Midwest Research Computing and Data Consortium
Jumpstart Your Future in Research Computing & Data!
Are you a graduate or undergraduate student in computing or computational sciences? Looking to connect with top professionals, gain real-world career insights, and learn more about Research Computing & Data within higher education? This is your chance! The Student Experience Program offers a supportive, low-pressure environment where you can engage in meaningful discussions, observe a professional setting, and broaden your understanding of the field—without the stress of a research commitment.
This is your chance to make meaningful connections and take the next step in your career! Apply now and start your journey today!
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
Students played an active role in the 2026 Midwest RCD Annual Meeting through the Consortium’s Student Experience Program (SEP). Four students from Grand Valley State University and the University of Michigan participated, including three students from a non-R1 institution. The program introduced students to the breadth of Research Computing and Data (RCD) through mentorship, technical sessions, networking, and conversations with RCD professionals from across the region. Students shared that the experience helped them discover new career possibilities and better understand the many pathways into research computing. Sessions on topics such as HPC, Globus, quantum computing, and data-intensive research expanded their technical knowledge, while conversations with mentors and other attendees highlighted the importance of communication, adaptability, curiosity, and collaboration in RCD careers. For some participants, the experience also directly influenced their academic and professional goals, including one student who entered the program interested in AI research and left with a new interest in pursuing HPC as a career. Across their reflections, students consistently identified networking and access to experienced RCD professionals as one of the most valuable aspects of the program. Their advice to future participants was simple: step outside your comfort zone, ask questions, and talk to as many people as possible.