Professional Development Resources
The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) strives to enhance, support and promote the postdoctoral experience at NC State University. In doing so, OPA hopes postdocs will realize their potential during their tenure at this university and utilize their postdoctoral appointment as a way to foster their independence as scientists, scholars and researchers. Following are ways in which OPA encourages postdocs to more fully develop their skills, goals and self-awareness during their postdoctoral assignment.
Individual Development Plan
Individual Development Plans (IDPs) provide a way in which postdocs can identify their career goals and professional development needs. Postdocs can also use their IDPs as a communication tool with their mentors which, in turn, will enhance the mentoring process. Postdocs are encouraged to look at the professional development opportunities (see below) offered through OPA and The Graduate School and add these to their IDPs so as to meet their professional development goals.
Postdocs are encouraged to review the assessment tools, templates, and additional resources for creating an IDP hosted: IDP Workshop Resources.
Below are a few templates postdocs and their mentors can use to outline the IDP:
IDP Template 1
IDP Template 2
In addition, check out the my IDP exploration resource through Science Careers to broaden you career horizons. There you can create a free account, examine your skills/interests/values, learn about different scientific career paths, and can build your IDP online to store electronically.
Professional Development Opportunities
OPA provides professional development programs throughout the academic year. The Graduate School, in which OPA is housed, also offers free professional development programs to graduate students and postdocs.
Professional Development Workshops
Postdocs can register for all professional development programs offered by The Graduate School.
The full list of the professional development workshops offered through the Graduate School can be found on our website.
Professional development opportunities, offered through the Graduate School, NC State University, and other universities, corporations, and institutions throughout the Triangle, are updated on a regular basis. We encourage you to check the website often.
Teaching Certificate
The Teaching Certificate provides professional development in the areas of teaching and mentoring. We utilize evidence-based best practices in teaching and learning. Our teaching programs cover an array of topics important for those who wish to pursue a faculty career that involves both formal and informal instruction with students.
Other Resources through NC State University
Distance Education Learning & Technology Application (DELTA)
DELTA holds workshops on instructional technology throughout the academic year for faculty and staff.
Office for Faculty Excellence (OFE)
The Office for Faculty Excellence (OFE) provides resources and facilitates workshops for faculty and staff. Postdocs are able to register to any events that are not restricted to only full or assistant professors.
Resources for Postdocs
Postdocs are encouraged to utilize the resources available to them through the National Postdoctoral Association. The National Postdoctoral Association is a professional association that provides a unique, national voice for postdoctoral scholars. The NPA was founded in 2003, with an ambitious agenda to enhance the quality of the postdoctoral experience.
Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, offers opportunities for postdocs to engage with other scientists through their programs and their magazine, American Scientist. This organization is located in the Research Triangle Park and provides a wide array of resources to scientists and researchers.