Accelerate to Industry, or A2i, is a professional development program dedicated to enhancing graduate and postdoctoral training for careers outside academia. First developed by the North Carolina State University, this program connects graduate students with industry companies to explore employment opportunities. The MSU Graduate School, along with the MSU Career Center and Mitchell Memorial Library offered this new program for the first time in Fall 2022 at Mississippi State University.
Fall 2023
Our Fall 2023 A2i programming offers a selection of Industry Job Search Strategy workshops and luncheons for the first cohort. Topics include networking, resume and CV writing, interviewing and communication skills, offer negotiation, and more.
Cohort members who take advantage of these workshops can expect to:
- build and improve their skillsets to find employment and succeed in industry
- develop a support network of fellow graduate students and graduate alumni in industry through a cohort model
- be invited to other Industry Job Search Strategies workshops and opportunities, including industry connection, at other A2i schools.
Registration will open August 1st and close September 1st.
Please see below for details regarding cohort registration and Fall A2i schedule.
Each cohort member must:
- Be at least 2nd year Master or 3rd year PhD student
- Be interested in exploring or pursuing employment in industry
- Be willing to commit to participating in all six A2i events (see schedule)
- Be willing to complete two surveys, one before they begin the program, and one after the conclusion of the final workshop.
The Fall A2i Program includes workshop materials, three lunches, networking opportunities, and one professional headshot.
Accelerate to Industry (A2i) Fall 2023 Tentative Calendar:
Friday, September 8, 1 PM – 2:30PM – Welcome and CV Workshop
Monday, September 18 - Participant Headshots
Thursday, September 21, 5 PM - 6 PM - Networking with Career Fair Vendors
Friday, September 22, 12 PM – 3:00 PM – Industry Speaker and Lunch: Famer's Business Network
Friday, October 6, 1 PM – 2:30PM – LinkedIn Workshop
Tuesday, October 17 - Mock interviews with the Career Center (Tentatively)
Friday, October 27, 12 PM – 3:00 PM – Industry Speaker and Lunch: Bayer
Friday, November 10, 1 PM – 2:30PM – Interviewing and Creating an Elevator Pitch
Friday, December 1, 12 PM – 3:00 PM – Industry Speaker and Lunch: AMERICAN Cast Iron Pipe
If you would like to become an Industry Mentor, have suggestions for new workshops and opportunities, or would like to become involved, please contact Lilli Harris at Lharris@grad.msstate.edu.
