Information for Students
Advance your career training with Accelerate to Industry
The Accelerate to Industry (A2i) program helps Penn State graduate students and postdoctoral researchers obtain the workforce skills, knowledge, and experience they need to be successful in dynamic careers beyond the academy. In A2i, we use the term “industry” as an umbrella term encompassing business, government, and nonprofit companies and agencies.
A2i participants will develop the business, leadership, and communication skills that companies seek and can interact with professionals from a range of entities locally, regionally, and nationally to build professional networks and explore exciting job opportunities.
Why A2i?
- A2i bridges the gap between academic training and the professional skills that will help you launch your career
- A2i prepares Penn State graduate students and postdoctoral scholars for the wide range of available careers beyond the academy
- A2i helps connect our graduate students and postdoctoral scholars with applied internship and research experiences leading to industry jobs
A2i Programs for Students
Immersion Week
As the signature career development event of A2i, Immersion Week provides a diverse set of programming led by industry representatives, alumni speakers, and career professionals. Attendees complete projects in interdisciplinary teams, learn what skills employers seek, learn how to communicate skills employers seek, network with industry professionals and alumni, and much more. Apply to attend Immersion Week.
Job Search Strategies Workshops
Hosted every fall and spring semester, Job Search Strategies is a workshop series open to all graduate students and postdoctoral researchers featuring industry speakers and professional development experts that explores the wide range of career opportunities beyond the academy, methods to navigate a job search, and tactics to secure desired positions.
While registrants are encouraged to attend all sessions in each workshop series, it is not mandatory, and students and scholars should attend sessions relevant to them and that fit into their schedules.