Accelerate to Industry+
This is a toolkit for our A2i+ academic partners. The materials listed below can be used to promote your programs, engage industry partners and build out your program modules.
A2i+ Partner Hub
Welcome, A2i+ partners! Your hub for A2i+ resources, partner guidelines, upcoming programming, and opportunities to engage.
This hub is designed to make it easy for A2i+ Academic Partners to stay connected, find helpful resources, and make the most of your partnership. Here, you’ll find tools and materials to support your local programming, reminders about partner guidelines and expectations, and information about upcoming A2i+ events and opportunities to engage with the broader community.
Our shared commitment: A2i+ is strongest when we work together. By sharing ideas and resources, participating in partner conversations, connecting speakers and professionals, and helping students engage with opportunities, each partner contributes to a stronger network and expanded career development opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.
For a full overview of A2i+ partner guidelines and commitments, please visit the Partner Guidelines & Expectations.
Partner Community
A2i+ is a shared framework—not a one-size-fits-all program. We provide resources, tools, and proven approaches to support career readiness for graduate students and postdocs, but how you use them is up to you. Adapt, remix, and build on A2i+ resources to fit the needs of your institution and students.
Upcoming Partner Meetings
Connect with fellow A2i+ partners, share ideas and promising practices, and stay informed about opportunities across the community.
2026–27 Partner Meetings
September 24, 3-4:30 p.m. EST (Zoom: https://ncsu.zoom.us/j/98787578626)
October 12, 3-4:30 p.m. EST (Zoom: https://ncsu.zoom.us/j/95049297288)
Partner Updates & Questions
Have a question, an idea to share, or want to connect with the A2i+ partner community throughout the year? Join the conversation through our partner listserv ([email protected]). Use the listserv to ask questions, share resources and opportunities, and stay connected between meetings.
Promote & Implement A2i+
Whether you’re just getting started or looking for new ways to engage your students, find ready-to-use resources to help you implement, promote, and build on A2i+ at your institution.
New to A2i+? → Start with the Implementation Guide
Get an overview of the A2i+ framework, explore ways to bring it to your campus, and identify a starting point that makes sense for your students and institution.
Looking for curriculum & resources? → Explore Curriculum & Modules
Browse ready-to-use handouts and activities designed to support career readiness. Use them as-is, adapt them to fit your programming, or rebrand them for your A2i+ offerings. They can also serve as a starting point for developing your own approach to career development on your campus.
Want to share opportunities with students? → View Upcoming Career Insights
Each semester, the A2i+ partner community comes together for a shared lineup of Career Insights sessions. Encourage your graduate students and postdocs to participate and take advantage of opportunities to learn from professionals across industries.
Ready to promote A2i+? → Visit the Communications Toolkit
Find promotional language, graphics, and other resources to help you introduce A2i+, share upcoming opportunities, and keep students engaged.
Support
FAQs | Contact the A2i+ Team
Have a question about A2i+? Start here. These FAQs provide quick answers to common questions about programming, implementation, partner expectations, and how other institutions are approaching A2i+. They’re also a helpful starting point for new team members joining your campus A2i+ effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What A2i+ programming can my students participate in?
As an A2i+ partner, your students have access to the Career Insights series offered through the partner community. Other A2i+ programming is designed and implemented by individual universities to meet the needs of their students and campus community.
Is there a list of employers we can reach out to?
We don’t maintain a centralized employer list. Employer needs and connections vary based on discipline, graduate-level skills, and local industry relationships. We encourage partners to leverage existing employer relationships on campus and alumni networks as a starting point for building industry connections.
Are partners expected to attend the partner meetings?
Yes. We ask that at least one representative from your university attend two of the four partner meetings each year. Regular participation helps us stay aligned, share what’s working, and ensure the partner community continues to support one another.
What’s the difference between A2i and A2i+?
A2i originally began at NC State as a program focused on helping STEM PhD students prepare for careers in industry. A2i+ builds on that foundation by expanding career readiness support to all graduate students and postdocs, including master’s students and students in the humanities and social sciences, and across a broader range of career paths—including industry, government, nonprofit, and other sectors. As a partner, you can use the A2i or A2i+ framework that best fits your campus and students.
Are there recommended funding models or program structures?
There’s no single model that works for every institution—and that’s one of the strengths of the A2i+ community. Partners have developed different approaches based on their campus structure, resources, student population, and institutional priorities. Use the partner community to share ideas, compare approaches, and learn from what has worked for others as you develop your own model.
Still have a question?
We’re here to help! Contact the A2i+ Team with questions about implementation, resources, partner engagement, or connecting with other members of the community.