Why a Career in Industry?Scope of TalkWhat is “1 + 1?”The Profit MotiveExamplesPros:Cons:Industry vs. Academia vis-à-vis Academic FreedomSome Random Additional Observations on Corporate StructureIndustry’s Technological AdvantagesConclusionsWhy a Career in Industry?Scope of TalkThis segment will focus on technology-driven SV type company–Many other types, obviously, which are not covered here, e.g.:»Business computing»Services»Mgmt consultingWill talk about high-level technical-track positionAcademia vs. industry is a false dichotomy: A career in industry is towards one end of a continuumWhat is “1 + 1?”“ACME Industries wanted to hire someone to solve a Really Hard Problem for them…”The Profit MotivePurpose of Industry is to make moneyDr. Eldon Tyrell, from Blade Runner: “Commerce is our goal”Work must be targeted – whether directly or indirectly – towards producing a commercially viable “product”Primary path to goal:1. Assess best features of what technology is currently out there2. Improve upon candidate technologies, or create new ones, until you produce solution that…»Successfully addresses needs»Maximizes cost/benefit»Satisfies time and resource constraintsExamplesSequoia: extent-based file systemADS: real-time obstacle avoidance systemToshiba MRI: Overall system architecture and UIArris: pharmacophore modeling and drug designPros:Get to build real systemsWork is applied and relevantSatisfaction from seeing actual useHigher sustained intensity (pro AND con)Higher “quality” of product -> greater self-satisfactionTeamworkCons:Don’t have luxury of extended exploration for intellectual curiositySome restraints on publication–Trade secrets–Allocation of timeDilbertian “pointy-haired” politics–Actually, simpler than in academia (i.e., motivation usually power)–Much easier to quitIndustry vs. Academia vis-à-vis Academic FreedomEven in academia, intellectual freedom has constraints:–Grad students: must align area of interest to advisor’s specialty and grants–Professors: must align (or recast) research definition to fit available grantsConstrained (subtly) by community’s self-definition–Straying too far from community “mean,” or trying to break into neighboring discipline, can trigger turf wars.Industry often reserves resources for “pie in the sky” ideas, esp. at larger companiesSome Random Additional Observations onCorporate StructureExpect to change research areasTechnical Track vs. Management Track–Some companies implement this more successfully than othersNo tenure–But tenure can be a double-edged swordSome politics–Personal observation is that it is qualitatively different from politics in academia–more simple-minded, based more on power, less on standing, prestige, turfIndustry’s Technological AdvantagesIndustry often has superior technology, but is more secretive–E.g.: SoftAPR vs. FEATUREAccess to real data, often generated for your applicationAvailability of better resources–As long as need is appropriately focusedConclusionsA job in industry should be a strong consideration if:–You like to build concrete solutions to real-world problems–You want/need the satisfaction of seeing people use what you buildYou should consider a more research-oriented career path if:–You want the freedom to explore wherever your ideas take you–You get distracted easily :-)There is a wide spectrum of career paths – find your
View Full Document