April 8, 2025 Program Applications Community Engagement Early Career Share this page: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email By Suzanna Gardner April marks the launch of applications for the SC25 Early Career Program (ECP). To celebrate our continued efforts to support emerging talent in the field, we’re taking a look back at the SC24 program held online and in Atlanta, Georgia. Fueling the Future The ECP program features pre-conference webinars and an immersive full-day workshop, offering participants direct access to seasoned experts. For SC24 we welcomed a dynamic group of emerging professionals, and took them on a journey to bridge the gap between educational theory and practical career skills. With 47 registered participants and nine walk-ins, the program created an engaging space for learning, networking, and career development. Setting the Stage for SC25 Before the conference, the ECP team offers webinars covering foundational knowledge. This offers an opportunity for attendees to connect, ensuring everyone arrives at the conference excited, prepared and ready to engage. Beyond the webinars, participants had access to a curated treasure trove of wisdom: the crowd-sourced Early Career Guidebook. Packed with tips and highlighted sessions, this guide became an essential companion for navigating SC24 and transforming the experience. I really enjoyed the social, classroom-like setting of the Early Career Program. It was a great way to meet some people in my shoes before the main events of SC. I gained valuable advice on career transitions and advancement from the panelists. NICOLAS VENTURE, ECP CLASS OF 2024 SC24 pre-conference webinars included the following topics: NAVIGATING SC Insights from ECP chairs and alumni on making the most of the conference. COLLABORATING & NETWORKING Experts shared strategies for building lasting professional relationships. SUCCESSFUL PROPOSALS Panelists discussed crafting compelling proposals and learning from setbacks. CAREER TRANSITIONS Shared personal experiences of industry shifts and overcoming obstacles. RESILIENCE & TIME MANAGEMENT Experts shared strategies for building lasting professional relationships. We aimed to connect participants with professionals who have ‘walked the walk’ and could share valuable insight into timely topics to help people advance their careers. The panelists had a lot to offer from their experiences and were eager to give back to the next generation. TINA HENNE, ARGONNE NATIONAL LABORATORY, SC24 ECP COMMITTEE Igniting Impact The program’s centerpiece is an immersive, full-day workshop. At SC24, the hands-on workshop was transformed into an interactive session filled with real-world case studies and networking opportunities. Participants gained practical tools for navigating challenges and building connections. For SC24, the foundation rested on two essential themes: competence and confidence. These combined elements create a supportive environment where participants can thrive and grow, making the program so impactful that many return to participate again. COMPETENCE Through expert-led sessions, participants were equipped with actionable tools and resources to elevate their professional skills. CONFIDENCE Hands-on activities and peer-to-peer interactions helped attendees practice, refine, and build self-assurance to tackle real-world challenges head-on. This provides an outstanding experience for first-time SC attendees! The content was highly engaging, and the opportunity to build meaningful connections will have a lasting impact. OLIVERA KOTEVSKA, ECP CLASS OF 2024 A Diverse Gathering of Talent One of the Early Career Program’s most enriching aspects is its diversity. At SC24, attendees came from four continents, representing a spectrum of educational backgrounds — bachelor’s, master’s, and PhDs — and sectors, including academia, government, and industry. This unique mix fostered vibrant discussions, innovative collaborations, and the sharing of diverse perspectives, proving that every career journey is valuable and interconnected. I truly felt the encouraging power and inclusive vibe of the community. All ECP sessions were thoughtfully designed, addressing the challenges we often face early in our careers. HAO WANG, ECP CLASS OF 2024 Submit Your Application Today! We encourage aspiring professionals to submit an application. Together we can support the next generation of leaders. Early career program If you have questions about the Early Career Program, please reach out to the program committee. We’d be happy to help. contact us SPECIAL THANKS Thanks to all who organized and presented or participated during the SC24 Early Career Program. Webinars Navigating SC24 as an Early Career Attendee Kaushik Velusamy, Assistant Computer Scientist, Argonne National Lab Kevin Brown, Argonne Scholar, Argonne National Lab and SC24 Early Career Program Chair Paula Fernanda Olaya, Research Scientist, IBM and SC24 New Volunteers Chair Bethany Lusch, Computer Scientists, Argonne National Lab Collaborating and Networking In Your Early Career Suzanna Gardner, Research Operations Administrator, Rosen Center for Advanced Computing, Purdue University Ibrahem Alshyban, Senior Computational Scientist at the Rosen Center for Advanced Computing (RCAC) at Purdue University Dameion Brown, Director of Information Security & Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Jackson State University Walter Gunter, FireFly Automatix and the United States Naval Reserve Officer Dan Martin, Computational Scientist, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Successful Proposals (or not) Sergio Iserte, Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS) Marta Roselló, Research Project Manager, Barcelona Supercomputing Center Sheikh Ghafoor, Program Director, National Science Foundation Hank Childs, Professor, University of Oregon Hal Finkel, Division Director, US Department of Energy Berk Geveci, Senior Director of Scientific Computing, Kitware Career Transitions Kristi Belcher, Lawrence Livermore National Lab Chris Bensen, Computer Scientist, Lawrence Livermore National Lab Ali Al-Sinayyid, Assistant Professor, West Virginia State University Suzanna Gardner, Research Operations Administrator, Rosen Center for Advanced Computing, Purdue University Resilience and Time Management Tips Tina Henne, Argonne National Laboratory Sergio Iserte, Barcelona Supercomputing Center Maria Ribera Sancho Samso, Manager of Education and Training, Barcelona Supercomputing Center Todd Munson, Senior Computational Scientist / R&D Leader, Argonne National Laboratory Betsy Hillery, Director of Data Initiatives Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering, Purdue University Abhinav Bhatele, Associate Professor and Director of the Parallel Software and Systems Group, University of Maryland Workshop Proposing Work Margaret Lentz, US DOE Reporting Work Torsten Hoefler, ETH Zürich Managing Work Alexandra Illarionov, 3Clouds Solutions Suzanna Gardner, Purdue University Laura Theademan, Purdue University Daniel Madren, Purdue University Career Paths Panel Patrick Widener, ORNL Chris White, LLNL Scott Callaghan, Statewide California Earthquake Center Jane Yu, Microsoft