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Professional Development Opportunities

Have an event or opportunity you would like to feature here and in our weekly student emails? Contact Alex Goodnight.

LAST CALL OPPORTUNITIES

2027 N.C. PSI BRIDGE Symposium

The N.C. PSI is hosting the 4th annual BRIDGE (Bridging Research Ideas for Greater Extension) Symposium. Graduate students from any department are encouraged to apply. Industry leaders, NC Extension representatives, growers, postdocs and faculty across the university will be present to hear from the teams and talk at round tables with the participants following the presentations.   At the 2027 BRIDGE Symposium, graduate students from different disciplines who are not currently collaborating on research (not in the same lab, degree program, or research project) will come together to build new interdisciplinary partnerships. Each participant will briefly present their own research, and then, as a team, they will develop and present a proposal for a collaborative research project that combines their expertise. The most innovative and compelling team presentations will receive awards.  

Application Deadline: November 13, 2026
Symposium Date: February 11, 2027

Man speaking into a microphone in front of a large screen
Cole Hammett presents his interdisciplinary research ideas at an N.C. PSI BRIDGE Symposiu.

Events and Conferences

Graduate School Workshops

In this session, hear firsthand reflections on the lessons learned during the transition, what life in industry is really like, and the skills and mindsets that make the biggest difference. Through personal experiences and practical advice, you’ll gain insights to help you navigate your own career journey with greater confidence and a clearer understanding of what to expect beyond graduate school. Register here.

Leadership is often associated with vision, influence, decision-making, and the ability to inspire others. While these qualities are undoubtedly important, they are built upon a more fundamental foundation: self-awareness. Before leaders can effectively guide others, navigate conflict, build trust, or create meaningful change, they must first understand themselves. This workshop provides a framework for how to build self-awareness so that one can become a more effective and engaging leader. Register here.

Identifying stakeholders in your research can be a helpful step in understanding how to tailor your written and oral communication for a particular audience. As a part of the Translating Research for Impact series, this workshop will assist in identifying stakeholders in research and create effective communication practices to help promote your academic and professional research. Register here.

Internships and Fellowships

2027 Flagship Pioneering Fellowship

This 12-week, paid summer Fellowship allows early career scientists to combine their scientific and technical instincts, unconstrained creativity, and the latest AI tools to generate novel scientific and technology concepts that push beyond existing scholarship and challenge dogma. Fellows then learn to iterate, challenge, and shape these ideas into unreasonable, compelling hypotheses with the potential to produce pioneering new ventures. The Flagship Pioneering Fellowship requires a full-time, in person commitment from June 7th – August 27th 2027. Fellows receive a stipend for their participation.

Application Deadline: December 15, 2026

Student holds a laptop underneath a large metalilc robot designed to take photos of hundreds of potted plants outdoors
Letitia Santos, a graduate student in biological and agricultural engineering and at 2024 FFAR Fellow, uses remotely sensed data and machine learning techniques to measure, monitor and report weed and soil conditions. Photo by Becky Kirkland.

GRAD-AID for Ag Program

GRAD-AID for Ag is a two-year graduate training program that integrates AI, fundamental plant science, and applied agricultural research, preparing students to accelerate the translation of discoveries into real-world agricultural solutions. Selected students will receive a $37,000 annual stipend to support their studies. Current or potential NC State graduate students in any plant science field, data science, computer science or related fields are eligible to apply.

Application Deadline: January 15, 2027

Grad-AID for Ag NRT logo

Other Opportunities

NC State Sustainability Career Development Program

Step into an exciting journey with the NC State Sustainability Career Development Program, where you can explore and build your career in sustainability on your own terms. This unique initiative is designed for NC State students, offering a flexible, “choose your own adventure” approach to career development. Program Enrollment is ongoing and you can join at anytime of year. Whether you’re passionate about protecting the planet, creating innovative solutions, or leading change, this program lets you tailor your experiences to match your interests and goals.

Two people discuss research on hops grown on trellises
Student Gwen Casebeer (left) and researcher Jeanine Davis look over hops growing at Mountain Horticultural Research and Extension Center in Henderson County.

The Edward Gorey House 2026 Envelop Art Contest

The artist Edward Gorey ornamented his correspondence with elaborate drawings. Each year, the Edward Gorey House on Cape Cod runs an all-ages envelope art contest to submit envelopes decorated in the annual theme. This year’s theme is “The Utter Zoo.” The winner and finalists of each category recieve a nifty prize bundle in the mail. Even if you’re not the best artist, send in an envelope if you feel inspired!

Submission Deadline: December 1, 2026 by 4:00 pm

A drawn image of a black imaginary creature holding a man wearing yellow in his mouth. Underneath is phrase "The Utter Zoo".

Resources

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.

Cooper howling wolf sculpture near greenery and benches

Have an event you would like advertised here and in our weekly email? Contact Alex Goodnight.