SIParCS 2026 - Gabrielle Forbes

Evaluating the Social and Professional Priorities of SIParCS Graduate Students

Recorded Talk

Unlike many other internships, the SIParCS program stands out by providing internship opportunities to both undergraduate and graduate students. Therefore, the CODE Intern role can often pose challenges trying to meet the needs and wants of both groups due to their different priorities. The CODE (CISL Outreach, Development, and Education) intern is responsible for creating co-curricular (social and professional) events for the other SIParCS interns in order to foster community and personal & professional growth. Due to the gaps in literature surrounding graduate students needs especially in the STEM field, it can be difficult to design intentional programming that can create a lasting impact. How can the CODE Intern effectively serve its graduate population without being knowledgeable about their needs, conflicts, and values? This study examines the institutional and cultural barriers to co-curricular engagement among current and past STEM graduate students in the SIParCS program. Inspired by the decreased engagement in co-curricular activities by previous SIParCS graduate students in recent years, this research evaluates how the competitive pressures inherent in STEM disciplines impact students' capacity to participate in social and professional development programming. Using a mixed-methods approach consisting of an anonymous survey and semi-structured interviews with current interns and alumni, this study identifies key systemic barriers—including lab workload, time constraints, and advisor pressure. The findings offer actionable strategies for student affairs professionals to design holistic, low-barrier programming that aligns with graduate student needs.

Mentors: Virginia Do, Jessica Amaya

Slides and poster