Career development for graduate students in the biological and physical sciences includes understanding yourself, exploring your options, and developing relationships with mentors and other supportive individuals. Also, while the activities of graduate school—from lab skills to grant writing or data analysis—prepare you for your career, many graduate students report feeling unsure of how to translate these skills to their search.  

The resources on this page are designed to help students with the IDP process and to aid faculty in developing programs and courses that support student career decision-making. IDP tools include: 

• Download Iowa Individual Development Plan Form. Suggested form for graduate students in the humanities and arts.
• Book an IDP Workshop. Schedule an IDP workshop for your class, program, or seminar.
• Explore ImaginePhD. A career exploration & planning tool for PhD students & postdocs in the humanities and social sciences.
• Explore myIDP. Individual development plan tools for the biological and physical sciences.
• Explore ChemIDP. Individual development plan tools for chemistry and related fields.
• Explore InterSECT. Job simulations to understand careers cross the science career ecosystem.
• Learn about APA.
• Explore NPA. Career and professional resources that are relevant for graduate students as well as postdoctoral fellows