Hey there! I agree that industry seems more appealing than academia, mainly due to the stability that comes with it. I prefer a job where a goal is set in front of me, I am told exactly what is expected of me and when, and I can follow the steps to achieve said goal. While the fast-paced nature of industry work may seem intimidating, I feel as though I work well under pressure, and I honestly have a bad habit of procrastinating, but knowing I have a hard deadline approaching quickly heavily motivates me. I also feel like industry work will allow me to feel more stable financially. However, I also agree that not pursuing academia gives a bit of FOMO. In the past, I never really even considered academia, I just assumed I'd jump right into industry following the completion of my masters. After hearing Dr Simon's lecture, though, I do love the idea of traveling, as well as doing so much to help others (teaching young engineers while also leading several research projects), but as fulfilling as that would be, I know I would find myself overwhelmed. Overall, while Dr Simon did offer me new perspectives on academia, I am still more drawn to industry for the mental and financial stability. 

Hello, I'd like to also chime in and agree that industry seems more appealing over academia at least from my current perspective. Personally I do enjoy the business aspect of device development and being able to leverage concepts, while collaborating to push devices to the front lines to be marketed. Academia does provide what seems to be a lot of security in the long run, but I feel with that level of expertise that industry demands and start ups based on niche skillsets could far outweigh the long term security a university could offer. As was touched on in Dr.Simons lecture breaking into industry will be highly production and deadline based without the same pace and setting academia would provide. It does have its draw backs as it seems you still have to climb the corporate ladder and flow where opportunities are present for pay, but that excites me because it seems that you never really know where you could land or what skillset may be required next. I've seen a few academia professors primarily in the tri-state area leave academia to cofound start ups or r&d positions with rather large companies and I think that still leads me to my position that industry outweighs academia for me because theres more entrepreneurial opportunities to scale ideas and profit.

I can say that I am more attracted to industry now because there are many possibilities of growing my career and discovering various roles. As for me, one of the main reasons why I want to go into industry is that I can change and choose my function later based on my personal interests. As for now, I am working in pharmaceutical industry and I realize that my first job is not necessary an indicator of where I can work in future because I can move to various functions such as engineering, research, quality, management and so on.

Dr. Simon's lecture actually made me look at academia a little differently though. Previously, I saw this path as teaching and research, but learning about consulting and some other activities of professors I understood that there can be more choices than I thought. I still prefer to work in industry, but I do not think that these paths should be exclusive during the whole career. Would you consider changing your career path from industry to academia in the future?

Hello! You ask a very thought provoking question. I was in the same position when I graduated from undergrad and wanted to decide whether or not I pursue a PhD in academia or go straight into industry. I've come to realize you need to understand that each experience is very different. In academia, you have the opportunity to hone precise skills on niche topics, and become an expert in a micro portion of a topic of study. In Industry, your skills can constantly change depending on the need of cross functional collaborators or project needs. In academia you will have the freedom to do what you want to do and may have a better opportunity to excel, without the financial backing of a position in industry. I was drawn to industry due to the financial aspect and broad experience moving through the stages of product development and have been employed for 3+ years. I definitely do not regret my decision.

I also find myself leaning more toward industry‚ I think it has to do with me liking the structure of an industry workplace‚ and the fact that I can see progress more clearly‚ milestones‚ and how what I do feeds into the bigger picture of the product․ One thing I kept thinking during Dr․ Simon's discussion is that "stability" means different things for different career paths․ Academia appears secure if tenure is attained‚ but a job until then may take many years of applying for grants‚ writing papers‚ and pursuing funding․ Industry may be more structured in day-to-day operations‚ but companies are constantly reorganizing‚ changing their strategies‚ and dropping projects with no guarantee of job security․

For me‚ what makes industry more attractive is the stability‚ the ability to work on cross-disciplinary teams‚ and the knowledge that you are taking something or an idea that is in the lab and pushing it through development to a point where it might eventually reach patients․ But I think I would miss the freedom in academia to ask questions that are scientifically interesting․

But after listening to Dr․ Simon give that lecture‚ I thought‚ well‚ maybe the decision is not as final․ What do you think about later in your career‚ after working in industry‚ going back to academe to do research‚ or teach‚ or do you think that's not a possibility?