The ASPET Mentoring Network: Enhancing Diversity and Inclusion through Career Coaching Groups within a Scientific...

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
• STEM Workforce Development
• Career Coaching

Background:

• Two key priorities in STEM training are broadening career awareness beyond academia and increasing workforce diversity.
• Previous research indicates that structured career coaching groups effectively support these goals.
• This study builds upon prior work by developing a more sustainable coaching model within a professional scientific society context.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and evaluate a sustainable career coaching model for PhD students and postdocs within the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET).
• To assess the feasibility and impact of the ASPET Mentoring Network on career development and diversity in STEM.
• To provide evidence for the benefits of integrating career coaching into professional scientific societies.

Main Methods:

• A new career coaching model, the ASPET Mentoring Network, was established.
• PhD students and postdocs were grouped and assigned to professional ASPET members (coaches).
• Coaching groups met initially at the annual meeting and then virtually for one year, with data collected from 2016-2018.

Main Results:

• Evaluation data from surveys and interviews with three cohorts (12 groups) provided strong evidence of benefits.
• The network demonstrated perceived and real advantages for participants' career progression.
• The model proved feasible and was linked to career success for young scientists.

Conclusions:

• The ASPET Mentoring Network offers a sustainable and effective model for career coaching in STEM.
• Integrating career coaching within scientific societies enhances career diversity and access to non-academic roles.
• The program's success is attributed to its alignment with scientific identity and shared aspirations among peers and coaches.