Upskill Workshop
The Upskill Workshop is an entry-level research skills series that introduces core research and professional skills to Hunter College undergraduate students and takes place during the fall and spring semesters and is powered by NYC Economic Development Corporation.
Upskill Workshop 2025 at a Glance:
- Undergraduate students gain exposure to technical, theoretical, and professional skills necessary for internship readiness.
- The skills development series (35 hours across 7 weeks) will take place on Tuesdays (2pm – 5pm) and Wednesdays (2pm – 4pm), October 7 — November 19, 2025.
- Additional workshops on strengthening research internship applications will take place across the fall and spring semesters.
- Open to CUNY Hunter sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
Applications for our fall semester Upskill Workshop is currently closed. Spring 2026 applications will open in spring 2026.
Program Overview
The RockEDU Upskill Workshop is a paid life sciences research skills program offered during the fall and spring semesters. It supports students in developing both technical and professional skills with the goal of becoming “internship ready.” Participants commit approximately 5 hours per week during the workshop series and receive continued guidance and opportunities in the months that follow.
Additional Program Details
The program curriculum integrates scientific and professional development training. Students gain hands-on experience in laboratory techniques spanning microbiology, molecular biology, and microscopy, including pipetting, PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis, database analysis, optical and fluorescence microscopy, cell culture, ImageJ analysis, colorimetric assays, SDS-PAGE, and bacterial transformation. In parallel, participants engage in career-focused workshops covering Individual Development Plans (IDPs), internship exploration and application preparation, résumé and LinkedIn development, and effective science communication.
Eligibility and Expectations
Who is eligible for this program? Currently, this program is open to Hunter College sophomores, juniors and seniors (preference is for sophomores and juniors but seniors will still be considered). Ideal applicants have little to no research experience, but a strong desire for research skills and experiences. They also have plans to apply for internships and research programs in upcoming semesters or summers.
I have worked in an academic lab before. Can I do this program? The curriculum is designed for students who have had little to no research experience, so those who have worked in a lab may have too much experience. Please review the research skills covered (main focuses are biology, microbiology, and molecular biology related skills). If your research has employed those skills, you are unlikely to be selected for the program.
I have a class conflict. Can I do partial participation? We cannot accommodate partial participation in the program and students with course schedule conflicts will not be able to participate. We encourage you to apply again in a future cycle when you do not have any conflicts.
Why is this a paid opportunity? RockEDU believes in equitable access to training programs. We understand that the time commitment for the Upskill Workshop may take away from necessary work hours, so we provide a small stipend to make the program more accessible.