In the fall of 2021, Duke launched a bold, new approach to workforce training for graduate students: Accelerate to Industry (A2i). In partnership with North Carolina State University’s Graduate School, The Duke A2i program is focused on helping Humanities and Social Science PhD students find, apply for, and secure employment outside of academia. While the content, industry partners, and guest presenters will be tailored for humanities and social science doctoral candidates, other graduate and professional students from Duke are welcome to attend.
With A2i, graduate students can explore the ample employment opportunities with industry companies in Durham, in North Carolina, and across the U.S. They can develop the business, leadership, and communication skills that companies seek.
The Accelerate to Industry program is funded through a National Science Foundation Innovations in Graduate Education (IGE) grant.
What is Accelerate to Industry?
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.
What do students say about past A2i events?
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.
I enjoyed so much the conversations and the interactions with the alumni!!
PostDocs who are interested in attending, please email Ängela Bonner to indicate the sessions you wish to attend!
Job Search Series
From PhD to CEO, March 29, 3-4 pm (Virtual)
Abby Grubbs, Senior Program Coordinator and Kevin Hoch, Director of I&E Educational Programs
Have you ever thought about starting your own business after graduate school? Either it’s a biotech startup, a software development company, freelance writing work, or a bakery! Do you feel unsure where to start? Join our PhD to CEO workshop to learn about the steps you will take to build your own business and all the resources Duke I&E offers! Register Now!
Abby Grubbs is part of the education team at Duke Innovation and Entrepreneurship, working primarily on the I&E Certificate programs. She focuses on student advising, program outreach, and administration of the Graduate & Professional certificate.
Prior to joining I&E, Abby’s career was in international education. She worked for the Duke Global Education Office, advising undergraduate students on study away opportunities and managing summer study away programs. Before starting at Duke, she lived in Santiago, Chile for several years, teaching English and facilitating study abroad programming.
Abby is originally from Vermont. She has a bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies and International Studies from Colby College, and a Master’s in International Studies from North Carolina State University.
Kevin Hoch is responsible for the operational oversight of the education segment within the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative including undergraduate, graduate, and professional educational programing. He also directs the Duke in Silicon Valley study away program. Throughout his career Kevin has woven together an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit to create, develop, and implement a diverse range of educational programs. He is a trained educator, team facilitator, and coach who has led and developed multicultural and cross functional teams on a global scale. Kevin’s passion for program development began through his work at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business, where he played a lead program management role in the global expansion of Executive MBA programs and the launching of the Master of Management Studies degree. Prior to joining the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative, Kevin was an Assistant Vice President for Credit Suisse within the Strategic Change Group, leading teams on global change projects for Asset Servicing.
Kevin has a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration from North Carolina State University and a bachelor’s degree from James Madison University.
Networking & Creating Your Team, April 5, 3-4 pm (Virtual)
Rachel Coleman, Director, Career Development and Education at Duke
Are you unsure about cold emailing people? What to know the way to impress people? Want to learn how to build and maintain your mentor network? Want to figure out the best way to ask for referrals? Join our networking workshop and grow your mentor network and get the answers to all these questions! Register Now!
Originally from Pennsylvania, Rachel earned an undergraduate degree in education with a minor in psychology and went on to teach in the public school system. After completing a combined M.S./Ed.S. program in Counseling and Human Systems, she worked for more than six years at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, helping military service members navigate their career transitions.
Rachel is National Certified CounselorTM (NCC®) through the National Board for Certified Counselors as well as a Certified Career Counselor (CCC) through the National Career Development Association, an organization in which she serves as co-chair of the Veterans Committee.
Learning Languages of the Industry, April 12, 3-4 pm (Virtual)
Morgan Dalman, PhD Candidate, NC State
Are you sometimes confused about what people say in the industry? Often have questions about job postings? Find it hard to translate your skills and experience into industrial language? Academia and industry speak different languages. Join this session to learn more about the differences in the language in industry and academia. Register Now!
