Start at the Beginning Setting goals, IDPs, and talking to your - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

The University of Kansas Medical Center Office of Postdoctoral Affairs & Graduate Studies

Start at the Beginning Setting goals, IDPs, and talking to your mentor

Ashley Carlson, Assistant Director Matt Falk, Senior Coordinator

The PhD Career Landscape

What’s the fuss and why all this planning?

The changing biomed enterprise…

• More doctoral degrees are being granted
• Fewer tenure-track research faculty positions are available
• More biomed trainees are entering into other positions
• Institutions have to prepare trainees for this diverse market and more
• pportunities

A closer look

• Number of tenured or tenure-track faculty has decreased
• Number of non-tenure faculty has remained steady
• Government and industry are largely steady
• Growth has been primarily science related non-research positions
• Unemployment remains low for biomed PhDs

A New Training Model

• NIH BEST encourages career exploration and transferrable skill

development

• Professional skill building- team work, time management, leadership
• The Job Search- resumes & CVs, interviewing, negotiating
• Exploration and Experiential Learning- panels, informational

interviews, shadowing, externships

Introduction to ASCEND

Meet our new program!

Workshop Series

• Self-assessment
• Career speed dating
• Job search and professional networking
• Applying
• CV & resume writing
• Interview skills
• Negotiating and accepting

Experiential Learning Placement

• Application – Opens in November
• Selection process
• Contract
• Funding
• Afterwards

Individual Development Plans

How to use an IDP for success now and for future planning

Why IDP?

• An IDP is a tool for setting goals and tracking progress
• Research shows postdocs who use an IDP publish more and are more

satisfied with their careers

• IDP has same effect on well-being as a $20,000 raise!
• Agencies like NIH and NSF have emphasized IDPs as they focus on

quality mentoring of trainees

IDP Models: APA

• Self Assessment
• Identify interests and motivation, evaluate performance
• Explore
• Learn about your options and identify what interests you
• Examine
• Compare options, determine areas that are missing or need development
• Set Goals
• Plan to improve and build skills
• Implement your plan

IDP Models: FASEB

For Trainee

• 1. Self Assessment
• 2. Survey Opportunities with

mentor

• 3. Write and IDP, review with

mentor and revise

• 4. Implement plan and revise as

needed

For Mentor

• 1. Become familiar with
• pportunities
• 2. Discuss opportunities with

trainee

• 3. Review IDP and help revise
• 4. Establish regular review

process

IDP Models: AAAS myIDP

IDP Best Practices

• Establish IDP within 2-3 months of beginning training/new role
• Review with your mentor
• Revisit on a regular basis- such as quarterly
• Own it!
• Set intentions- short, mid, and long term goals
• Talk to your mentor- open and direct

Setting Goals

Get SMART about setting goals

Setting Goals

• Identify goals through
• Self-assessment
• Exploration
• Vision of your future
• Consider starting with long term goals, then identify interim goals to

get you there

• 3 common areas for career related goals
• Advancement- exploring options, making connections
• Skill Development- learning new skills and developing abilities
• Projects- completing specific tasks

SMART Goals

S

Specific

1

M

Measurable

2

A

Action Oriented

3

R

Realistic

4

T

Time-bound

5

SMART Goals: Specific

• Define your goal very clearly
• Focus in on details, avoid ambiguity
• Try answering the 5 W’s:
• Who- who’s involved?
• What- what do you want to accomplish?
• When- when will you do this, when is it complete?
• Where- where will this be done?
• Why- why are you doing this?

S

Specific

1

SMART Goals: Measurable

• Make it possible to track progress and know when

you have achieved the goal

• Define how much, how many, or what other factors

will indicate success

• Consider how you will evaluate progress

S

Specific

1

M

Measurable

2

SMART Goals: Action Oriented

• Define what steps you will take to complete the goal
• Be specific and clear
• Break big tasks down

S

Specific

1

A

Action Oriented

3

SMART Goals: Realistic

• Consider the challenges and obstacles
• Allow enough time and resources
• Recognize when a goal is not attainable within these

confines

S

Specific

1

R

Realistic

4

SMART Goals: Time-bound

• Set a deadline!
• Also set a start date
• Consider setting incremental check-in points with

yourself or a mentor to stay accountable and on track

S

Specific

1

T

Time-bound

5

SMART Goals

S

Specific

1

M

Measurable

2

A

Action Oriented

3

R

Realistic

4

T

Time-bound

5

Tips for Achieving Goals

• Write it down
• Your IDP is a great tool for this
• Use a calendar or app
• When developing a new skill: train, practice, get feedback
• Create a timeline for all your goals

Conversations

Sometimes they’re difficult

Difficult Conversation Protocol- Before

• Preparation
• Documentation
• Discuss before acting
• Implication
• Direct

Difficult Conversation Protocol- During

• Introduction
• Motive
• Description
• Impact
• Feedback
• Agreement
• Request
• Thank you

Difficult Conversation Protocol- After

• Documentation
• Research
• Meet again

Recap

IDPs

• Variety of models to meet your needs
• Most include
• Self assessment
• Goal setting
• Good communication with your mentor
• Revisit it often

SMART Goals

• Specific
• Measurable
• Action Oriented
• Realistic
• Time-bound

Difficult Conversation Protocol

• Before
• During
• After

ASCEND is here to help!

• One-track model of career planning no longer serves the success or

potential of trainees

• ASCEND offers comprehensive workshops
• Includes experiential learning component for grad students
• Save the date: September 12th- Self Assessments
• Help us help you: Online survey, link on the ASCEND website

Questions?

Thank you!

Contact Ashley Carlson at acarlson5@kumc.edu with questions or for further help Visit tinyurl.com/KUMCASCEND for upcoming dates and more information Save the date: September 13th- Self Assessment Tools