Author: Richard Zeltner
When I first joined the EPS Young Minds Action Committee (EPS YM AC) in 2018, I was excited to contribute to the development of a programme which has a scope and vision that aligns very much with my own beliefs. I found it to be a valuable opportunity to gain insights into the operations and the management of a large scientific organisation, as well as to increase my professional network and gather experience in international scientific collaboration.
Looking back at my time in the EPS YM AC, and as committee chair from 2020 to 2022, it is safe to say that my expectations on the professional learning and growth opportunities have been met. For example, during my time as chair, in particular, I had the pleasure to take on an active role in the organisation of the 2022 EPS Forum. This was the first time that I contributed to shaping a large scientific conference, taking responsibility for, and eventually chairing, several sessions. My engagement provided me with insights on many details of the logistics, budgeting and programming of the meeting that go unnoticed as a conference participant. It also allowed me to directly collaborate with senior and experienced delegates of the EPS and its national member associations. This extended my network in the wider physics community and was also a valuable learning opportunity on how to integrate many good ideas and visions of the meeting coherently into the programme schedule. I further initiated a webinar series together with Optica, allowing me to gain first-hand experiences in facilitating, managing and maintaining collaboration between scientific organisations. These, and many other, activities certainly sharpened and extended my skillset, benefiting my professional career beyond EPS Young Minds.
Yet the very first associations that come to my mind when remembering my experiences in the EPS YM are actually about the people I have met and connected to. Personally, I completed all of my studies in Germany, and also after transitioning to industry, I never quite ventured out far enough to experience life abroad or academic systems in other parts of Europe and beyond. But the conversations I had about moving and living abroad, cultural diversity, different academic systems and struggles of the young minds I met, presented an incredibly enriching experience that helped me to vastly widen my perspective. This brought me a little bit closer to the 33 countries that are part of the EPS Young Minds network.
I believe that most interpersonal skills cannot be learnt in the classroom or books. I have, however, found them to be highly valuable for my personal and professional growth. Connecting with people from different backgrounds and learning how to connect and relate to them, is a critical skill in today’s fast-paced and diverse work environments. My time in the EPS YM AC taught me many lessons on how to do so effectively.