Morgan Dalman has been the Accelerate to Industry (A2i) Program Assistant in the Graduate School at North Carolina State University since 2019. A2i is a nationally recognized program for graduate student and postdoctoral scholar workforce readiness and is currently funded by a NSF Innovations in Graduate Education grant. In the past year, Morgan has had major oversight of NC State’s A2i Program where her experiences have given her an understanding and appreciation for the nuances of industry and academic language in the job search. She received her B.S in mechanical engineering from Hope College and her M.S. in mechanical engineering from NC State University. She is also currently pursuing her Doctorate in mechanical engineering from NC State University.
Past events
Coffee Chat with Dr. Chutney Guyton, March 1, 3-4 pm (Hybrid, Bryan Center 005)
Dr. Chutney Guyton, Contract Specialist for the General Services Administration
In this coffee chat series, we are honored to have Dr. Chutney Guyton, who will share her career pathway after graduate school. Dr. Guyton was first in higher education, and then she switched careers to the government. Come and join us to enjoy some refreshments and a conversation with Dr. Chutney Guyton. Register Now!
After graduating with her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Fort Valley State University, Chutney went on to receive her Master’s degree in Business Administration from Tennessee State University. Immediately thereafter, she earned her PhD in Higher Education Administration from The University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
Chutney’s current position is that of Contract Specialist for the General Services Administration or GSA. In this position, Chutney works with other functional and subject matter experts to procure needed goods and services for various agencies within the federal government through the negotiation and writing of contracts. This year marks the eighth year that Chutney has worked in federal acquisitions. Prior to that, she worked in both Higher Education, and Hospitality Administration.
Coffee chat with Dr. Corey Guyton, March 8, 3-4 pm (Hybrid, Bryan Center 005)
Dr. Corey Guyton, Director of Student Engagement, Middle Georgia State University
In this coffee chat series, we are honored to be joined by Dr. Corey Guyton, who has been in higher education since his graduate school. Come and join us to hear more about his journey! Register Now!
Corey Guyton is a husband, father, author, speaker, and higher ed administrator. He currently serves as the Director of Student Engagement at Middle Georgia State University where he oversees student life events, Greek life, clubs and organizations, and most things extracurricular.
He received his bachelor’s degree in Technology Management from Clayton State University; his master’s degree in College Student Personnel from the University of Louisville; and, his doctoral degree in Higher Education Leadership from Indiana State University.
Most importantly, he is the proud husband of Chutney Guyton, and they have two handsome sons, Camden and Carter.
Job Search Series
Job Search Organization, March 22, 3-4 pm (Virtual)
Dr. Kweneshia Price, Associate Dean for University College, NCCU
Job searching is such a tedious process. You may have a different resume for different companies and different job positions. You might have interviews from different companies in a week. You will not want to miss an interview or a decision deadline. Join our workshop to learn the way to keep your job search organized. Register Now!
As associate dean, Dr. Kweneshia Price oversees critical areas within University College, including the Aspiring Eagles Academy, Tutoring and Supplemental Instruction, Writing and Speaking Studio, Title III, Project Success, Rock the Lyceum Lecture series, and other student access and engagement initiatives.
Dr. Price has played an instrumental role in the growth of University College and its academic efforts since 2015. She previously served as lead academic counselor as well as director of the Aspiring Eagles Academy, or summer bridge program for first-generation students and student-athletes. She has also been an adjunct instructor for first-year students, helping them to succeed in their transition from high school, and an instructor for NCCU’s master-level higher education administration program. A student advocate, Price is known for being a highly-committed, passionate and innovative leader whose professional experiences positively impact the Eagle scholars she serves and supports. She is also an invaluable member of various campus committees that support enrollment, retention and graduation rates.
Price holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Master of Arts degree in Urban Community Counseling from Norfolk State University, and a doctorate in educational leadership from East Carolina University.
Yes! While the content, industry partners, and guest presenters will be tailored for Duke humanities and social science graduate students, other graduate and professional students from Duke are welcome to attend. If you aren’t affiliated with Duke, you may also attend the events, but be sure to mark your institution in the registration form.
