Research Plans

For sessions with the Postdoctoral Teaching Fellows in Communication Arts & Sciences at Penn State (8/28/20, 9/14/18, 12/6/17)

Sample plans (will distribute on paper; please don’t circulate)

Some options

Decide on a period of time in relation to a large end goal, and then work backward (e.g. 1, 3, and/or 5 years).
Determine whether to focus plan on research or include teaching and service as well.
Set goals that are both long and short term; include under each goal concrete tasks (i.e. it’s easy to determine you either completed the task or not).
Note specific deadlines for each task and goal.
Develop monthly, weekly, semester, and “break” plans that are aligned with your 1-, 3-, and/or 5-year plans.
Check off completed tasks and goals on a regularized basis (e.g. end of each month).
Consider sharing plans with an accountability buddy and doing above check-ins together at planned intervals.
Revise goals and tasks as needed along the way.

Additional resources

Why You Need a 5-Year Plan from the Professor Is In