When young scientists "first start becoming acquainted with what it means to do research in the private sector, it's really quite a culture shock," says Michael A. Santoro, a business ethics professor at Rutgers Business School in New Jersey. "In business, everything begins with the profit motive. ... Just the very idea of research is geared towards a product rather than knowledge itself. The most critical factor in determining whether a scientist is going to be successful in making the transition from the university to the private sector is the ability to buy into that point of view."
A good article to read if you about to enter the job market at any level.
Zz.
Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteoverall a good article. however, it suggests that the only role for PhD's in industry are in R and D roles with in a company. My experience over the last 7 years has been where PhD's work in the marketing, sales and management roles of the company as well. These other roles are just as technical and generally benefit from a strong scientific mind especially when interfacing with technical customers.
ReplyDeleteMy other experience with the 'pure' research side of physics in Europe, is that most of the funding revolves around projects that have clear applications and ways that industry and the academy can be married to produce a measurable result. I feel that in some ways this leaves one with physics projects that are essentially engineering, with out the expertise of proper engineers.
my 2 bits
josh