Individual Development Plans, Mentoring Support, and Career Preparedness Among PhD Trainees in the Life Sciences

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 8
  In Roundtable Session: Mentoring for Higher Education Students (Table 10)

Abstract

As greater career development support for Ph.D. trainees has been emphasized, the Individual Development Plan (IDP) has become a recommended mentoring tool. However, little is known about the effect of IDPs on mentoring and career development. This study examined the interrelationships among the use of IDPs, mentoring support, and career preparedness with a diverse sample of doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers in the life sciences. The findings indicated 1) using the IDP could enhance mentoring support and career preparedness; 2) greater mentoring support and career preparedness would motivate mentees to continue utilizing the IDP with their PI or advisor; and 3) females, postdoctoral researchers, and international scholars might need more support throughout the mentoring and career development process.

Authors

• Chi-Ning Chang, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Clinton Patterson, Texas A&M University

• Nathan Vanderford, University of Kentucky

• Teresa Marie Evans, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio