Twenty-four graduate students in STEM programs — the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics — participated in a new program designed to connect students to industry careers. The U of A Career Development Center, in partnership with the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences; the College of Engineering; and the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, held the university's inaugural Accelerate to Industry (A2i) conference, a face-to-face professional development conference, July 19-21. 

Students both learned from and networked with employees of two of the sponsoring companies: Garver, a North Little Rock based consulting firm, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Division (NRCS). Students reported greater familiarity with both companies as a result of the conference, one of the main aims of the event. Illinois-based Phigenics LLC, a water management company with an office in Fayetteville, also sponsored the event.  

In addition to presentations by Garver and NRCS, participants engaged in resume reviews, mock interviews, story-telling exercises and panel conversations by alumni who have successfully transitioned from graduate school to industry positions. Participants provided positive feedback about their experiences with these different activities. One student said, "I've been telling everyone I know to go next year and told my adviser to send all future students to it. I wish it had been a day longer!"

Skills learned during the three-day conference culminated in a pitch competition. Students were grouped into inter-disciplinary teams and tasked with developing a product, technology or service that addresses a pre-existing need. Pitches were evaluated by a panel of industry judges: Adam Chadwick, merchandise director at Walmart; Keith Tencleve, a team director at Garver; and Rodney Wright, the Arkansas water management engineer for the NRCS. The winning team, composed of Tommaso Benigni, Erin Drewke, Carrie Ann Followell, Ying Fu and Chao Sui, proposed a mechanical system to help hog producers efficiently convert animal waste into usable fertilizer.

A2i is a professional development conference originally developed by North Carolina State University in 2017. The program started with one conference and has since expanded to include five modules. NC State has partnered with over 20 institutions around the world to help graduate students and postdoctoral scholars navigate their transition from academia to industry.

U of A participants of A2i had strong outcomes, reporting an increase in confidence in their preparedness for careers in industry, as well as greater interest in industry careers. The A2i committee currently plans on next holding the conference the week before Fall 2023 classes begin and adding a parallel track for STEM undergraduates.