If you are not able to attend at least 3 events but would still like to participate in Immersion Day, please email Abraham Nguyen at avn7@duke.edu
Accelerate to Industry at Duke is coordinated by two individuals:
Ängela Bonner
Assistant Director
Duke Career Center
Jiayue Liu
Program Coordinator/Graduate Assistant
Duke Career Center
Stay tuned for more information
Job Search Series (JSS) Workshops
Job Search- Friday, Oct 7, 12pm-1pm
Looking for a job or internship ? Job searching can be overwhelming sometimes. Join us in this workshop to arm yourself with strategies for job searching! In this workshop, we will discuss the skills and qualities of employees from the employer’s perspective, strategies to research your potential employer, and time management in job searching. Bring your own questions in job searching so we can answer them or solve them as a group!
Facilitator: Stacia Solomon, Associate Director of Duke Career Center
A native of Charlotte, Stacia earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Management & Marketing from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Following a short career in the banking industry, Stacia became a K-12 educator before attending North Carolina State University where she earned her M.Ed. in Counseling with a concentration in College Student Development.
Prior to joining the Duke Career Center, Stacia held roles at North Carolina State University and the University of California San Diego serving diverse populations for graduate in STEM fields and undergraduate students of all majors. Committed to the success of the whole person, Stacia is passionate about helping students to get to know themselves so that they can make informed career decisions.
A champion for equity, diversity, and inclusion, Stacia currently serves as chair of the Career Center Inclusion & Equity Committee and she is a member of the university-wide Campus Climate Committee.
When she’s not helping students, Stacia enjoys traveling, collecting Trader Joe’s shopping bags, exploring different cuisines, and spending time with her family.
Link to the recording.
Converting CV to Resume– Friday, Oct 14, 12pm-1pm
While a CV is usually used for applying academic jobs, a resume is more often used for job applications in the industrial world. Converting a CV to a resume might seem complicated. This workshop will provide you a framework for getting started, converting a CV to an industry resume, and ways to increase your likelihood of getting that initial phone screen or interview.
Facilitator: Dr. Vanessa Doriott Anderson, Assistant Dean for Academic and Career Development at UNC-Chapel Hill
Vanessa Doriott Anderson is Assistant Dean for Academic and Career Development at the Graduate School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In that role, she provides support for graduate students’ professional and career development and manages the Graduate Student Center. She previously served as Interim Assistant Dean for Professional Development and Director of Teaching and Communication Programs at the North Carolina State University Graduate School, and prior to that, as a tenure-track assistant professor of French. She received her B.A. in French from Macalester College, her M.A. in French from the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, and her Ph.D. in Romance Studies from Duke University. Her academic specialization in twentieth-century autobiography informs her work with graduate students who seek to shape their many varied skills and experiences into a coherent professional narrative.
Interview– Friday, Oct 21, 12pm-1pm
Whether conducted in-person, virtually, or via phone, interviews are an opportunity to tell your story while clearly conveying your skills, interest and overall fit for a specific position and organization. In this workshop, you will learn useful strategies to prepare strong responses and also practice answering some of the most common behavioral-style interview questions. You do not need to have an upcoming interview to attend this workshop.
Facilitator: Dr. Stefan Waldschmidt, College Counselor at Carolina Friends School
Stefan Waldschmidt finished their PhD in English in 2017, and their research was focused on how utilitarianism shaped nineteenth-century narratives about community and meaning. After graduating, Stefan worked as a manager at CollegeVine, a data-driven startup offering college admissions services. Stefan is currently the College Counselor at Carolina Friends School, an independent Quaker School in Durham, North Carolina.
Offer Letter and Negotiation- Friday, Oct 28, 12pm-1pm
You have gotten a job offer! How do you interpret what is included in your job offer? What are the benefits and compensation? In this workshop, you will learn helpful strategies to understand a job offer, aspects to consider when accepting a job offer, means to compare job offers, and the best ways to negotiate with your future employer about your offer and benefits. You do not have to have a job offer already. This workshop can help prepare you for future job offer negotiations!
Facilitator: Dr. Jacqueline Kellish, Director of Public Engagement at National Humanities Center
Jacqueline Kellish (she/her) received her PhD in English from Duke in 2020. Her research and dissertation focused on the ways that oppositional politics in the global contemporary novel give rise to new forms of subjectivity and community. While at Duke, Jacqueline served as the associate editor for the Duke University Press journal NOVEL: A Forum on Fiction, held a Graduate School Administrative Fellowship, and participated in the Versatile Humanists internship program. She has taught courses at Duke, the University of Washington, and the University of California, Irvine. Jacqueline received her AB degree in Political Science and English from the University of Chicago. Currently, Jacqueline works as the Director of Public Engagement at the National Humanities Center, leading programming and outreach efforts for both scholarly and public audiences.
Coffee Chats
Wednesday, Oct 5, 12pm-1pm
Guest: Dr. Meghan O’Neil, Assistant Director of Bass Connections
Meghan O’Neil is the assistant director of Bass Connections, an academic program at Duke that supports collaborative interdisciplinary research through faculty-led project teams, summer programs, courses, and research grants. Meghan provides broad administrative, communications, and strategic support for the program, and works closely with Duke faculty and administrators to develop and deploy best practices for team-based research. An enthusiastic advocate of collaboration and mentorship across disciplines, she is a 2018 graduate of Duke’s doctoral program in English and has extensive experience as an instructor, researcher and project manager. Before coming to Duke, Meghan worked for the United States Department of Justice and earned degrees from the University of Chicago and Georgetown University.
Wednesday, Oct 12, 12pm-1pm
Guest: Dr. Sara Weiss, VP and Director of Research at Center for Responsible Lending
As VP and Director of Research at the Center for Responsible Lending, Sara Weiss leads the research team and advances the organization’s policy objectives through timely, rigorous, and impactful research products. She is a data and measurement strategist and enjoys wrangling large and messy data and designing innovative data visualizations. Previously, Sara led applied research teams at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at NC State University and for a private consulting company serving federal clients. Sara holds a Ph.D. in public policy from Duke University and was a Fulbright Fellow in South Korea.
Wednesday, Oct 19, 12pm-1pm
Guest: Dr. Josh Stohl, Director of MED-EL’s North American Research Laboratory
Josh Stohl currently serves as the Director of MED-EL’s North American Research Laboratory. Josh received his PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Duke University and has spent the last 13 years at MED-EL conducting basic and applied research to produce advances in hearing implant technology. The laboratory utilizes a combination of evoked potentials, computational modeling, and behavioral testing to study the human auditory system and translate scientific discovery into improved outcomes with cochlear implants and other device-based treatments for hearing loss.
Wednesday, Oct 26, 12pm-1pm
Guest: Dr. Gabi Wurmitzer, Planning and implementation of student-facing curricular and co-curricular programs at Duke
After graduating from Duke with a PhD in German Studies, Dr. Gabriele Wurmitzer has devoted herself to several different roles under the broad umbrella of education, including working for a non-profit organization that promotes education; language education; project coordination in higher education. From her rich experience in education, she gained in-depth knowledge about the academic and administrative structures of higher education organizations, for example, Duke. She has gained her way to her current role as a program coordinator at Duke Margolis Center for Health Policy with her skills in program managing, communicating, problem-solving.
Resume Workshop– Friday, March 18, 12pm-1pm
In this hands-on workshop, you will have the opportunity to work on your resume for jobs outside of academia. This workshop will provide you a framework for getting started, converting a CV to an industry resume, and ways to increase your likelihood of getting that initial phone screen or interview. Please bring a recent CV or resume to polish it and get immediate feedback.
Facilitator: Allison Hamm, ThD ’20, Leadership and Development Coach
Allison is a leadership and personal development coach specializing in helping high-achievers sustain long-term growth and effectiveness. After working in nonprofits and higher ed for many years, she became passionate about what happens in the gap between knowing and doing: how do successful leaders translate knowledge and resources into pragmatic, skillful action across all spheres of experience? With a background in music and academia, a Duke education (MDiv, ThD), and training in Presence-Based® Coaching, Allison has been helping people translate knowledge into action for over twenty years.
