Midwest Research Computing and Data Consortium
2026 Student Experience Program (SEP) Fellows with a member of the Midwest RCD Steering Committee, Hadrian Djohari (far left), during the networking reception at the Midwest RCD Annual Meeting in Rosemont, Illinois.
This is a series where we delve into the experiences of participants in the Student Experience Program (SEP), which pairs students with mentors and introduces them to the field during the Annual Networking Meeting. This year, six students from four institutions participated. Below is a list of the students, followed by their responses:
Ali Belhrak:
I applied for the Student Experience Program because I wanted to learn more about the field of Research Computing and Data (RCD) and better understand the different career paths available within high-performance computing (HPC) and research support. As a graduate student in Applied Computer Science, I have a strong interest in computational research, data-intensive systems, and scientific computing, and I saw the program as a valuable opportunity to connect with professionals working directly in these areas.
Another major motivation was the opportunity to interact with experienced researchers, HPC administrators, and facilitators in a supportive and collaborative environment. I was especially interested in hearing real career stories, learning how people entered the field, and understanding the technical and interpersonal skills required to succeed in research computing.
Naihao Deng:
I was introduced to this program by the director of the HPC in our college. I wanted to connect with people outside of my own research field and explore potential opportunities.
Edgar Cruz:
I was initially motivated to apply for the Student Experience Program because one of my professors at Grand Valley State University recommended it to me. After learning more about the field of Research Computing and Data, I became excited about the opportunity and applied immediately.
Ali Belhrak:
One of the biggest takeaways from the retreat was realizing that careers in Research Computing and Data are often non-linear. Many professionals I spoke with did not begin with a clear plan to work in HPC or research computing; instead, they entered the field through opportunities, research experiences, or problem-solving roles. This reinforced the importance of adaptability and continuous learning.
The mentorship and career conversations were especially impactful. Speaking with HPC directors and research facilitators provided insight into the practical realities of the field. A recurring theme was the importance of communication skills, curiosity, humility, and persistence. I was also particularly interested in discussions about balancing the researcher perspective with the administrator perspective in HPC environments.
Naihao Deng:
Several talks resonated with me, particularly discussions about the value of data from an HPC perspective. I also learned about new technologies such as Globus and found those sessions especially valuable.
Edgar Cruz:
One of my biggest takeaways was learning that many professionals in RCD did not originally plan to work in the field. This reminded me that there are many pathways within computer science and that HPC is a career path I could pursue.
The Quantum Computing session stood out the most. It was fascinating to see how rapidly the field has progressed, moving from something often viewed as theoretical to a technology with the potential to impact modern encryption methods.
Ali Belhrak:
Participating in the SEP strengthened my interest in computational research and reinforced my desire to continue working in areas related to large-scale computing and data-intensive systems. The program helped me better understand how HPC infrastructure enables advanced scientific and AI-driven research.
The conversations with professionals also encouraged me to think beyond purely technical skills and consider the broader impact of collaboration, communication, and user support in research environments. It motivated me to continue exploring opportunities in HPC, AI, and research computing support.
Naihao Deng:
The discussions around data valuation inspired me to adopt a similar perspective in one of my own research projects.
Edgar Cruz:
The SEP helped me realize that research in AI may not be the best fit for me. Through discussions with HPC leaders and professionals, I became much more interested in pursuing a career or research position in HPC instead.
Ali Belhrak:
One of the most valuable lessons I learned was the importance of problem-solving and adaptability in HPC environments. Professionals emphasized that it is impossible to know everything in such a rapidly evolving field, making independent learning and troubleshooting essential.
I also gained a better understanding of HPC infrastructure, including job schedulers, batching systems, Linux environments, and the backend systems that support large-scale computational research. The program reinforced the importance of communication and user support when working with researchers from diverse disciplines.
Naihao Deng:
I found Globus particularly interesting and valuable to learn about. I was also unfamiliar with quantum computing before the retreat, and the introductory session provided useful foundational knowledge.
Edgar Cruz:
One of the most valuable insights I gained was understanding that many HPC users do not have technical expertise in HPC itself. This highlighted the importance of communication and empathy in research computing, as support staff often need to understand a researcher’s domain in order to effectively help them.
Ali Belhrak:
My biggest advice is to actively engage with people throughout the event and not hesitate to start conversations. Some of the most valuable experiences came from informal discussions with mentors, researchers, and fellow students.
I would also encourage students to approach the event with curiosity rather than pressure. You do not need to know everything about HPC to benefit from the experience. One possible improvement would be adding additional structured networking opportunities between students and professionals from different institutions.
Naihao Deng:
Definitely connect with people. Many participants have decades of experience and can provide valuable insights not only on HPC-related topics but also on broader issues such as career planning and professional development.
Edgar Cruz:
Break out of your comfort zone and talk with as many people as possible. The networking opportunities offered through this program are invaluable. Speaking with people both inside and outside your field can provide new perspectives and open unexpected opportunities
Ali Belhrak:
This experience strengthened my confidence in pursuing opportunities related to research computing, AI, and large-scale computational systems. It showed me that success in these fields depends not only on technical expertise, but also on continuous learning, adaptability, and collaboration.
The retreat also helped me better understand the variety of career paths available in HPC and RCD, including research support, infrastructure management, and interdisciplinary collaboration roles. Most importantly, it reminded me to remain open to unexpected opportunities and career directions.
Naihao Deng:
This experience gave me a better understanding of available computing resources and how to leverage them effectively in my future research.
Edgar Cruz:
I see this experience playing a major role in shaping both my academic and professional goals. It gave me a much clearer understanding of what I want to study and pursue as a career. While I initially believed I wanted to focus on AI research, I now see HPC as a field where I would like to build my future career.