Thoughts from former grad students in industry Jon Goding Technical Director, Network-Centric Systems, FL Operations 3 November 2006 Copyright © 2005 Raytheon Company. All rights reserved.

Page 2UF CISE IAB - Nov Intro I challenged senior technologists across our company who were once grad students to reflect and pass along wisdom – What should you know about industry? – What should you be doing now? – Other lessons to pass along Following are some highlights, organized by affinity

Page 3UF CISE IAB - Nov What should you know about industry? You make your own job security – Continue to build your skills, industry awareness, personal networks – Innovative ideas can separate you from the pack – Expect to network, to collaborate across multiple work locations, prioritize multiple tasks, and manage dollars, schedule, and people Analyzing a problem vs. synthesizing a solution – The answer space is much larger than the problem space, – A solution should be correct, optimum, and hopefully elegant – A large company used to run advertisements with the caption "Problems aren't the problem. Answers are the problem." – Many solutions require understanding of larger complex systems You’ll still need your lab and analytical skills – Software and hardware do not always work the way described. – Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty – Many nuances of how things work that do not show up until you have made something happen (and created your own lessons-learned)

Page 4UF CISE IAB - Nov What should you know about industry? Industry offers a broad spectrum of possibilities from hands on product development to advanced research. – Don’t worry that by going into industry, you abandon the ability to do research – Research in industry frequently has more immediate application – Folks with grad degrees frequently given technical leadership roles – Defense industry technology in particular is very broad You may not get to choose who you work with, but.. – Network with smart people. you will always learn and be challenged – Find a effective mentor, that may be the most significant benefit to your career In choosing a company – Are you passionate about the tech, products, or services of the company? – Are the employees?

Page 5UF CISE IAB - Nov What should you know about industry? Companies hire to their needs, which may not align to when you are looking for work. If a company is not interested today, it’s most likely a reflection on demand You will be hired for the same reason you were accepted into a graduate program - because you have potential. That potential can take you down many paths A technical degree and experience keeps many doors open Good Companies like to rotate good engineers through different locations and roles. Take advantage of this early. Engineering resource groups offer great leadership opportunities

Page 6UF CISE IAB - Nov What should you be doing now? Start thinking about customers – Whatever you are researching, take time to understand the users of the technology – their environment and needs – Understanding the customers' business models is extremely important in ensuring that products and technologies are appropriate Stretch yourself – Take some classes outside your major – find a reason for interdisciplinary studies – Need to be able to communicate clearly and concisely – Devour lessons-learned. You will be smarter before you start. – Keep aware of areas relevant to your chosen field – Keep your aperture wide. One engineer told me he was interested in DSP in control systems and bypassed opportunity to work in telephony

Page 7UF CISE IAB - Nov What should you be doing now? Research the differences between industries – Defense, research (e.g., Lincoln Labs), biomed, telecomm, aerospace, non-profit,.... Get to know the company you want to work for – Network with people who understand the company you want to work for. – Understand their critical engineering needs – Focus on how you can address those needs

Page 8UF CISE IAB - Nov What else should you be doing now? Work experience prior to graduation – Cooperative education, summer internships, etc. demonstrate your ability to function in the work environment. – Make sure internships are supported by your advisor Have a good relationship with your advisor, this is a mutually beneficial relationship for life. Maintain a balance – Breadth and depth. It used to be that focus was key in academia but breadth in industry. Many new technologies are cross disciplinary. – Practical or applications balanced with theory is always important. Be curious. – Figure out how things actually work.

Page 9UF CISE IAB - Nov Advice I give our Engineers on becoming an Engineering Fellow Make your program or project successful Communicate. Publish and brief whenever you can. Join the mentoring program, as a mentor or mentee. Work on a technology project Engage one of our University partners. Support a proposal Join a National Committee Earn an advanced degree and professional certifications. Pursue leadership in a Tech Network (internal Raytheon communities of practice) Volunteer for an Engineering Initiative at the national level Create a personal development plan with your supervisor

Thanks Jon Goding