Students

Upcoming Modules and Events

  • Join us July 15-17, 2025 for the second annual Industry Immersion Conference – by Accelerate to Industry (A2i), a three-day event designed to equip Doctoral Students and Postdoctoral Scholars with essential competencies for success in non-academic or academic-adjacent careers. This immersive experience features workshops and panels led by industry stakeholders and experts. The conference concludes with a Career Mixer connecting participants with industry stakeholders, alumni, community partners, and UCI Leadership.

    *Attendance at all three days is mandatory, with lunch and snacks provided daily.

    This event is free for attendees and open to both STEM and NON-STEM fields.

    Agenda:

    July 15th, Day 1, 11:30 am – 5 pm: Authentic Leadership: Leading with Self-Awareness and Integrity

    July 16th, Day 2, 11:30 am – 5 pm: Advanced Job Search Strategies – Special Guest Jeremy Schifeling, https://www.linkedin.com/in/schifeling/  

    July 17th, Day 3, 11:30 am – 7 pm: Building Your Financial and Professional Future & Career Networking Mixer (5 pm – 7 pm Conference attendees only)

    Submit your application here: https://grad-uci.12twenty.com/events/30006101277185

    For inquiries, please contact Jennifer Ellinger or Karen Friedlander at A2i@uci.edu.

    If you have difficulty completing the application, please email us at A2i@uci.edu. If you are a postdoc and do not yet have an account to register, please email us to be added.

  • UCI Graduate Division successfully launched A2i, Accelerate to Industry in Fall of 2023 with the Job Search Strategies Module and a pilot cohort of over 35 PhD students and Postdocs. A2i hosted an Immersion Conference Summer 2024 was an incredible success with over 75 PhD and Postdocs from all disciplines attending! The three-day immersion experience was an intensive experiential learning opportunity that prepared attendees for the corporate environment and exposed them to a variety of industry careers paths for PhD graduates. The conference concluded with a Career Networking Mixer. PhD Scholars unlocked opportunities, explored career pathways and connected with over 50 professional leaders, alumni, Industry and Community Partners representing both Non-STEM and STEM backgrounds.
  • Fall 2024, A2i & GPS STEM have joined forces to host Job Search Strategies: Career Foundation Series with over 60 PhD and Postdoc Scholars enrolled in the 2025 cohort!
    • Highlights of Fall 2025 Career Foundation Series:
      • Self-Discovery: Identifying your Skills, Values & Interests
      • Leveraging LinkedIn & Developing Your Professional Brand
      • Resume Lab
      • Job & Internship Timeline Management and Storytelling for Career Success
      • Dining & Etiquette, Master Business Meals with Confidence
      • Early PhD Career Panel
  • Spring 2025, A2i & GPS-STEM joined forces again to launch the Job Search Strategies: Career Transition Series. This Series aims to bring in PhDs that are working in industry to share real-world corporate scenarios, demystify the transition from academia to industry, review resumes, mock interview scenarios and more.

Upcoming Events – All A2i & GPS STEM Professional Development events, site visits, and Industry Insights are posted in Career Explorations/12twenty under the events tab. Log into your account, or click “Sign up for an account” if you have not already done so by using your “uci.edu” email. Update the profile if you have not yet done so, add your resume and LinkedIn URL, and explore the events tab to register for events.

We promote and emphasize professional courtesy. If you sign up, please show up. Check your schedule before registering for an event. Often seats are limited, and you may be taking a seat from another interested student or scholar. Please notify the event coordinator if you cannot attend prior to the event. Thank you!

Student Testimonials

“It was an incredible experience participating in the Immersion Week of the Accelerate to Industry program at NC State University. The intensive week was nothing short of transformative, packed with rigorous workshops and engaging talks that were carefully curated to address the nuances and challenges of entering the industry. One of the most impactful features of this program was the direct interaction we had with industry professionals. The personalized feedback they provided helped me identify my strengths, recognize areas for improvement, and fine-tune my skill set in alignment with industry demands. The workshops and talks covered a wide spectrum of topics, from crafting a compelling resume and optimizing our online presence to mastering the art of effective networking. Undoubtedly, the most enjoyable aspect of the experience was connecting with incredibly talented students from universities all over the U.S. This opportunity allowed me to not only gain insights into their individual journeys and research pursuits but also establish meaningful friendships. I am immensely grateful for this opportunity and would highly recommend this program to anyone seeking a seamless transition from academia to the industry.”

“The Immersion Week for Accelerating to Industry was an absolutely, unforgettable experience! Throughout the week, we were exposed to invaluable insights, workshops, and interactions with industry experts who generously shared their experiences and wisdom. These resources are immensely useful in preparing me for job search in the industry. The support and guidance we received from the program facilitators were exceptional. They were always willing to address our questions and concerns. One of the most significant highlights was the opportunity to network with fellow students and potential employers. The connections I made during the Immersion Week have opened doors for future job opportunities that I could have never imagined before. Thanks to this program, I now feel confident and well-prepared to tackle the challenges that lie ahead in the industry. I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this exceptional program.”

“The greatest aspect of the A2i immersion week was the opportunity to network with other PhDs from various backgrounds. These are your peers who are shaping science in their respective fields, and having the opportunity to network was truly invaluable. The A2i summit also enabled me to focus on improving critical career materials such as my resume, LinkedIn, and elevator pitch. These materials will be used beyond the job search and having the opportunity to improve them with insights from others at the summit was extremely useful.”