The Europlanet Early Career (EPEC) Network and its Impact on the Planetary Science Community Over the Years.

The Europlanet Early Career network (EPEC) was established as a platform to give early career researchers and professionals – including bachelors, masters, and doctoral students, in addition to any individual who completed their last degree up to 7 years prior – access to a community with activities and events catered to their needs. What began as an idea during EPSC 2014 in Lisbon, with short courses focused on early careers, formally took shape as EPEC under Europlanet in 2018. Over the years, EPEC has established itself as an integral part of the Europlanet community and the wider planetary science and astronomy landscape in Europe and beyond.

Over the last decade, EPEC has created various events and activities spanning the whole year such as EPEC Annual Week, inspiring stories of the month, EPEC@EPSC, podcasts, and more. The EPEC Annual Week has consistently attracted around 30-50 early career individuals over the years, whilst EPEC@EPSC experiences participation from around 80 early careers across its activities. Beyond the numbers, these events and activities have led to long-lasting connections - friendships, professional opportunities (e.g. internships), PhD opportunities, collaborations through conversations, and social interactions. For many who have volunteered and organised within EPEC, it has also been a space to develop skills that go beyond science – event management, public engagement, science communication, networking, and leadership.

With this work, we bring together years of experience to showcase the impact of EPEC on the early career community, shared both by organisers and participants. As EPEC enters its second decade, we hope this reflection serves not only as a celebration of what has been built and what we have learned over the years, but as an invitation for the community to carry it forward.