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
Other Events
NC State Spring 2026 Career Insights
Understanding Compensation and Navigating your First Offer Negotiation | Feb. 6 at 1 to 2 p.m. EST
Compensation is a critical aspect of landing a new job. Gain perspective on how to assess your value in the workplace and navigate the delicate conversations around compensation when you’ve done the hard work of landing an offer. Drawing on experience working with thousands of students and hundreds of tech industry professionals, this session will highlight insights from a Job Search and Negotiation Coach, including real examples of offer improvements that have been achieved and what may be possible for you.
The offer letter is signed – Now what? | Feb. 20 at 1 to 2 p.m. EST
Now it’s time to make your money work for you. This workshop will give you practical tools to confidently manage your first paycheck wisely and build habits that support long-term financial growth and stability.
Skills in Demand: How Graduate Education Prepares You for Corporate Challenges | March 6 at 1 to 2 p.m. EST
It is essential to understand how the skills you’ve developed in graduate studies are not only relevant but highly sought after in various industries. In this session, learn how the graduate academic experiences translate into practical applications in the workplace. You will leave empowered to recognize your readiness and understand the demand for your skills in the corporate job market.
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
