KreativKolors/shutterstock.com
The Rheumatology Research Workshop (RRW), a two-day meeting designed to promote interactions between early and established investigators to foster collaboration and facilitate career mentoring, was held this year on June 24–25 in Atlanta. Each year, the workshop includes scientific lectures, elevator pitch presentations, poster sessions and scheduled time for interaction with senior investigators to exchange ideas with trainees and other early career investigators.
This year, the Early Career Investigators (ECI) Subcommittee developed a series of sessions centered on career development, mentoring and navigating the grant writing process. The sessions were well received by the program participants, the majority of whom stated that the workshop adequately addressed strategies for career development and mentoring.
Ranked as one of the most valuable activities at the RRW, the Abstract Discussion Groups session provides participants the opportunity to practice their elevator or science pitch. Presentations are given before a small group of RRW participants and faculty, after which feedback is provided from the group to help improve this difficult-to-master but valuable skill. This session helps to improve one’s ability to clearly present a poster, facilitates the development of potential collaborators at conferences, and promotes research work in an informal setting.