Skip to main content
NC State Home
The Graduate School

Accelerate to Industry+ (A2i+) Certificate

The A2i+ Certificate recognizes graduate students and postdocs who have taken intentional steps to explore non-academic career pathways and translate their academic experiences into workforce-relevant skills. Through career insight sessions, micro-learning modules, experiential learning, and informational interviews, participants reflect on how their graduate training aligns with the competencies valued across industry, government, and nonprofit sectors.

You may complete the three components in any order, with multiple options within each section so you can choose experiences that align with your interests and career goals. The only timeline requirement is that all certificate requirements must be completed before graduation.

We encourage you to work toward the certificate throughout your graduate program rather than completing everything at once. This approach gives you opportunities to apply what you learn, reflect on your experiences, and build career readiness alongside your degree.

To track your progress, submit all required reflection papers and your non-academic resume to Kelly Rownd, Director of Career Readiness, who is also available to answer questions and provide support along the way.

Ready to get started? Please indicate your interest through the certificate enrollment form.

Foundational Career Exploration & Skill Awareness (Required)

These activities are designed to help you recognize the skills you’ve developed through your experiences, explore how they apply to different career paths, and build meaningful connections within your professional network.

Attend four (4) “Career Insights” sessions + reflection paper (1 page, double-spaced)

Reflection Questions:

  • Looking across the four sessions, what patterns do you notice in the skills and competencies valued across sectors? How does your graduate training align with these expectations?
  • Identify one transferable skill you have strengthened through your research, teaching, or service. How would you describe this skill to a non-academic employer?
  • What gaps (if any) have you identified in your readiness for the non-academic workforce? What specific steps will you take to address them?

Complete one (1) Career Readiness Micro-Learning Module + reflection paper (½ page, double-spaced)
Select a module aligned with your goals (i.e. resume development, networking, interviewing, etc.)

Reflection Questions:

  • What is one concept or strategy from this module that changes how you think about your job search or professional identity?
  • How will you implement what you learned in the next 30 days?

Conduct one (1) Informational Interview + reflection paper (1 page, double-spaced)
Engage in an informational interview with an alum or professional in your field of interest (the NC State alumni network is a great way to find professionals)

Reflection Questions:

  • What insights did you gain about workplace culture, expectations, or career progression in this field?
  • What assumptions about this career path were confirmed or challenged?
  • Based on this conversation, what is your next strategic career step (skill-building, networking, application, reframing materials, etc.)?

Experiential Learning & Career Application (Required)

These high-impact experiences are designed to simulate workplace thinking, strengthen professional competencies, and support skills-based hiring preparation.

Complete one (1) of the following:

  • Job Search Strategies Series (all 4 sessions) + reflection paper (2 pages, double-spaced)
  • Immersion Conference (full participation) + reflection paper (2 pages, double-spaced)

Reflection Questions:

  • What specific competencies did you strengthen through this experience (e.g., communication, collaboration, strategic thinking, adaptability, leadership)? Provide concrete examples.
  • Describe a moment of challenge or discomfort. What did it reveal about your professional strengths or growth areas?
  • How has this experience changed the way you position your graduate training for employers?
  • What are your next three concrete steps toward securing a non-academic role?

Professional Deliverable (Required)

Submit a non-academic resume for review to Kelly ([email protected])

  • Participants must submit a tailored, non-academic resume that clearly translates graduate training into employer-relevant skills and outcomes.
  • The resume must demonstrate:
    • Skill-based bullet points (results-oriented, not task-based)
    • Clear articulation of transferable competencies
    • Alignment with a defined career direction