Professional Development Opportunities

Featured Opportunities

GGA Contests

The Genetics and Genomics Academy (GGA) at NC State University would like to invite current students and postdoctoral fellows to participate in three upcoming contests  aimed at illuminating the breadth of research taking place in GGA-affiliated labs at NC State. The winners of these competitions will be awarded cash prizes from our corporate  sponsors. Details below!

Events and Conferences

N.C. PSI graduate students and postdocs are encouraged to apply for a travel stipend to attend the Global Bioeconomy Alliance (GBA) Annual Conference 2025: Key Technologies in the Bioeconomy. This annual conference will be held in Copenhagen, Denmark from September 29 through October 3, 2025.

Deadline to apply for travel stipend: July 25, 2025
Deadline to register for conference: August 15, 2025

Pack Forward: Virtual Career Support

This virtual event is designed to support NC State current students and alumni whose career plans have been impacted by changes in federal hiring. Whether you are a current federal employee facing job uncertainty, have been affected by layoffs or hiring disruptions, or are a student who planned to enter public service, Pack Forward offers guidance, tools, and networking opportunities to help you confidently explore new career directions.

Event Date: August 13, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Event Location: Virtual via Career Fair Plus

Learn more and register

2025 N.C. PSI Hackathon

The N.C. PSI Hackathon is an exciting opportunity for students to tackle real-world challenges at the intersection of agriculture, technology, and data science. By participating, students gain hands-on experience applying their skills in coding, design, and problem-solving in a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment. The hackathon offers 3 tracks of different difficulty levels, and prizes for winning teams in each track. 

Hackathon Dates: September 12-14, 2025

Learn more and Register

Internships and Fellowships

Campus Sustainability Internships

Calling all NC State students!! You are invited to apply for the Campus As A Classroom Sustainability Internship Program, which offers more than 20 on-campus positions that provide real-world learning and professional development opportunities during the 2025-2026 academic year. These paid internships are available in a wide variety of focus areas, including data analysis, design, pollinators, water quality, zero waste and more! Applications are open through July 17.

Application Deadline: July 17, 2025

Learn more and apply

Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program

If you are a current or recent graduate students who is interested in exploring career options in science policy, this fellowship is for you! This year’s Fellowship will run from March 2 – May 22, 2026. International students already based in the United States are welcome, and we encourage those with a strong interest but limited experience in policy to apply.

Application Deadline: August 20, 2025

Learn more and apply

SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program

Offers STEM students who are currently pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. a full scholarship, internships, annual stipends, and guaranteed employment with the Department of Defense.

Applications Deadline: December 1 at 5:00 p.m. EST
The SMART Program accepts applications annually from August 1 to December 1.

Learn more and apply 

Student Opportunities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Enhance your expertise and collaborate with many of the nation’s leading science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) experts as you complete your research. Opportunities are available for current undergraduate and graduate students to participate as members of research teams at ORNL. All internships come with a stipend.

Learn more 

Micro-Internships for Graduate Students & Postdocs

Micro-internships are short-term, paid, professional assignments that allow you to explore career paths, build your network, and prepare for the transition to industry. These micro-internships allow you to be flexible with your graduate studies, while still being intentional in your career development. These unique projects are posted at all times of year by companies of all sizes,

ePACK

ePACK is NC State’s online platform for openings (internship, leadership development, and full-time job opportunities), upcoming events, online tools, and more that are currently available for you.

Explore ePack

Other Opportunities

The Graduate School’s Professional Development Workshops

The Graduate School offers an array of career preparedness, communication skills, leadership, teaching, and wellness programs year round. There are both in-person and virtual workshops offered.

Explore 

NC State LanchPad

NC State Innovation and Entrepreneurship has developed an incubator program to support early-stage undergraduate and graduate student startups. Registration for Fall 2025’s LaunchPad is live!

Learn more and register 

NSF I-Corps Program

The I-Corps Program at NC State offers a NSF training program aimed at helping scientists and engineers extend their ideas, research and inventions into the marketplace. This program consists of a four-session course focused on entrepreneurship and exploring the commercial viability of innovations.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Program Dates Vary.
*If accepted, your team will be placed in the next available cohort.

Learn more and apply 

Resources