A2i Participant Gains Valuable Insights at SAS Site Visit

Ashley Beatty, a 3rd-year doctoral student in design and participant in the Accelerate to Industry program at NC State, recently attended a company site visit to SAS. Reflecting on her experience, Beatty remarked, “Before the SAS site visit, it was hard to imagine how the specialized subject expertise we develop as doctoral students could be useful to anything but an equally specialized industry.”

During the visit, Beatty learned that the problem solving, research design, project management, and reporting skills developed in academia are highly transferable and valued in industry, even in sectors outside of her discipline. She also discovered that unlike academia, where multiple roles often need to be juggled, industry allows professionals to focus on their core strengths.

Beatty’s experience at SAS has left her with a newfound confidence and an open mind as she navigates her career path.

“Though I’m still debating which path is right for me, I will now approach the job search with more confidence and an opened mind.”

The Accelerate to Industry program aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry, providing graduate students and postdocs with opportunities to explore career options outside of traditional academic paths. Ashley Beatty’s experience at SAS exemplifies the program’s impact in empowering participants to make informed decisions about their future careers.