Since the launch of their Action Plan in 2020, the Career Development Committee has made significant strides in engaging professionals at all stages of their genetic and genomics careers. With the goal of generating tools for trainees and early career professionals, the committee has also focused on providing growth and leadership opportunities for all its members.
Anna Miller, PhD
Committee Achievements
The committee’s efforts have resulted in several notable outcomes for ASHG members:
Year-Round Opportunities: Members have access to professional education, training, and career development opportunities throughout the year on the ASHG Learning Center.
Stage-Specific Programming: Career development programming has been tailored to meet the specific needs of members at different career stages and professions. Access these resources in the ASHG Career Center.
Active Involvement from ASHG trainees: Trainees are actively involved in creating and promoting activities that impact their careers, fostering a more engaged and proactive community. These include the Trainee Excellence Spotlight, The Transcript (trainee newsletter), and trainee specific leadership opportunities.
Career Development Events and Initiatives at ASHG 2024
Trainee Reception: This reception gives trainees and early career attendees the opportunity to connect with other attendees in person while having a good time! This relaxed, informal, and interactive networking event will help you meet existing and potential collaborators, make new friends, and foster new connections.- Career Development Panel: How to Set Yourself Apart: During this panel, attendees will hear from three experienced panelists who have knowledge across academia and industry on personal branding, self-advocacy, and making a career transition.
- Career Development Topics: A Networking Event (new!): Attendees will connect with other professionals in small groups at this informal networking event. Discussions will revolve around a range of topics including career transitions, career and leadership skills, building community, careers in genetics, and more.
- Career Hub (new!): The Career Hub is a new initiative offering a dedicated space for career development at the ASHG Annual Meeting. This space will provide a wealth of resources and opportunities including a hiring mixer and half-hour career talks scheduled throughout the meeting where attendees can gain valuable insights from industry leaders and established researchers.
Future Directions
Looking ahead, the committee has outlined several key initiatives to further enhance career development support:
- Peer Mentorship Programming: The development of peer mentorship programs is underway, with a focus on how ASHG can best support these initiatives.
- Sustainability Planning: Efforts are being made to ensure the sustainability of existing ASHG career resources while also developing new career resources for the community.
- Timely Training Opportunities: The committee will continue to develop timely career development training and learning opportunities for members across all career stages.
- Annual Meeting Events: Stakeholder engagement will be a priority in developing new career-focused events for the annual meeting, ensuring these events meet the evolving needs of the community.
Through these initiatives, the Career Development Committee aims to build on its past successes and continue to support the professional growth of ASHG members for years to come.