: Guidance

  Meet with a mentor(s) who can speak to your academic program goals, timelines and how to maximize your graduate program or fellowship. Discuss skills you wish to develop. Your mentor(s) can also alert you to professional development opportunities applicable to your interests and help assess whether you have a realistic timeline and if you've allocated sufficient time for professional development.

• Step 5: Evaluate
  Revisit your IDP annually. Evaluate whether you’re on track with your academic and career goals. What is working well and what needs to change? What skills do you still need or want to pursue? As you answer these questions, determine any adjustments required, and confer with your mentor(s) as needed.
• Step 6: Completion
  The Individual Development Plan must be completed within the first 12-18 months of your program (Master's and PhD). Professional development hours must be completed by defense (Master's) and by year three (PhD). At the end of your program, ensure that you have completed the Individual Development Plan & Professional Development Completion Form and submitted it to your department/faculty in order to convocate. Please confirm with your department/faculty if they have a different department/faculty specific form.