Dear Colleagues:
The Endocrine Society continues its strong commitment to preparing future endocrine leaders by creating career development programming that has substantial impact on young professionals pursuing careers in endocrinology. The Society has a trainee membership of nearly 3,000 and provides a strong portfolio of programs aimed at supporting trainees’ work at the cutting edge of research and practice. The portfolio of career development programming has been enhanced by including curricula to address critical issues for junior faculty and mid-career professionals.
Programming for Early- and Mid-Career Professionals at ENDO 2012
ENDO 2012, held in Houston, was highlighted by dynamic programming for young professionals in our field. The 6th Annual Endocrine Trainee Day Workshop, co-sponsored by Women in Endocrinology, hosted more than 230 trainees who attended interactive sessions in clinical and basic science tracks. These sessions were hosted by preeminent leaders in the field and began a series of activities specifically designed to meet the needs of trainees.
The very popular Career Development Workshops featured new sessions this year, including the half-day workshop, “How to Secure Promotion and Tenure for Junior Faculty and Mid-Career Professionals,” and the “Writing a Successful R01 and Other Independent Research Grant Applications: Tips for the Mid-Career Professional” evening session.
Trainee posters were identified for special consideration in the Presidential Poster Competition. Many trainees met with old friends and made new connections at the Trainee Reception and used the Trainee Career Center to continue networking with leaders and one another. A new networking event added this year included the Mentor Connection Breakfast, where volunteer mentors who participate in the Society’s Mentor Exchange were available to meet one-onone with early career professionals seeking advice and mentorship.
2012 Early Investigators Workshop
The Early Investigators Workshop will be held on September 28–29, 2012, in San Francisco. This event will provide an intensive introduction on what it takes to create a successful career in endocrine research for as many as 50 young basic research and clinical trainees. The workshop will offer joint sessions that cover general and translational topics and breakout sessions on topics of specific interest to each track. Session topics will include practical guidance for pursuing NIH funding, how to establish an effective mentor relationship, balancing career and family life, and more. In addition, fellows will receive guidance from Society experts who are on hand to provide constructive feedback on the fellows’ research projects. More details of this workshop are presented in the Trainees and Students section of the Society’s Web site (www.endo-society.org/awards/eiw).
Career Advancement
The Society continues to offer the Mentor Exchange, an online portal for endocrinologists of all experience levels to mentor students, fellows in training, and other members. Society mentors offer a variety of perspectives on the diverse opportunities an endocrinology career affords. More than 110 members have volunteered to be mentors and are available to connect with early-career professionals. Details on becoming a mentor or finding a mentor are on the Mentor Exchange section of the Society’s Web site at www.endo-society.org/mentor. You may also find great tips and career advice on the revamped EndoCareers® Web site at www.endocareers.org. Finally, the new EndoGrants CentralTM is a database of funding opportunities of particular interest to the endocrine community. Members may search for grants or post opportunities at www.endo-society.org/awards/EndoGrants/.
In the coming months, the Society will begin the 2013 awards season with calls for applications for the numerous Society awards and travel grants for trainees and early-career professionals. I encourage all those who are eligible to apply.
As you can see, many exciting opportunities exist within The Endocrine Society to promote the development of early-career professionals while building a community where young endocrinologists will thrive.
Most importantly, your opinions and ideas are essential in helping us create quality programming, and I invite you to submit any comments or suggestions to me c/o [email protected].
Sincerely,
William F. Young, Jr., M.D.
President, The Endocrine Society
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