The Korea Institute of Human Resources Development in Science and Technology (KIRD) announced on March 18 that it is recruiting participants for "Career Salon," a networking program where scientists and engineers form communities around shared interests in research, job duties, and career development.
The program is operated directly by group leaders selected through an open call.
Since its launch in 2024, 25 groups have been organized with 336 participants from 166 institutions. The program is significant in that it moves away from traditional one-way knowledge transfer, allowing scientists and engineers from diverse backgrounds to freely communicate and apply acquired knowledge to R&D and work performance.
The 2025 "AI Work Innovation Master" group, based on Career Salon activities, was newly established and registered as an official research group (AI Work Innovation Research Group) within the "AI Friends" academic society. This represents a notable case of self-sustaining activities continuing after program completion, achieving ongoing growth. Career Salon has garnered strong response in the science and technology field through such outcomes.
This year, the mandatory offline meeting requirement in Daejeon was eliminated to reduce burdens on participants from other regions. As a result, the 10 group leaders selected through the early March open call now come from across the nation, including Seoul, Daejeon, and Daegu.
The groups will operate for six months starting in May. Specific topics include four research and job-related themes: Strategic Technology-Semiconductor Policy AX Networking Salon; National R&D Outcomes Becoming Video Content that Resonates with Citizens; Conflict and Harmony of Personal Information Protection in the AI Era; and Meeting of Clinical Sites and Information Technology.
Six career development topics are also offered: Growing as a Science and Technology Policy-International R&D Cooperation Expert in National Strategic Research; Career Boost Camp for Tomorrow; Writing Science Books and Giving Lectures; Advanced Competency Development for Retired Scientists and Engineers; R&D Career Reboot Salon; and From Career Portfolio to Book Publication through Blogging.
"Career Salon is a practical support measure that enables scientists and engineers to gather by topics of interest and engage in voluntary knowledge exchange," said KIRD President Bae Tae-min. "We will continue to actively encourage mutual exchange among scientists and engineers transcending organizational and job boundaries, contributing to creating a virtuous cycle ecosystem of voluntary knowledge sharing in research settings."
Career Salon is open to any scientist or engineer interested in networking. Registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis from 7 p.m. on March 18 to midnight on April 10 through K-Club, the comprehensive career development support platform for scientists and engineers.
