title: Works-in-progress: guiding junior scientists through career development applications.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Career development awards are important to the professional careers of many junior scientists. Designed to launch researchers as independent scientists earlier in their careers, such grants release them from full schedules of teaching and clinical service, protecting their time for research and publishing. Yet few know how best to embark on this crucial endeavor.
  
  
  METHODS
  We pilot tested a faculty-facilitated, biweekly working group for postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty preparing career development applications. Based on their needs and interests, sessions included didactic activities, structured panel discussions, identification of resources, and individual guidance. For those unable to attend regularly, e-mail kept them informed of information shared and lessons learned, as summarized by participants on a rotating basis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although success in terms of funded applications is yet unknown, preliminary evaluation suggests high satisfaction among the participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultimately, if successful, a low-cost, easy-to-administer working group approach such as this can add great value to any training program.
authors: Department of Epidemiology, Division of Cancer Prevention & Population Sciences, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77230-1439, USA. ShineChang@MDAnderson.org
authors: Shine
authors: S
authors: Chang
authors: Daniel C
authors: DC
authors: Hughes
authors: Robert M
authors: RM
authors: Chamberlain
mesh_terms: D002322:Career Mobility; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D012108:Research Personnel / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012109:Research Support as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013192:Staff Development