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Former IPSTP students progressed to a wide range of scientific careers including academia, industry, and government positions. With their permission our past trainees are connected to current students to serve as a resource and potential contact for future employment or internships. MSU was awarded an NIH-BEST grant to enhance scientific training (see the MSU BEST website for more information), which the IPSTP uses to inform our students about the pharmacological science workforce environment. Our career development activities are designed to prepare and support students as they transition to the job market, whether they choose to move to industry, academia, government or another career path.
On entering the IPSTP all students will be required to complete an individualized development plan (IDP) using the myIDP website. After completing their IDP, each student will meet with their mentor and one of the IPSTP Directors to discuss their plans and identify programs to enhance their career development. This process is repeated annually to ensure IPSTP students and their IDPs align with their career trajectory. Students are also encouraged to use their IDP during their annual dissertation advisory committee meetings.
The professional development aspect of the IPSTP takes two forms: online courses and interactive workshops. Students participate in one online asynchronous professional development course, to minimize disruption to research time and productivity. Current offerings are as follows:
IPSTP Students engage in a rotating series of four professional development activities during the spring semester of each year:
The mentoring workshop uses the Entering Mentoring curriculum from CIMER, focusing on effective mentoring of undergraduate students. The scientific writing workshop will utilize the American Physiological Society's program on Writing and Reviewing for Scientific Journals. The workshop on Effective Presentations will utilize the book Scientists Must Speak, and focuses not only on improving presentations skills but also on improving the quality of visual aids used. Finally, the program on Enhancing Rigor and Reproducibility employs the Society for Neuroscience's Rigor and Reproducibility Webinar Series, which IPSTP students watch together before engaging in guided discussion.
The IPSTP organizes an annual field trip to highlight non-academic career opportunities in Pharmacological Sciences. All IPSTP Students are encouraged to attend, even if they plan on an academic career. Locations are chosen by IPSTP students and can include local biotech companies, the Detroit Patent Office, etc. Past field trips include Eli Lilly and Covance.
Most IPSTP associated departments have substantial undergraduate teaching activities with which IPSTP Students are able to assist. MSU also offers a Certification in Teaching College Science and Mathematics tailored to graduate students interested in undergraduate teaching careers. IPSTP students also have a unique opportunity to participate in synchronous and asynchronous online teaching: The Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology Online Masters Programs in Pharmacology and Toxicology and Integrative Pharmacology. IPSTP students can work with the Instructors of our online courses to moderate online discussion groups and prepare new online teaching materials as their skills progress.
Since IPSTP Students continue to engage in all IPSTP activities until they complete their doctorate, IPSTP Students gain significant leadership experience as peer mentors for new IPSTP Students. Similarly, IPSTP Students are included on the Executive Committee and they lead the annual retreat. The Graduate School at MSU also has a Leadership Institute that hosts several events to build leadership skills, which IPSTP Students are encouraged to apply for and attend.