Symposium MM

This symposium aims to explore innovative educational and training approaches, offering basic guidance and mentoring to young scientists so that they can make the best use of their talents in today’s highly competitive job market, and to established scientists, seeking to update and advance their career qualifications and horizons. Such outreach strategies are essential for maintaining robust links between materials research and society at large.

This symposium highlights the idea that career success requires special ‘soft professional skills’, (such as communication skills, professional development, and choosing the right career path) that go beyond purely scientific knowledge. These skills are especially important for materials scientists in the first few years of their career. The symposium offers a platform for exchanging ideas, and sharing best practices pertaining to planning a career, applying for jobs, publishing and communicating scientific results, and establishing outreach programs to engage society at large.

We welcome descriptions of models for tutoring on practical topics such as

• How to write/organize Curriculum Vitae,
• The role of scientific meetings and networking,
• The role of ethics in modern science
• Improving presentational clarity
• Effective content of scientific communications.

Presentations may include:

• Programs Conducted: Structure, Goals, Assessment Results, Future Plans
• Personal Perspectives, Opinions and Recommendations
• Panel Discussions: e.g. Is mentoring needed by all students?
• How formal/informal should mentoring structure be?