REBECA by EURAXESS (REsearchers BEyond aCAdemia) is a mentoring programme that aims to facilitate the exploration of career options beyond academia through contact with professionals from the non-academic world. Nearly a hundred of pre- and postdoctoral researchers have participated in the Programme. Before the Programme, only 8% of participating researchers claimed to be aware of career opportunities beyond academia; after the programme, 75% recognised other opportunities outside academia.
The Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) publishes the results of the REBECA (REsearchers BEyond aCAdemia) by EURAXESS mentoring programme for the 2022 edition. REBECA by EURAXESS is an intersectoral mentoring programme that aims to facilitate the exploration of career options beyond academia. For 6 months, 98 pre- and post-doctoral researchers from the disciplines of life sciences (55%), natural sciences and engineering (29%) and social sciences and humanities (16%) have had the opportunity to reflect on their skills, their aspirations and to discover, with their mentors, the professional possibilities that exist beyond the academic career.
The mentors are highly qualified professionals related to the world of science, technology and innovation who work in the private sector in R&D&I (52%), in the public sector (38%), and in non-governmental organisations (6%). The programme also offered training sessions on professional development and networking to make their experience more productive and satisfying. Details of the programme and participants can be found in here REBECA by EURAXESS 2022 RESULTS
At the end of the edition, a satisfaction and impact survey was carried out. This survey evaluates not only the satisfaction of the participants, but also the impact of the programme on key aspects of their professional career management.
MAIN RESULTS
Firstly, there was an increase in mentees' awareness of their career options outside academia. Before the programme, 8% of surveyed mentees reported to be aware of opportunities beyond academia; after the programme, these amount rose to 75%.
Secondly, during the programme mentees are becoming increasingly aware of the added value of their experience as researchers, and of the skills they have acquired during their academic career that can be very useful in other professional fields.
Thirdly, mentees learned to identify their weaknesses and shortcomings in order to work outside the academy. Specifically, 8% responded positively to this question before participating in the programme; after the programme, 67% reported being aware of their weaknesses and shortcomings.
In addition, early-stage researchers participating in REBECA reported an increase, from 3% to 77%, in knowledge of information sources and connections for their intersectoral mobility.
Regarding participants' satisfaction with the programme, mentees and mentors show satisfaction levels of 71% and 81%, respectively. Both groups would recommend the programme to colleagues and both mentees and mentors show an intention to maintain contact with their assigned partner.
In 2023, FECYT will coordinate a new edition of REBECA in the framework of the ERA Talent project. As in the 2022 edition, the programme will match academic researchers with internationally distributed professionals working outside academia. The call for applications will open next autumn. For more information on the programme, visit: REBECA by EURAXESS MENTORING PROGRAMME