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BE GG Individual Development Form:             Setting goals and taking stock of your accomplishments are essential to meaningful progress in both scientific training and professional development. An important tool toward this end is the Individual Development Plan (IDP). The IDP is intended to help you: i) design, monitor, and measure progress in training, ii) articulate short- and long-term goals, and iii) identify relevant developmental activities. Your advisor, or your advisory committee, is an invaluable resource in this process, providing feedback and helping you to generate an action plan.
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How to complete your IDP
1. Step back and assess: It is easy to lose sight of the big picture. An IDP is designed to provide perspective--perspective on your progress as a researcher, on your general development, and your goals. The more thought given the IDP, the greater the return, so be sure to give sufficient time and reflection to the process.

2. Set your annual meeting with your advisor(s). You are responsible for scheduling an annual IDP meeting with your advisor and your thesis/mentoring committee. Be sure to make available the IDP form, completed but for the 'Action Plan' before your advisor meeting.

3. Lead the discussion. Discuss the IDP with your advisor and/or thesis/mentoring committee. Taking the lead in this discussion, as with all things critical to your success is, crucial.

4. Complete the Action Plan and make a plan for following-up. The last page of the IDP encourages you to establish concrete steps moving forward. Please complete this page with the help of your advisor and committee during or after the discussion. Refer to it frequently in the following year.

5. IDP completed and reviewed. Your IDP has to be completed each year: by the time of your mentoring committee or thesis committee.
Name *
Email Address *
Advisor *
Date *
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OBJECTIVES RELEVANT TO COURSEWORK AND LABORATORY ROTATIONS
This section of the IDP focuses on your objectives as they relate to coursework and laboratory rotations in the first year. Its primary intent is to help guide you in articulating your goals and aligning them with your training as you begin the transition into thesis work.
What courses, if any, did you take? What was your rationale in choosing them? Do you have any concerns regarding your performance?
What courses, if any, do you plan for the upcoming year? Have your goals remained the same, or have they changed?
If you are a first-year student what laboratory rotations did you take your first year? Do you have any concerns regarding your performance?
Is there anything your advisor, advisory committee, and/or other mentors can do differently to help?
The attainment of skills relevant to scientific inquiry is at the heart of PhD training and is central to the pursuit of career opportunities following graduation. Use this worksheet to rank your skills from weak (1) to strong (3) as you currently perceive them relative to those you think a student at your level should have; leave blank if not applicable. Mark as well any skills you wish to "target" for improvement over the next year.
RESEARCH SKILLS & SCIENTIFIC THINKING
1
2
3
target
Broad-based knowledge of science
Knowledge of current discipline
Critical reading of scientific literature
Experimental design
Basic bench skills
Interpretation of data
Computational analysis
Statistical analysis
Troubleshooting
Data management
Creativity and innovation
Initiative/independence
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
1
2
3
target
Planning
Breaking down complex tasks
Time management
Managing data and resources
MENTORING/TEACHING
1
2
3
target
Delegating; providing instruction
Providing constructive feedback
Setting expectations for others
PROFESSIONALISM
1
2
3
target
Identifying and seeking advice
Upholding commitments/deadlines
Networking/collaborations
Dealing with conflict
Lab citizenship
Work ethic
WRITING
1
2
3
target
Grammar/structure
Clarity/precision/intent
*For a research proposal
*For a scientific publication
ORAL COMMUNICATION
1
2
3
target
One-on-one
Lab meetings
English fluency
Personal Growth
1
2
3
target
I am personally engaged with my scientific interests
My advisor and I agree that I am putting in enough effort to achieve my scientific goals
I am taking the steps needed to ensure my own well-being
I have spent time developing my own career plans (as appropriate for career stage)
The skills and traits cultivated in predoctoral training in the engineering sciences are valued in a wide variety of careers. The IDP gives you a chance to begin collecting your thoughts in this regard. Note that Penn’s Career Services provides a variety of resources on careers and professional development relevant to engineering PhDs.
What do you see as your long-term goals at this point in time, whether general or specific?
What factors inform these goals (e.g. skills, interests, values, colleagues, current activities)?
Are there short-term activities or objectives that might help in pursuing or better framing these goals?
Do you yet have interests in any specific types of careers, whether in or apart from academic research?
Is there anything additional you might need in the way of support or resources to pursue your goals or career interests? IN PARTICULAR, HOW HAS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AFFECTED YOUR PROGRESS? What personal risks have you taken during Covid to ensure your research progress?
List your involvement or achievements in the following areas over the past year. Describe as well any current plans. Please note that several areas below may not be applicable to you as a 1st-year student. They are included nonetheless for the purposes of complete reporting and consistency with IDPs you’ll see in subsequent years of training.
COURSEWORK/TRAINING (Including journal clubs, RCR training, SRR training, etc.)
PUBLICATIONS
FELLOWSHIPS (Applied for, or awarded)
SEMINARS/CONFERENCES (Attendance, presentations)
TEACHING/MENTORING
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
SERVICE OUTREACH/LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
OTHER
The last section of the IDP – the Action Plan – will be completed by you and your advisor(s) together.
PROJECTED TIMELINE: When do you anticipate proposing/defending your thesis? Have you considered applying for a fellowship?
TARGET SKILLS: What skills did you identify for improvement over the next year?
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES: What are your identified objectives regarding long-term goals or careers, and how might these be pursued in the coming year?
ADDITIONAL ACTIONS: What additional actions that should be initiated by i) you, ii) your advisor(s), and/or iii) other mentors in order to facilitate your success?
FOLLOWING UP: What is the schedule for you and your advisor(s) to meet and follow up on the action plan or other items of your IDP?
OTHER: Are there any items you would like to discuss with your advisor(s) at this time?
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