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IDP Resources and SMART Goals

Two online tools are recommended to support your planning. Choose the tool that best fits your discipline, or complete both if that will deepen your reflection.

myIDP

myIDP is a self-guided career planning tool designed primarily for STEM graduate students and researchers.

  • Assess skills, interests, and values
  • Explore scientific career pathways
  • Set strategic goals and reminders
  • Use articles and planning resources to guide reflection

Plan on 30 to 60 minutes to complete the assessment and review your results.

ImaginePhD

ImaginePhD is a self-guided career planning tool designed for humanities and social science students.

  • Assess career-relevant skills, interests, and values
  • Explore pathways connected to your discipline
  • Create short-, medium-, and long-term goals
  • Map next steps for professional growth

Plan on 30 to 60 minutes to complete the assessment and reflect on the results.

Complete Your IDP

Follow the steps below to complete your plan and prepare your materials for submission.

  1. Complete one or both of the IDP tools
  2. Rename your file using this format: LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_TOOLNAME
  3. Prepare your IDP PDF for upload
  4. After completing your IDP self-assessment, save the file as a PDF. You will need to submit it with your SMART goals before completing this requirement
Open myIDP Open ImaginePhD

Discover and Define Your Desired Outcomes by Creating SMART Goals

An IDP is a strategic planning documnet that helps you connect long-term ambitions to practical short-term steps in research, academics, and career development. SMART goals facilitate that connection.

SMART goals should be:

  1. Specific
  2. Measurable
  3. Achievable
  4. Relevant
  5. Time-based

To learn how to identify long-term goals and translate them into realistic short-term action steps, refer to the SMART Goal Examples page.

Prepare Your Materials for Submission

  • In a program of your choice, write three SMART goals: one short-term, one mid-term, and one long-term goal
  • Rename your file using this format: LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_SMARTGOALS
  • Prepare your SMART goals for upload
  • After completing your SMART Goals, save the file as a PDF. You will need to submit it with your goals IDP completing this requirement

Continue to: Submit Your IDP