The path from trainee to faculty is hardly ever straight but has many twists and turns that are impossible to predict and plan for. These unplanned deviations add challenges we don’t expect, experiences that help us grow, and naturally lead to the evolution of long-term research and career goals as objectives are adapted and refined. While it’s not always possible to know every turn, a detailed 5-year plan will help outline the critical phases and give you the tools and framework to sustain the challenges ahead.
Why is having a 5-year plan important?
By setting long-term goals, you can strategically map back yearly, monthly, and weekly milestones for efficient and effective progress.  Studies have shown the immense value of setting clear research agendas. A survey of over 8,000 postdocs revealed that those who reviewed a written research plan with advisors were much more productive than those who did not. Compared to their counterparts without a plan, they submitted 23% more manuscripts, had 30% more first author publications, and submitted 25% more grant proposals.
Getting Started
The best time to develop a 5-year plan is now. So, wherever you are in your career path, you will benefit from time set aside to outline discrete goals, objectives, and action items that will help propel you forward.
Once you’ve blocked out time to focus, you will want to prioritize several key elements, outline notable timelines, and identify critical milestones that will provide a scaffolding for the rest of the 5-year plan. Be sure to pair long-term aspirations and actionable short-term milestones with concrete methods to monitor your progress.
After your 5-year plan is written, seek feedback from trusted mentors, discuss challenges and utilize their insights to make revisions. Regular check-ins with yourself and a mentor are key to reassessing your goals, to maintaining alignment, and to plan for future pitfalls. The 5-year plan should be a dynamic document, regularly revisited and revised. Importantly, natural phases in a career path will necessitate adjustments to the plan and should prompt a review of your objectives.
Residency
As a research resident you may prioritize academic productivity, educational advancement, professional networking, and alignment with mentor goals. From these key elements, you may develop goals related to project completion, presentation and publication, grant development and submission, professional networking, and educational and leadership opportunities. All of this will layer onto the 5-year timeline with critical milestones included. Before drafting your 5-year plan, you should consider potential fellowship opportunities and research potential academic targets and goals.
New Faculty/Job Search
The transition from fellowship to your first faculty position requires adeptly illustrating how acquired skills and experience translate into valuable assets for your desired career path. You will want to craft a compelling narrative that bridges your diverse experiences and accomplishments to a promising future in your chosen specialty. This will require highlighting any supplemental education, unique training, or additional degrees. Your 5-year plan will encompass and build upon these experiences to serve several strategic purposes while you interview for jobs. It will:
- Frame resource needs by clearly articulating your goals and the resources necessary to achieve them which will facilitate potential negotiations.
- Demonstrate institutional knowledge by identifying potential mentors, conferences, educational opportunities, and local funding mechanisms.
- Signal your self-directedness, future-orientation, and commitment to professional development and demonstrate proactive planning.
Junior Faculty
Entering the exciting yet demanding early career years requires strategic planning and thoughtful goal setting that ensures alignment with your personal aspirations and the institutional promotion criteria. Your 5-year plan now expands its scope to encompass the multifaceted nature of a junior faculty career including clinical activities, research endeavors, educational contributions, and administrative and service roles. Some key considerations might include:
- How will you direct patient care, incorporate clinical teaching, initiate quality improvement initiatives, and develop programs?
- What is your plan to conduct impactful research, publish high-quality papers, secure funding, and mentor trainees?
- Will you develop innovative teaching methods, lecture medical students or residents, or participate in curriculum development?
- How can you contribute to departmental, institutional, and national committees that align with your interests?
Key Points
- Start Today: Regardless of your career stage, begin crafting your 5-year plan now.
- Seek Clarity: Define clear goals for each area of your academic life.
- Embrace Mentorship: Utilize the invaluable guidance of mentors and colleagues.
- Stay Agile: Regularly review and adapt your plan to ensure alignment with your aspirations and the institutional landscape.
No matter your career phase, a well-defined 5-year plan serves as a compass when navigating future unknowns. If properly aligned with your goals and values, it should be a reminder of your aspirations and purpose for your work. Whether you’re a research resident meticulously laying the groundwork for future success, a transitioning fellow preparing for the job market, or a newly minted junior faculty member navigating the early career hurdles, a well-crafted 5-year plan is your most valuable asset in paving the way for a fulfilling and successful journey in the years to come.
Madeline Higgins