Best Practices

Mentors play a critical role in the career development and growth of postdoctoral scholars. As such, please note the following recommendations to:

• Be available and regularly meet with your postdoc on a one-on-one basis;
• Work with your postdoc to develop an Individual Development Plan (IDP) – a tool to help track your postdoc’s progress and goals (see guidelines here). Research goals should align with the postdoc’s career path, with the potential for publications and other opportunities for development;  
• Provide support and guidance in your postdoc’s work, while allowing a degree of autonomy;
• Encourage your postdoc to:
  • Attend orientations, trainings, and workshops offered by OPA, Career Services and the Graduate School (see events here);
  • Present at conferences and/or symposia, and to take advantage of the free memberships through CU Boulder;
  • Explore a variety of career options and make connections, particularly in industry, government, and other non-academic sectors, given the majority of postdocs are not hired into a tenure track position;
  • Strive for a healthy work/life balance and prioritize personal enjoyment and activities by engaging with organizations such as the Postdoctoral Association of Colorado (PAC) Boulder; and
• Remember your postdoc is a trainee with a doctorate and should be respected as such.