Professional Development Committee

(Ad hoc)

Composition and Tenure

The Professional Development Committee shall be comprised of six (6) current ASHG members. At least four members of this committee must hold “Trainee” membership status at any given time. One member of the Board of Directors and the ASHG Director of Education will serve as ex-officio members of the committee without the ability to vote. Each member of the committee will serve a term of no longer than three (3) years. All members must be approved of by the ASHG Board of Directors.

Mandate

The Professional Development Committee shall recommend, and upon approval by the Board of Directors carry out, activities concerned with the training and career development of ASHG members, with a special focus on those with “Trainee” status. This committee will serve as a liaison between these early-stage geneticists and the ASHG Board of Directors. This committee shall be especially concerned with issues specifically facing postdoctoral fellows and those transitioning into their first independent positions.
 

Charge of Committee

Keeping with the mandate above, the charges of this committee are to 1) develop and update outreach material related to career opportunities in human genetics including but not limited to information available via the ASHG website, 2) organize informational symposia or workshops on careers in human genetics to encourage students at all levels and postdoctoral trainees, specifically including students and trainees from underrepresented minority groups, to choose careers in genetics, 3) support and advocate for trainee and junior faculty members of the society in all aspects of their professional and career development, and 4) host at least one meeting each year to be held at the annual meeting with additional correspondence conducted by e-mail and conference call, as needed, throughout the calendar year to address any Professional Development/Trainee related issues.

2008 Committee Members