IBM Presents Quantum Career Pathways to EE and Quantum Students

On September 20, 2024, IBM’s Quantum team delivered an enlightening lecture on quantum computing at Columbia Engineering's Department of Electrical Engineering. This event, which highlighted both cutting-edge technologies and career pathways in the rapidly growing quantum industry, marked the first career-oriented event for students in the newly established M.S. in Quantum Science and Technology program.

The M.S. in Quantum Science and Technology, newly launched as part of the Electrical Engineering Department, welcomed its first cohort of 16 students this fall. These students will engage in a rigorous 15-month curriculum covering the fundamentals of quantum mechanics and the latest advancements in quantum computing, quantum information and networks, sensing, and more.

During the IBM career event, two key speakers— Annaliese Estes, Academic Community Manager at IBM Quantum, and Haimeng Zhang, Quantum Developer and Researcher at IBM—shared their professional journeys. They also introduced various IBM quantum-related programs and events, offering Columbia students numerous opportunities to dive deeper into the field.

Zhang, a quantum algorithm engineer and researcher at IBM, holds an undergraduate degree in Physics from the University of Science and Technology of China and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California (2016). After joining IBM as a research intern in 2022, Zhang became a full-time team member in 2023. In her current role, she helps clients execute quantum algorithms on IBM’s hardware and investigates the operational challenges of quantum computers.

Estes underscored the significance of IBM’s open-source Qiskit software, a Python-based SDK that allows users to build, simulate, and run quantum circuits. Paired with IBM’s comprehensive quantum learning platform, Qiskit provides students with access to university-level courses, tutorials, and tools for experimenting with quantum algorithms. 

Key IBM programs highlighted during the event include:

• Qiskit Global Summer School: A two-week educational program with lectures, labs, and interactive Q&A sessions. Rooted in IBM’s quantum learning platform, the event features 50% new content each year. With 5,000 seats quickly filled annually, it serves as an essential resource for those eager to enter the quantum computing field.
• Quantum Challenge: A competitive coding event held each spring, where participants solve problem sets that focus on recent advances in quantum computing, such as dynamic circuits and Qiskit 1.0.
• Qiskit Fall Fest: A student-led series of events held on campuses worldwide, fostering the growth of quantum communities. Since 2021, Fall Fest has grown to host over 95 events, drawing more than 11,000 attendees.
• Qiskit Advocates Program: A global cohort of over 500 dedicated Qiskit community members, the program offers mentorship, exclusive opportunities, and support from IBM Quantum to help these individuals shape the future of the field.

For Columbia's quantum students, the IBM event offered not only inspiration but a roadmap to future career opportunities, equipping them to contribute to the ever-evolving quantum landscape.