Our Mission
“Thank you for offering the A2i series this Fall – I really appreciated the range of topics covered by speakers who represented different career trajectories. This is an important resource that I wish more students would take advantage of! I look forward to participating in future events.”
Accelerate to Industry (A2i) is an industry workforce readiness program for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers developed by the NC State University Graduate School. The program provides students with knowledge, skills, and abilities that establish long-term professional success.
The mission of the A2i program is to show graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and alumni the wide range of available industry careers, to help them secure industry jobs, and to empower them to excel in the corporate environment by demonstrating key competencies that are not usually learned through academic training. The A2i program facilitates these outcomes through a variety of modules that offer networking opportunities, discussion panels, presentations, workshops, team projects, site visits at local companies, and internships.
Job Search Strategies
Company Site Visits
Internships
Team Practicum
Immersion Weeks
Upcoming Events
Join Duke and NC State for an A2i Virtual Panel and Q&A featuring Syngenta professionals. The session includes a recruiter overview on the company, building connections, and transitioning from academia to industry, followed by a leader panel sharing career journeys and insights. The event concludes with an open Q&A, offering students the opportunity to engage directly with panelists in an informal setting.
Other Events
Join us!
PhD students and postdocs! Want to know more about transitioning to industry and PhD-level hiring? Attend our Acceleration to Industry Immersion Day on May 15th! You will meet employers and peers while gathering tips and tricks to help you get hired in the industry. With detailed panels, employer feedback, free food, and chances for networking, this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss! Space is limited to 60 participants
POSTPONED
This joint site visit provides PhD students and postdoctoral scholars from Duke and NC State with the opportunity to explore Syngenta’s Research Triangle Park (RTP) and Greensboro, NC locations. Hear from career professionals, leadership within the company, and see the job environment through a tour of the facilities. Participants are welcome to drive or carpool to this location. Syngenta will provide transportation between Greensboro and RTP. Seats are limited to 20 participants.
This event is postponed to the Fall Semester. Please be on the lookout for further updates.
Applications open Monday, May 4, 2026, and close Friday, May 22nd at 12:00 pm!
NC State Spring 2026 Career Insights
Trajectory Toolbox: Habits for Long-Term Success | April 10 at 1 to 2 p.m. EST
Your graduate education has prepared you to excel. Learn how to translate your expertise and strengths with early-career habits to propel you towards a positive industry career trajectory.
The Job Hunt Roadmap: Apply Smart, Interview Confidently | April 24 at 1 to 2 p.m. EST
Learn directly from a corporate recruiter how the hiring ecosystem really works. This session will reshape your idea of a “dream job,” show you how to build strong, positive relationships with recruiters, and give you practical tools to interview with confidence.
You’ve invested many hours or even years in developing your teaching and mentoring skills during graduate school, but few job descriptions beyond teaching-focused faculty positions ever make note of requiring these competencies. What kinds of possibilities can you pursue that will make good use of these experiences?
In this panel discussion, we’ll feature three professionals who leverage their teaching and mentoring skills in their daily work:
- Laurel Foote-Hudson, Ph.D., Director of Manager Effectiveness Programs and Learning, Fidelity Investments
- Sinja Küppers, Ph.D.’23 (Classical Studies), Sustainability Consultant, CURACON GmbH
- Stefan Waldschmidt, Ph.D.’17 (English), Director of Operations, Zenith Prep Academy
During the conversation, we’ll address questions such as
- What was your path to your current position?
- How did you find your current job, and how did the hiring organization view your graduate training?
- What does a professional trajectory in your field look like?
- How do you balance work and life?
UNC graduate students and postdocs are warmly welcomed to join in the conversation.
This event is part of the Careers Beyond Academia series and is sponsored by Duke Graduate School, Duke Office of Postdoctoral Services, and UNC Graduate School.
Recent Events
We are excited to invite you to join us for our first Fall Immersion Day
While our Spring Immersion Day provides a space for employers to share information about their organizations and opportunities for PhD students and postdocs, this half-day in-person workshop will focus on career readiness. Topics will include setting strategies, tailoring application documents, interview preparation, and managing job offers.
Meet the Crew
Originally from Winston-Salem, NC, Ängela received a Bachelor of Arts in Athletic Training from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2005 where she was also a Student-Athlete on the Track & Field Team. She continued her education earning a Master of Science in Athletic Administration from North Carolina Central University in 2007. During her time as a Graduate Assistant, she had dual roles within the Sports Medicine and Compliance units of the athletic department. After completing her studies, she worked with the NCCU Student-Athlete Academic Support Services. Her interest in student academic success and development propelled her into academic advising and program development for first time freshmen, sophomore, and transfer students. Angela joins us from North Carolina Central University where she most recently served as interim Academic Advising Coordinator. Ängela truly enjoys engaging with students assisting them in creating their pathway of success and seeing them reach their full potential. Ängela is also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and when not working she enjoys traveling (especially to a beach), crafting, going to an athletic event and spending time with family and friends.
Ängela Bonner
Associate Director
angela.bonner@duke.edu
“Born and raised in New York City, Hakeem attended Pace University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. While at Pace he worked as Non-profit Program Director, organizing afterschool enrichment programs and antiviolence events for the community of East Flatbush until graduation. He continued his education at New York University, earning a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Study. Post undergrad, Hakeem has accumulated 5 years of Business and Program Analyst experience working on Projects at MUFG Union Bank and Nuveen Investment services until earlier this year. Once completing his Masters, he decided to dedicate his time fully to research around music, identity, and social activity.
Hakeem is now at Duke in the Ethnomusicology doctorate program to study the social forces behind music’s relationship with identity construction and investigate the cultural work done in genres tied to Black Atlantic societies introduced in the 21st century. He joins the Duke Career Center as a Graduate Intern and is excited to contribute to the A2i program.
Hakeem Watson
Graduate Intern
hakeem.watson@duke.edu
