myIDP-Individual Development Plan from ScienceCareers

myIDP (Individual Development Plan) is a free, interactive online career planning tool hosted by Science Careers and AAAS, specifically tailored to help graduate students and postdocs in the natural, physical, and biomedical sciences map out their professional development.

Who Should Use it:

This resource is essential for master’s students, PhD candidates, and postdoctoral scholars in STEM fields who want to assess their skills, examine career options both within and outside academia, and set structured goals with their faculty advisors.

How to Use it:
  • Complete Self-Assessments: Rate your scientific skills, interests, and personal values to identify personal strengths and areas for growth.
  • Explore STEM Career Pathways: Compare your assessment results against 20 distinct scientific career tracks, ranging from academic tenure-track faculty to industry R&D, patent law, science policy, and medical writing.
  • Establish Goal Timelines: Create actionable 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year SMART goals covering project milestones, skill acquisition, networking, and job search timelines.
  • Structure Advisor Discussions: Print or export your IDP summary to guide productive career planning conversations with your dissertation advisor or research director.
Why it’s Helpful:

Navigating a graduate degree in STEM can leave you wondering what career paths exist beyond the traditional academic tenure track. myIDP takes the guesswork out of your future by matching your unique scientific strengths to real-world STEM careers, helping you set clear, achievable goals so you feel in control of your professional path.

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