By: Urmimala Basu
This post is first seen on the Atlanta BEST Magazine Summer 2016
The common notion of “Industry or Academia” echoed by millions of graduate students and post-docs when quizzed on their career aspirations might very soon turn into the apparent paradoxical concept of “Industry and Academia”. A recent article in SCIENCE magazine talks about this morphing concept!
As the line between academia and industry blurs due to burgeoning collaborations between the industrial and academic sectors, personnel in both sectors are finding it easier to switch sides. Although transitioning from industry to academia is less precedent, this pattern is slowly yet steadily gaining momentum. In addition to unique skill-sets, people with industrial background are bringing in ‘access to new networks, and knowledge concerning how to craft win-win partnerships between universities and companies’.
Often, industrial scientists, having been engaged in research and teaching/mentoring roles, find switching to academia feasible. A definite way to gain entry (or re-entry in some cases) into academia is through senior level administrative positions: relevant industrial experience is paving the way for transition into academics. Another route to gain entry into academia from industry is as a "professor of practice." It is common for industry workers to come back to graduate school later in life to obtain a Ph.D., which can facilitate their career in industry. Typically, these people are hired to bring in new perspectives while apprising students about the avenues in industry which people in academia are often ignorant about. You can also gain access to academia from industry through conventional faculty positions: your expertise in an esoteric field can catapult them in a relevant and about-to-be-opened department at the university. Innovation and negotiation goes hand in hand when experts are hired to work in academia and industry simultaneously: their career trajectories however often eventually lead them to choose one over the other. In several European nations including Germany, having industrial experience is not only desirable but also a requirement for academic employment.
People transitioning into academia after successful careers in industry often stand out from the traditional academic crowd as they bring in a diverse range of experiences and out-of-the-box perspectives, making it lucrative for academic departments to hire them. Having worked in huge teams in industry, you can find yourself skilled in ‘managing multidisciplinary projects and individuals with different skill sets’. Being highly adept in ‘organizational, budgeting, and personnel management’, industrial scientists often possess essential skills required for transitioning into academic leadership. You also have real insight into the skills and traits that jobs are looking for in new recruits – which allows you to better guide students who are applying for internships and/or jobs in industry. Moreover, your extensive contacts in industry help foster collaborations and bring in alternative sources of research funding.
However, in making this transition, you can be in for a shock as there is a stark difference in the work ethics and cultural environments between industry and academia. While in industry, personnel are involved in research focused on marketing a product, whereas in academia you can be expected to teach, train students, serve on committees in addition to their research. In industry, research is fast-paced as products need to reach the market in the least amount of time. This is far from being true in academia where only limited research has direct commercial applications. Thus, the jump from industry to academia can come as a shock to many, but traits like humility, perseverance, and curiosity can go a long way in making your transition smoother.
To make this transition more fulfilling, start by honing your skill as a mentor. As teaching is a crucial and indispensable part of being in academia, aspiring academics currently working in industry can volunteer to teach courses part-time at local universities by reaching out to department chairs. Mentoring interns is also a great way to practice the conversational skills related to advising students. Initiating collaborations with academic institutions while in industry can facilitate a ‘soft transition’. Establishing your skill set and illustrating its utility in an academic department can establish your niche and help you find a job. But don’t expect the career switch to be a walk in the park! Taking this transition as a challenge and a learning experience can help you become a better scientist and a better academic!
For more insight, the original SCIENCE article by Alaina G. Levine can be accessed here.