CUNY CREST HIRES: Professional Development Overview

Expanding Pathways. Empowering Scholars. Building STEM Leaders.

The CUNY CREST HIRES Program enriches students’ research experience through a dynamic suite of professional development activities designed to strengthen communication, leadership, and career readiness. From creative storytelling workshops with the Irondale Ensemble to expert-led seminars, career pathway panels, and writing-intensive reflections, HIRES equips scholars with the skills, confidence, and professional awareness needed to succeed in STEM education and the environmental workforce.

Professional Development Activities

The CUNY CREST HIRES Program is committed to preparing the next generation of Earth system scientists, engineers, and environmental leaders through a rich suite of summer professional development experiences. Our approach blends technical learning, research readiness, communication skills, and personal growth—ensuring that every scholar is equipped to thrive in academic, scientific, and professional environments.

Each summer, HIRES scholars engage in structured professional development sessions designed to complement their research immersion. Workshops are curated by faculty, industry partners, creative arts organizations, and career development specialists. Together, these offerings help students strengthen their scientific identity, build confidence, and develop the workforce skills needed in STEM fields.

Key focus areas include:

  • Research communication and scientific writing
  • Responsible conduct of research and research ethics
  • Data literacy and environmental analysis tools
  • Leadership and teamwork
  • Career exploration in Earth and environmental sciences
  • Graduate school readiness and STEM workforce pathways

Irondale Ensemble Project: Storytelling for Science

A standout feature of the HIRES summer experience is the Irondale Ensemble Project Workshops, an innovative collaboration that brings applied theatre techniques into the STEM learning environment.

Scientists must be able to communicate complex ideas clearly, authentically, and with confidence. Through Irondale’s award-winning ensemble methods, students learn how to use their voice, body, and personal narratives to connect their scientific research with broader societal impacts.

What Students Experience

The Irondale workshops guide scholars through interactive, high-energy activities that build:

  • Presence and confidence in public speaking
  • Collaborative skills through improvisation
  • Creative expression for communicating research
  • Story-driven approaches to sharing scientific and lived experiences
  • A sense of community among diverse research cohorts

Participants consistently highlight these workshops as transformative—helping them grow not only as scientists, but also as communicators and leaders.

Professional Seminars & Career Pathway Panels

Sessions led by NOAA scientists, industry professionals, and academic researchers covering:

  • Career pathways in environmental sciences
  • Nuclear society seminars
  • Remote sensing, modeling, climate services
  • Student-written seminar summary reports to strengthen scientific writing

Research Communication Training

  • Scientific writing
  • Poster & presentation skills
  • Data analysis, visualization, and interpretation
  • Ethics and responsible research practices

Career & Workforce Preparation

  • Resume & CV building
  • Networking with STEM professionals
  • Mock interviews
  • Guidance for internships and graduate school

Leadership Development

  • Team-building
  • Peer collaboration
  • Alumni mentorship
  • Reflection circles

Impact
HIRES equips scholars with the confidence, clarity, and communication skills needed to excel in STEM education and environmental careers.

Why Storytelling Matters in STEM

Career and Academic Pathway Support

HIRES also offers individualized and group sessions focused on:

  • Resume and CV development
  • Professional email and networking etiquette
  • Panel discussions with alumni, graduate students, and STEM professionals
  • Guidance on applying to internships, fellowships, and research opportunities
  • Provide recommendation letters to support their college applications 

These sessions are aligned with HIRES’s mission to expand diversity and inclusion in the STEM workforce by providing equitable access to high-impact training.

Building a Community of Emerging Leaders

Through hands-on research, reflective workshops, and creative communication training, the HIRES professional development series empowers students to see themselves as contributors to the environmental sciences. By integrating the arts—with partners like Irondale—alongside rigorous scientific preparation, the program creates a holistic learning ecosystem that supports scholars’ academic, personal, and career trajectories.