As researchers at Berkeley Lab progress through their careers, new skills are required. Early career researchers can take part in a number of programs offered by the Career Pathways Office. Now, the Career Pathways is launching new career development support for mid-career scientists and engineers.
Following discussions with leadership, in FY25, the Career Pathways Director Meg Rodriguez and Career Development Program Manager Linda Louie conducted a needs assessment exercise. Results suggested that mid-career scientists and engineers have career development needs and preferences that are distinct from those of their early-career counterparts. Some of the skills that emerged as critical to mid-career success included securing funding, managing teams, managing larger projects, and understanding how their work fit into Division, Area, and DOE priorities and strategies, for example. One-on-one consultations on career goals and transitions, now being piloted, is an example of a career development resource for mid-career staff that emerged from the needs assessment.
There were other considerations that Career Pathways had to take into account, including how to define “mid-career.”
“Mid-career scientists and engineers are a wide range of people,” said Linda. “We found that ‘mid-career’ can span 20 years or more. For many people, it covers most of their time at the Lab. This includes those who are just emerging as recognized experts, as well as many who are highly-recognized nationally or internationally in their field. Some hold formal leadership roles at the Lab at the mid-career stage, while others lead informally here but hold formal leadership positions elsewhere, such as in their professional associations.”
Mid-Career Advisory Board
To ensure that the program meets the needs of this broad group, Career Pathways wanted to ensure it was designed by the Lab’s mid-career scientists and engineers. An advisory board, with representatives from each Area, provides input on how best to support mid-career scientists. One of the advisory board members’ first tasks is to conduct outreach and collect feedback, and eventually develop recommendations about career development and retention for mid-career scientists and engineers.
Advisory board members are also providing other support, such as hosting events. For example, Stefan Minasian, one of the advisory board members, recently led a discussion on partnering effectively with Operations on short turnaround funding calls.
Recognizing Mid-Career Scientists’ Contributions
One other theme that emerged from conversations is the importance of recognizing mid-career scientists. To that end, this year, for the first time, the Berkeley Lab Director’s Award includes a category called “Mid-Career Leadership.” The award “recognizes the vital role mid-career employees play in how the Lab does team science and honors individuals in science and operations whose evolving contributions have opened up significant new directions that others now build upon.”
“The Mid-Career Leadership Award is an important way for the Lab to recognize the evolving contributions of mid-career staff,” said Career Pathways Director Meg Rodriguez. “We are excited to receive and review nominations from across the Lab; we encourage all staff to consider nominating their colleagues for the award.”
Details about the award and the nomination form can be found on the Director’s Award website.
For more information:
Join the Career Pathways Office’s mid-career listserv.
Explore the Career Pathways Office’s website for mid-career scientists and engineers.
