Industry Partners

Leading holistic workforce development and integration through industry-academic  collaborations.

Accelerate to Industry+^TM is a professional program offered by the NC State Graduate School that represents the interests of 10,000 graduate students and postdoctoral associates.

A2i+ offers you opportunities to collaborate with NC State University to shape the future of holistic and integrated workforce readiness at your company. Through A2i+, you can recruit and directly impact the training of graduate and postdoctoral researchers. Our industry members help us prepare trainees in the following areas

• Leadership, teamwork, and communication
• Intellectual property and regulatory affairs
• Market and technology evaluation
• Project management
• Commercialization
• Finance

The A2i+ program includes several modules that offer a broad range of distinctive partnership opportunities.

To stay up to date on all things A2i+, program highlights, new partnerships, and important upcoming dates, subscribe to our A2i+ Newsletter.

A2i+ Modules

Participants

Our talented graduate students and postdocs at NC State span over 200 graduate programs. See below for quick facts about who our graduate students and postdocs are.

To learn more about the graduate school visit our website. To learn more about the ranking and facts on NC State visit the university website.

Elevate your talent strategy with A2i+

Career Insights

Calling all leaders! Our talented graduate students and postdocs at NC State are eager to learn how to translate their advanced skills and knowledge into successful non-academic careers. This is your chance to inspire the next generation of professionals by sharing your insights and experiences. If you’re interested in speaking to our GradPack and helping them navigate their career paths, please reach out to Kelly Rownd, our Director of Career Readiness, to learn more about this exciting opportunity.

Contact Kelly Rownd

Job Search Strategies

Ready to make a difference in the job search journey of our GradPack? Our ‘Job Search Strategies’ series offers you the opportunity to guide a cohort of graduate students and postdocs through critical aspects of their job search. Whether it’s crafting an application, acing interviews, or confidently engaging in salary negotiations, your expertise can empower the next generation to succeed in their careers. If you’re interested in leading a session or workshop, please contact Kelly Rownd, our Director of Career Readiness, to learn more about this impactful opportunity.

Contact Kelly Rownd

Company Site Visit

Showcase your company to top talent! Partner with A2i+ to host a site visit and give NC State’s graduate students and postdocs an inside look at your company’s culture, daily operations, and career opportunities. This is a unique chance to connect with highly skilled candidates who are eager to learn and contribute. A2i+ even offers tailored participant selection to match your specific talent needs. If you’re interested in setting up a company site visit, please contact Kelly Rownd, our Director of Career Readiness, to explore this exciting opportunity.

Contact Kelly Rownd

Immersion Week

Elevate your brand while shaping future industry leaders! Immerse yourself in a unique opportunity to connect with and support late-stage graduate students and postdocs during our four-day Immersion Week. This program brings together top talent with industry experts for networking, personalized feedback on job search materials, and exploration of diverse career paths available to those with advanced degrees. As a sponsor, your company will have the chance to engage directly with our GradPack through presentations, panel discussions, feedback sessions, and more.

Date TBD.

If you are interested in participating please contact Kelly Rownd

Contact Kelly Rownd

GradPACK Career Fair

Join us for the annual graduate student and postdoc career fair, hosted by the Graduate School and the Career Development Center. This premier event follows Immersion Week, giving you a unique opportunity to connect with highly skilled candidates eager to launch their industry careers. Mark your calendars—Fall 2026 dates will be announced soon. Don’t miss the chance to showcase your company and discover your next great hire!

Learn More and Register As An Employer

Micro-Internships

Enhance your workforce with micro-internships! As you plan for your upcoming talent needs, consider engaging our top-tier graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in short-term, professional assignments. Micro-internships are a powerful way to tap into fresh perspectives and specialized skills while providing these talented individuals with valuable industry experience. This is your chance to support your company’s immediate needs while helping the next generation expand their expertise beyond academia. To learn more about creating and sharing micro-internships with our GradPack, visit our employers’ website linked below.

Employer’s Website Here

Let’s Partner Together

We invite you to take the next step in partnering with us to develop our GradPACK and their career readiness. By joining forces with A2i+, you’ll gain access to a robust network of skilled graduate students and postdocs. To set up a consultation to discuss partnering with A2i+ and how the A2i+ program can fit your company’s needs and talent acquisition please reach out to Kelly Rownd, Director of Career Readiness.

“I have learned the importance of building my network and staying in touch with old acquaintances.This program has set the foundation for my professional development, and I plan to continue improving my personal and professional growth in the future.”

Kaelin Saul, Ph.D.

Biological and Agricultural Engineering