Accelerate to Industry
Accelerate to Industry is an innovative approach to workforce training for graduate students. First developed by the North Carolina State University through a National Science Foundation grant, this program connects graduate students and postdoctoral scholars with industry companies to explore employment opportunities. The program helps graduate students and postdoctoral scholars develop the business, leadership, and communication skills that companies seek in new employees.
In A2i, we use the term “industry” as an umbrella term encompassing business, government, and nonprofit companies and agencies.
The mission of A2i is to:
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Prepare graduate students and postdoctoral scholars for the wide range of available industry careers
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Help Penn State graduate students and postdoctoral researchers secure industry jobs
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Build a program that serves as a touch point for long-term collaborative relationships between industry and universities
A2i Modules
A2i seeks to bridge the gaps between traditional academic training and industry employment readiness through five training modules. These modules provide a range of career and professional development opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars to build their skills and engage with industry partners at all stages of their careers.
Learn about A2i modules
Upcoming Events
The Graduate School hosts Job Search Strategies Workshops every fall and spring semester, and Immersion Week during the week after the spring semester. Learn about those programs and more.
Learn more
“Through Accelerate to Industry™, employers gain insight and access to graduate students who are representative of the Penn State graduate education community at large. This can provide an awareness to the types of challenges and gaps in knowledge that may exist, allowing companies the opportunity to be better prepare to identify, recruit, and then bring on board new employees fresh from graduate school.”
— Jay Kovacs
Chief Innovation Officer, Axient Corporation