
Accelerate to Industry (A2i)

A bold, new approach to workforce training for graduate students: Accelerate to Industry (A2i)™. With A2i, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars can explore the ample employment opportunities with industry companies, and develop the business, leadership, and communication skills that companies seek.
A2i
UC Santa Cruz – Industry Partners
Academic year 2024-2025 industry partner
Academic year 2024-2025 industry partner
The Accelerate to Industry program was founded by the NC State University Graduate School and funded through a National Science Foundation Innovations in Graduate Education (IGE) grant.
A2i Modules

Career Exploration & Preparation Events
Career Insights (INS) is comprised of talks and panels from industry speakers. Topics covered in this module include but not limited to: career exploration, business communication, corporate culture, teamwork, project management, time management, leadership, market evaluation, regulatory affairs, etc. INS’s speakers frequently change so students can benefit from taking this module multiple times.
Job Search Strategies
Job Search Strategies (JSS) is comprised of 4 workshops led by the Director of Career Readiness. Topics covered in this module include:
- How to set a strategy
- How to tailor the application
- Interview preparation
- Managing the job offer and salary negotiation
Company Site Visit
This module provides graduate students and postdoctoral scholars the opportunity to explore a company through a site visit both in person and virtually. This module provides trainees with the opportunity to hear from early career professionals who just made the transition from their degree program, leadership within the company, and see the job environment through a tour through the facilities.
Internship for Graduate Students
This module establishes opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars to connect with and work for industry partners. This module also provides an internship preparedness course geared toward helping graduate students and postdoctoral scholars be prepared for their internship experience and know how to use their internship as an opportunity to network and continue to grow their understanding of an industry career.
Team Practicum
This is a case study completed during Immersion Week, promoting interdisciplinary teamwork and collaboration.
Immersion Week
This is an intensive experiential learning opportunity that prepares graduate students, postdocs, and alumni for the corporate environment. The Accelerate to Industry Immersion module includes a week-long immersion experience for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers that includes signature A2i content along with events and activities unique to the Immersion Week.
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