Bethesda, MD – The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), AAAS, and Science Careers have released myIDP, the first and only online tool to help scientists prepare their very own individual development plan. Created with support from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, myIDP helps graduate students and postdocs in the sciences develop a step-by-step plan for reaching their career goals.
FASEB recognizes the challenges that early career scientists face, particularly in the current economic environment. "The tools and resources provided through myIDP will be valuable to all research trainees, whether they are pursuing a tenure track position in academia, a research career in industry, or one of the many other career paths for which scientists are well-suited," said FASEB President Judith S. Bond, PhD.
This new online tool provides trainees with exercises to guide them through the process of assessing their career skills, interests, and values; an extensive list of resources for each of 20 common scientific career paths; and guidance on exploring career options and setting professional development goals. The application also allows users to sign up for automated reminders to help them meet their goal deadlines.
FASEB is proud to have played a role in developing this important resource. "As a community, we must do more to help our trainees prepare for a broader range of scientific careers," said Bond. "It is our hope that training institutions and faculty advisors will encourage their graduate students and postdocs to use myIDP and that it will help trainees communicate with their mentors about their career plans."
Philip S. Clifford, PhD (MCW), Cynthia N. Fuhrmann, PhD (formerly of UCSF and now at University of Massachusetts Medical School), Jennifer A. Hobin, PhD (FASEB), and Bill Lindstaedt, MS (UCSF) coauthored myIDP. The website architecture was developed by the AAAS Information Technology team. To access myIDP, please visit http://myidp.sciencecareers.org.
FASEB is composed of 26 societies with more than 100,000 members, making it the largest coalition of biomedical research associations in the United States. Celebrating 100 Years of Advancing the Life Sciences in 2012, FASEB is rededicating its efforts to advance health and well-being by promoting progress and education in biological and biomedical sciences through service to our member societies and collaborative advocacy.