The International Special Interest Group (ISIG) was originally created by members of NSGC who were working internationally. It is currently maintained by and serves members who have a personal or professional interest in genetic counseling around the world. Members include the following groups of genetic counselors:
- Genetic counselors in the US that provide healthcare services to patients in different countries
- Genetic counselors trained in the US that are living/working/considering relocation abroad
- Genetic counselors in the US interested in global workforce and practice development topics
- Students working on capstone/thesis projects on a topic of international relevance
- Prospective international students applying for graduate training in the US
- Genetic counselors/genetic counseling students in the US on a work/study visa
Please reach out if you’d like to learn more about whether this group is a good fit for you!
Mission
To promote communication and relationships among genetic counselors in all nations; to facilitate the development of the genetic counseling profession globally; to provide specialized educational content for the professional development of genetic counselors within multiple healthcare models; to foster collaboration within our membership, between other SIGs, and with our international genetic counseling colleagues.
- GGC job search FAQs: Finding employment outside the U.S. (For U.S.-trained genetic counselors) (PDF)
- GGC country-specific resources: What to Know about Practicing Genetic Counseling in the United Kingdom (PDF)
Open Resources
- FAQ document for prospective international applicants (PDF).
- Stay up to date information on SIG events and resources through following up on LinkedIn Twitter @NSGCiSIG or through our Spotlight Blog.
- Join Now: To add this SIG to your NSGC membership, please visit your member profile. From the Actions tab, select the "NSGC Communities” and click on “login”" You will then be taken to the communities/discussion forum. Using the dropdown on the right corner of your screen, select “All communities” and search “International SIG” and click “Join”.
Membership Benefits
- Lead or assist in the development of educational content for the webinar series
- Lead subcommittees or work groups within the SIG
- Conceptualize and develop conference posters/ proposals
- Contribute to the genetic counseling literature
- Access recordings for past webinars
- Provide mentorship to students (including current students and prospective applicants)
- Network with genetic counselors that have a professional or personal interest in international genetic counseling
- Collaborate with other SIGs for joint projects
SIG Focus Areas and Lead Volunteers
Education Subcommittee:
Co-Chairs: Srika Amin & Sharanya Iyer
About: This subcommittee focuses on developing and implementing educational initiatives to practicing genetic counselors in the US, genetic counseling students, and prospective students. These initiatives will focus on creating resource toolkits, hosting educational events, and fostering professional development internationally
Global Genetic Counselors (GGC) Subcommittee:
Co-chairs: Aisha Furqan & Niby Elackatt
About: This subcommittee is for genetic counselors trained in the US and now practicing internationally. If you would like to be featured in our webinar series, please contact nsgcinternationalsig@gmail.com
Mentorship Subcommittee:
Co-chairs: Jennifer Kennedy & Chelna Galada
About: Connecting prospective international GC applicants with seasoned professionals who graduated from GC programs in the US. To learn more, or sign up as a mentee or mentor for next year, please visit the IGC mentorship webpage
Mentorship program for prospective international applicants:
Research Subcommittee:
Co-Chairs: Merlene Peter & Nora Nesheiwat
About: This subcommittee focuses on research activities including grant review, research highlights, and facilitating international GC related projects with students and members.
Students and GCs working on International GC related topics, and looking for committee members, advisors and/or co-investigators please contact nsgcinternationalsig@gmail.com
Grants/Award Opportunities
- Please use this form to review information about "The Pooja Way" Scholarship Fund.
- Bi-annual NSGC research grant award
- End of the year Summer Rotation award
Contact Us
The International SIG can be contacted at nsgcinternationalsig@gmail.com or through the discussion forum in the International SIG community in NSGCommunities. Please reach out if you’d like to learn more about any of our projects or volunteer!
Leadership
Monisha Sebastin
Chair
Tanaya Shroff
Vice Chair
Grace Kavanaugh
Past Chair