DOC PREVIEW
UMBC CMSC 691 - LECTURE NOTES

This preview shows page 1-2-3-4 out of 11 pages.

Save
View full document
View full document
Premium Document
Do you want full access? Go Premium and unlock all 11 pages.
Access to all documents
Download any document
Ad free experience
View full document
Premium Document
Do you want full access? Go Premium and unlock all 11 pages.
Access to all documents
Download any document
Ad free experience
View full document
Premium Document
Do you want full access? Go Premium and unlock all 11 pages.
Access to all documents
Download any document
Ad free experience
View full document
Premium Document
Do you want full access? Go Premium and unlock all 11 pages.
Access to all documents
Download any document
Ad free experience
Premium Document
Do you want full access? Go Premium and unlock all 11 pages.
Access to all documents
Download any document
Ad free experience

Unformatted text preview:

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 TalkThis segment will focus on technology-driven SV type company–Many other types, obviously, which are not covered here, e.g.:»Business computing»Services»Mgmt consultingWill talk about high-level technical-track positionAcademia 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 MotivePurpose 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 constraintsExamplesSequoia: extent-based file systemADS: real-time obstacle avoidance systemToshiba MRI: Overall system architecture and UIArris: pharmacophore modeling and drug designPros:Get to build real systemsWork is applied and relevantSatisfaction from seeing actual useHigher sustained intensity (pro AND con)Higher “quality” of product -> greater self-satisfactionTeamworkCons:Don’t have luxury of extended exploration for intellectual curiositySome restraints on publication–Trade secrets–Allocation of timeDilbertian “pointy-haired” politics–Actually, simpler than in academia (i.e., motivation usually power)–Much easier to quitIndustry vs. Academia vis-à-vis Academic FreedomEven 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 grantsConstrained (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 StructureExpect to change research areasTechnical Track vs. Management Track–Some companies implement this more successfully than othersNo tenure–But tenure can be a double-edged swordSome 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 AdvantagesIndustry often has superior technology, but is more secretive–E.g.: SoftAPR vs. FEATUREAccess to real data, often generated for your applicationAvailability of better resources–As long as need is appropriately focusedConclusionsA 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 buildYou 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

UMBC CMSC 691 - LECTURE NOTES

Documents in this Course
NOTES

NOTES

8 pages

OWL

OWL

109 pages

Security

Security

53 pages

SIP

SIP

45 pages

Proposals

Proposals

30 pages

Proposals

Proposals

30 pages

Load more
Download LECTURE NOTES
Our administrator received your request to download this document. We will send you the file to your email shortly.
Loading Unlocking...
Login

Join to view LECTURE NOTES and access 3M+ class-specific study document.

or
We will never post anything without your permission.
Don't have an account?
Sign Up

Join to view LECTURE NOTES 2 2 and access 3M+ class-specific study document.

or

By creating an account you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use

Already a member?