Knight Campus Graduate Internship Program Welcomes New Cohort with Professional Development Week

Informal gathering of people in lobby

On Tuesday, June 17, the Knight Campus Graduate Internship Program (KCGIP) will kick off a transformative journey for 96 incoming students with its annual Professional Development Week. Taking place June 17, 18, and 20, the event sets the stage for students as they begin coursework in their respective tracks—bioinformatics, optics, polymers, semiconductors, and sensors. 

The week’s sessions are designed to build community, align on core values, and set expectations to ensure academic and professional success. With students preparing to immerse themselves in rigorous coursework, the program fosters a collaborative environment where they can connect with peers and Knight Campus community members before embarking on their academic and professional paths. 

Each day of Professional Development Week is centered around a theme, reflecting the program’s commitment to both personal and professional growth: 

  • June 17 – Strong Communities: Students will engage in programming that fosters supportive and inclusive networks and reinforces the underlying values that need to be present to engineer a culture of flourishing.
  • June 18 – Science Journeys: Through interactive panels, small group activities and lectures, students reflect on their past scientific journeys, current state, and future technical aspirations. A panel of KCGIP alumni will share academic and career success insights; science communicator Mark Blaine will help students unpack the power of their story; and the day will end with a networking event with industry and national lab partners.
  • June 20 – Summer Term Success: The final day equips students with tools to thrive in their coursework, setting a strong foundation for the challenges and opportunities ahead. Students meet with the director and instructional staff of their respective programs to get a sense of the summer ahead and receive program-specific details about what to expect in their first week and beyond. 

Summer courses for KCGIP students officially begin on Monday, June 23. Materials track students will continue coursework on campus through December, with most students transitioning to paid internship positions in January; bioinformatics students will complete campus coursework through spring term and transition to paid internships in April. 

By fostering connections and encouraging students to embrace the Knight Campus mission, the week is more than an introduction— Professional Development Week is a launchpad for the future.