Definition of Early Career

As of March 2024, the Royal Meteorological Society’s definition of “early career” scientist is as follows:

Academic Career Pathway

For those on an academic career pathway, early career is now defined as someone who is within 15 years of starting their first higher education qualification, or first further education qualification if a higher education qualification has not been obtained.

Industry Career Pathway

For those on an industry career pathway, early career is now defined as someone who is within 10 years of starting their first higher education qualification, or first further education qualification if a higher education qualification has not been obtained.

By “industry” it is meant non-academic professionals or researchers working in the private, public or tertiary sectors.

Table showing RMetS definition of "early career"

 

The definition recognises that the experiences and requirements of those in academia differ from those in industry. For example, the career progression of an academic can be slower, with many years spent in postdoctoral positions before attaining a faculty position. Whereas someone in a start-up may move up the career ladder relatively quickly.

Career breaks and career changes

The RMetS acknowledges that an individual may not easily fit into the new categories. For instance, a person might have taken a career break or switched to meteorology from a different field. In such cases, individuals can still choose to identify themselves as Early Career by contacting the Society via membership@rmets.org.

Flowchart: Am I early career?

Flow chart with coloured boxes and lines

*Higher education: You usually have to be 18 or older to take a higher education course. They’re usually taught in universities, colleges, and specialist institutions like art schools or agricultural colleges. Higher education qualifications include diplomas, bachelor degrees, foundation degree and post-graduate degrees.

*Further education: This includes any study after secondary education that’s not part of higher education (that is, not taken as part of an undergraduate or graduate degree).