Young Researchers’ Seminar Titled “Turning Points, Milestones, and Decisions at the Beginning of a Research Career”

Apr 15, 2026 | News

Motto: “Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)”

On April 14, 2026, we held our first “Let’s Get to Know Each Other” seminar where – besides an internal speaker – we also had a guest from “the other side of the street.” Our two speakers were invited to reflect on specific questions related to the main ideas of the title, namely the turning points, milestones, and decisions at the beginning of a research career, as follows:

• What were the key turning points, milestones, and both good and bad decisions in your career?
• How linear has your career path been? Did you face setbacks, and what factors held you back?
• Who influenced your decisions the most, and who played a defining role in shaping your research career?
• How important is luck, and to what extent can a career be planned?
• How predictable are the outcomes of individual decisions?
• Looking back, what would you do differently? What if…?
• What are the keys to success, and which qualities or soft skills are essential alongside professional expertise?
• What advice would you offer to early-career researchers?

The first speaker to answer these questions was Csaba Tölgyesi from the Department of Ecology, University of Szeged, who gave a very inspiring talk titled “Make Ecology Great Again – The Road to Success in a Traditionally Underrated Science.” He recalled the times when he decided to quit medical school to study biology instead, a discipline that interested him the most. Later on, international experiences persuaded him that ecology is a leading scientific field on the global level; therefore, he became determined to gain the recognition for it in the national scientific environment as well. Using a step-by-step approach, he found like-minded colleagues, attracted financing, started publishing higher- and higher-impact papers, built up his network, and founded his own research group. He thinks that “turning on the lights” is key to seeing and being seen in science as well. He also added that one has to proactively work to maintain motivation and avoid burnout, in which hobbies and family life have central roles, but enjoying one’s work and keeping away from conformity are also essential.

Máté Manczinger from the Institute of Biochemistry, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre indicated his main message already in the title, “Persistence – The Key.” Starting from medical school as well, he pursued a completely different career path and received specialization in dermatology and a PhD degree in the same year. Being “fond of data,” he realized that he prefers science to night shifts and now works as a full-time researcher and group leader in the BRC, refusing any invitations back to the clinics. During his non-linear professional advancement, comprising diverse research areas, mentors with different personalities, as well as the disadvantages related to the lack of longer time spent abroad, he realised that there are no truly bad decisions, as these are the experiences that you can learn from. He thinks that although luck is indeed important, it brings benefit only for those who work hard and keep going. Talent and persistence will eventually lead to success even for an introvert.

During the Q&A session, Imola Wilhelm, organizer of the event, emphasized how important it is for young researchers to recognize the amount of hard work and the number of rejections that often lie behind success. The speakers highlighted that success is, in fact, a combination of diverse achievements and can encompass anything that brings happiness in our professional lives.