Since its inception, NC State University’s Graduate School has been at the forefront of preparing STEM graduate students for successful careers in industry through its Accelerate to Industry™ (A2I) program. Launched in 2018, A2I was designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry, equipping students with the skills and experiences necessary to thrive in the professional world. With the support of a National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovation in Graduate Education (IGE) grant awarded in 2019, A2I has expanded its reach and impact significantly over the past few years.
Expanding Horizons
The primary goal of the A2I program was to share its model with 30 universities nationwide. By 2024, this goal was surpassed, with a total of 33 colleges and universities involved in the initiative (current total number of academic partners is 37). The A2I Training Institute was established to train professionals responsible for graduate development, ensuring that the program’s impact extends well beyond NC State.
The core objectives of A2I focus on enhancing the employment and career success of graduate STEM students. These include increasing awareness of diverse career opportunities in U.S. industries, aligning students’ values and skills with those of industry professionals, filling knowledge gaps in critical areas, providing experiential learning opportunities, and facilitating mentorship connections with peers and industry leaders.
Measuring Impact
The success of the A2I program and the NSF grant can be quantified through various metrics. In the 2023-2024 academic year alone, over 90 events were held, and almost 300 surveys were collected to assess participant experiences. Remarkably, about 15% of the participants were first-generation college students, and approximately 50% were first-generation graduate students, highlighting the program’s reach and inclusivity.
Overall, over 1,000 surveys have been collected since the grant began, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of the program’s impact. Participants reported significant gains in essential skills, particularly in communication, leadership, teamwork, project management, and adaptability. Notably, there was a 136% increase in the number of participants rating their networking competency as high or very high after engaging with the A2I program.
Industry Insights
In addition to participant feedback, the program also gathered insights from industry professionals about the key knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) needed in the future workforce. The top five KSA themes identified by industry included communication, teamwork, leadership, growth mindset, and soft skills. Industry feedback underscored the importance of areas for development such as self-discovery, project management, and leadership.
The significant increases in participant confidence regarding their competencies reflect the A2I program’s effectiveness in addressing these industry needs. With at least a 25% rise in participants reporting high levels of competence across various skills, it is clear that A2I is fulfilling its mission to prepare students for successful careers.
Looking Ahead
As the NSF grant concluded in August 2024, it is clear that the A2I program has made a profound impact on both participants and industry perceptions. By equipping STEM graduate students with the tools they need to succeed, A2I is shaping the future workforce and enhancing the professional landscape. The success of this initiative is not just a testament to NC State’s commitment to innovation in graduate education but also a model for other institutions seeking to bridge the gap between academia and industry.
As we celebrate these achievements, we look forward to the continued growth and evolution of the Accelerate to Industry™ program, ensuring that future generations of graduate students are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
A huge thank you to the NSF for supporting the mission of A2i. As well as a thank you to our academic partners, industry partners, and other supporting partners for believing in and expanding the reach of career readiness training for all graduate students and postdocs. Lastly, thank you to our evaluators Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and the William & Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation and their support in the execution of the data collection and evaluation process.
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