Suggested Goals for your Individual Development Plan

Use the My Plan tool at imaginephd.com to create an individual development plan that contains your self-defined goals and
establishes a timeline to achieve them. Goals that are “SMART” - Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-based are
more likely to happen. Consider the following suggested goals when creating your plan.

Degree Completion Goals Skill Development Goals

Advisor Determined Conference Planning Committee
Committee Formed Design Survey
Coursework Complete Design Syllabus
Cross-Disciplinary Courses Completed Facilitate Discussion
Dissertation Defense Find resources on campus to learn or strengthen skill
Dissertation Fellowship Application Due Guest Lecture in another course
External Committee Members confirmed Have faculty observe teaching
Fellowship Applications Due Lead lecture
Language Requirements Completed Lead Workshop or Program on Campus
Plan for Dissertation completion Leadership Opportunity
Prospectus Submitted Learn about negotiation
Qualifying Exams Learn Excel
Research Methods Complete Learn HTML
Review Program Requirements/Milestones Practice interviewing
Teaching Requirements Completed Practice job talk
Practice talking about transferable skills
Pursue “Instructor of Record” teaching opportunities
Serve on a Committee
Career Development Goals Work on a team to solve a problem
Work on Campus
Conduct Informational Interview
Write Assessment Questions
Create LinkedIn Profile
Write Fellowship Application
Update LinkedIn Profile
Write or co-write Grant Proposal
Update Resume and CV Simultaneously
Networking Event: Name/Date/Title
Join Professional Society
Attend Conference Personal Development Goals
Do an Internship
Publish a Paper Physical Wellbeing: Exercise, Eat, Sleep
Review papers for a conference/journal Financial Wellbeing: Balance Budget, Pursue Additional Funding,
Present at a Conference Manage Debt
Edit a Journal Social Wellbeing activity
Attend career panels, talks and presentations across campus Identify top priorities that inform career decisions
Keep in touch with contacts from undergraduate institution
Keep in touch with contacts from past jobs or volunteer opportunities
Let network contacts know you are looking for a job
Attend job talks in your field
Money / Funding Goals
Create a Teaching Portfolio
Develop financial strategy
Update Teaching Portfolio
Dissertation Fellowship Application Due
Explore positions or postdocs of area of interest
Explore possible internal and external grants/fellowships
Keep references/recommenders informed of your progress
Identify student loan repayment or deferment options
Identify new mentors as needed for career goal

www.imaginephd.com