Implementing Individual Development Plans (IDPs) Can Improve Students’ Professional Development

Implementing Individual Development Plans (IDPs) Can Improve Students’ Professional Development

What is this Research About?

The study discusses the usefulness of IDPs as tools for helping students’ professional development across disciplines. IDPs are sometimes referred to as portfolios or learning plans. The IDPs in this study were based on existing and publicly available IDPs from Canadian and American post-secondary education sectors. The IDP was led by professors but had a student-centred approach to help graduate students align their academic and extracurricular activities with their career goals. The researchers investigated graduate students’ perceptions on the effectiveness of Individual Development Plans (IDPs) in supporting their professional and career development during their studies. 

What did the Researchers Do?

The study took place over 2 years in a higher education institution, focusing on graduate students enrolled in both thesis-based and course-based master's programs and doctoral programs in science and social science programs. The IDP comprised six structured steps to help students align their academic activities and career goals. These steps included a professional and academic skills assessment, career exploration through identifying job postings and informational interview opportunities, goal-setting, meeting with a mentor to discuss the IDP, recording accomplishments, and a skill and achievement translation component, such as updating or creating a résumé. 

What did the Researchers Find?

The study found that students viewed IDPs as useful resources for participating in professional development activities. Students noted that informational interviews and mentor meetings were the most advantageous IDP components. Students reported a lack of time to participate in IDP activities, trouble establishing connections with mentors, and doubts over the IDP's ability to increase confidence as common obstacles. The researchers found mixed results regarding whether the IDP should be mandatory. Some students viewed the IDP as busy rather than productive work, while other students said that because the IDP was required, they paid particular attention to finishing it. 

→ How to Implement this Research in Your Classroom

The study focused on understanding how students experience and use IDPs to enhance their career readiness and skill development during their graduate studies.  Instructors could enhance their teaching by integrating IDPs into their courses as structured assignments that promote self-assessment, goal-setting, and mentorship. An example of this might be a contribution to learning component where students have dedicated time and resources to engage in career exploration activities—such as planning informational interviews and networking opportunities. With dedicated time to the IDP as a course component, this could help students manage their professional development with academic commitments.  

→  Citation

Arnaud, E., & Cahill, S. (2024). Graduate Student Perceptions of the Effectiveness of Individual Development Plans. Canadian Journal of Higher Education, 54(1), 71–88. https://doi.org/10.47678/cjhe.v54i1.189931 

→  Keywords

  • Individual development plan (IDP)
  • Graduate education
  • Career development 

Creative Commons by logo This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Canada License

Snapshot Writer: Akierah Binns

Snapshot Publication Date: 2025

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