The latest edition of the REsearchers BEyond aCAdemia (REBECA) by EURAXESS 2023-2024mentoring programme has delivered again remarkable results, paving the way for early-career researchers to explore diverse professional opportunities beyond academia.
Organized by Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) and within Researchers Careers Beyond Academia Hub, REBECA pairs early-career researchers with experienced R&D&I related professionals from different sectors, providing them with insights and guidance on how to transition successfully into roles outside the academic research career sphere. The programme addresses critical gaps in awareness, skills, and confidence among researchers navigating non-traditional career paths.
The programme significantly increased participants’ awareness of career opportunities outside academic research career. Before joining REBECA, only 11% of mentees reported understanding their options, but this figure soared to 84% by the programme’s conclusion. Additionally, mentees experienced a transformation in how they perceived their academic experience, with the percentage of participants recognizing its value for non-academic roles rising from 20% to 91%.
REBECA also enabled researchers to pinpoint areas for improvement, with 73% of participants identifying gaps in their competencies compared to just 42% prior to the programme. With guidance from their mentors, mentees learned how to access resources and build connections essential for thriving in the transition to non-academic research careers.
Feedback from participants highlighted the programme’s success. Most mentees were highly satisfied with the experience, with 80% stating they would recommend REBECA to others. Meanwhile, 93% of mentors, who are professionals working beyond academia, reported that they had a meaningful impact on their mentees’ development.
This success would not have been possible without the dedicated mentors and the backing of forward-thinking organizations, including IMDEA Agua, Bayer Hispania, FICYT, mikroBIOMIK, AGAUR, Cadel Recycling, Izasa Medical, Quibim Biomarker, FORESA, AgE Inves, Promega España, ACIB GmbH, FIMABIS, University of Oviedo, IMDEA Nanoscience, Foundation of Josep Carreras, and ECRIN ERIC.
REBECA by EURAXESS mentoring programme will return with a new edition next Autumn. Meanwhile, the team has launched REBECA Practice, an innovative tool to further support career exploration and diversification for researchers.
This programme is funded by the EU Horizon Europe WIDERA Programme under the ERA Talent Project, contributing to the development of the Researchers Career Beyond Academia Hub.
About Researchers Career Beyond Academia Hub
Researchers Career Beyond Academia Hub is dedicated to enhancing the career prospects of researchers, fostering a culture of professional diversification, and ensuring that the value of academic expertise extends far beyond the academic research career.