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IGCS Early Career Professionals Network

Mission
The mission of the Early Career Network (ECN) is to support, advance, and promote the needs of early career professionals and to prepare them to be future leaders in gynecologic cancer care

Strategic Priorities
These are the core areas where IGCS focuses its efforts to achieve its mission and deliver value to the future leaders. The priorities include:

Mentoring: Pairing young professionals with seasoned mentors to provide guidance, career advice, and professional support.
Education: Developing webinars, workshops, and e-learning modules tailored to early-career professionals' needs and in-person session at the annual meetings.
Strong professional network: Through networking events IGCS fosters collaboration and shared knowledge within the community and helps young professionals build new, valuable relationships.

New in 2026! Early Career Leadership Opportunities and Governance

The IGCS Early Career Network is transitioning to a formal governance structure designed to expand leadership opportunities and strengthen early-career representation within IGCS. As part of this transition, IGCS is now accepting applications to form the inaugural Early Career Executive Committee.

Applications are open from Feb 9 – March 16 to help establish the Early Career Executive Committee. Members of the IGCS Early Career Network (see eligibility requirements below) are invited to apply for the following leadership positions:

President (ex-officio IGCS Board Member with voting rights)
President-Elect
Secretary-Treasurer

Early Career Executive Committee Application

Selection Process & Key Dates

The IGCS Nominating Committee is responsible for reviewing applications and developing an election slate for both the Early Career Executive Committee and the IGCS Board of Directors. Both elections will be administered under the same timeline. Please refer to the Nominations and Election FAQ for more information.

Application period:
Review, selection, and notification period:
Election period:
Results announced:

February 9 – March 16
March 17 – April 28
May 4 – June 5
June 15

Terms of the inaugural Early Career Executive Committee will begin immediately after the first election (June 2026). After the first election, terms will coincide with the IGCS Board of Directors, who change seats on the last day of the IGCS Annual Global Meeting in an election year.

Elections and Terms

Executive Committee positions are two-year terms.
Applications, nominations, and elections will occur every two years in alignment with the IGCS Board of Directors process.

To learn more about the IGCS Board of Directors nominations and elections process, please click here.

The Role of the Early Career Executive Committee

Once established, the Early Career Executive Committee will play a central role in shaping the future of the IGCS Early Career Network. These elected leaders will help define priorities, guide strategy, and ensure the Network continues to reflect the needs and interests of early-career members worldwide. They will work closely with and receive guidance from the IGCS Early Career Advisory Board, which is made up of IGCS Board Members.

Over time, the vision for the network includes the development of dedicated committees led by early-career members, with focus areas that may include education, networking, advocacy, and research. These enhancements will be introduced in a phased and intentional manner, as appropriate leadership structures and staff support are put in place. Our goal is to build this foundation thoughtfully and sustainably.

Eligibility for the IGCS Early Career Network:

To join the network, members must:

Be an active IGCS member (of any specialty), and
Meet one of the following criteria:
- Be under the age of 40, or
- Be currently in specialty training, or
- Be no more than five years from completion of specialty training

Members who are over the age of 40 and currently in training remain eligible for the Early Career Network until five years after completing their training, at which point they will no longer be eligible. A person’s membership of the Early Career Network shall automatically cease if they cease to be a member of the IGCS.

How to Join the Early Career Network

Step 1: Become an active member of the IGCS, if you are not already. Please ensure your IGCS Member profile includes the year you completed (or expect to complete) your highest level of education (including specialty training), as this information is used to determine your eligibility.

Step 2: Log in to your IGCS Member Account

Step 3: Click on the Networks tab. Select Early Career Professionals Network, and click the Join group button. This will add you to the ECN email list, if approved.

Step 4: Wait for an email from IGCS Staff providing you with a link to access the ECN WhatsApp Group (please allow up to 5 business days)

About the IGCS Early Career WhatsApp Group

IGCS uses WhatsApp as the official platform for its Special Interest Network communities to ensure equitable, real-time access for members worldwide. WhatsApp was selected because it is widely available, free to use, mobile-friendly, and accessible across regions where other platforms may be limited or restricted.

The IGCS ECN WhatsApp group is a key member benefit designed to foster global connection, collaboration, and peer support. Through the group, members can:

Connect with early career colleagues and mentors from around the world
Share and discuss recent studies, clinical insights, and emerging research
Learn about upcoming events, educational opportunities, and leadership roles
Ask questions and engage in informal, real-time discussions with peers and mentors

The group is moderated by the IGCS Early Career Junior Faculty Mentors. In addition, a small number of senior moderators participate in the group. These individuals have been approved by the IGCS Early Career Advisory Board and serve in a supportive, advisory capacity to help guide discussion, share expertise, and ensure a high-quality, inclusive experience for members.
While moderators help maintain a respectful and productive environment, all Early Career Network members are encouraged to actively participate and share relevant content.

If you would like to join the WhatsApp Group, first complete the steps outlined above. Once your eligibility is verified by IGCS staff, you will receive an email with a link to join the IGCS Early Career Network WhatsApp Group. Please allow up to 5 business days for IGCS Staff to review your request. Inquiries about this process should be sent to igcs@igcs.org.