I am a recent graduate/hire and have multiple offers from Academia. I am still wondering whether I should just leave Q and switch to Academia. Can somebody (with possibly more life experience) tell me the pros and cons of such a decision from their perspective? Honestly, I don't like the uncertainties surrounding Q at such a crucial point of my career. Also, I believe, the work that I am assigned to at Q does not utilize my full potential. Honest and serious replies, please. Thanks a lot.
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You have different challenges, like appling for research fundings, hiring graduate students, its more like a start up in academia, and uncertainty remains until you get the tenure.
The way Broadcom trolls this site to vent their bitter disappointment over their failed hostile takeover bid, I would say Qualcomm is a jewel in your crown. You can pass your wisdom along to the next generation. Just keep in mind that no work place is perfect. Academia has less stress over deadlines, and more stress over $$.
Academia is different type of politics.
You are a piece of crap after 50 in QC. You are what you like to be after tenure in school.
You'll get uncertainty regardless. Layoffs will come in the academic worlds as well, but for different reasons. In academia, it's generally because the department didn't make their budget, or the budget was cut. If you belong to a teacher's union (required currently), a layoff is based on how long you've been in the system. The longer, the less likely to get laid off. So in academia, it can be rough in the beginning, but generally gets better the longer you're there. And, the retirement is generally more secure. The private sector will generate a decent amount of money pretty fast, so if you have debt, I'd stick with it for now. If you don't have debt, I'd consider buying a house, paying it off, then moving to academia, or doing academia part time in the interim. The big win for academia is, you have the capability to affect lives in a very positive way that can bring you a far deeper level of satisfaction than the Q stock going up 5 points. A layoff is not the end of the world, it just leaves a bad taste in the workplace that lasts a while.
Choose what brings you happiness but be sure to live within your measure.
If it's professor assistantship position in a good city which you can live well, then by all means go for it. If you're a driven person, you can become a part time consultant once you get your tenior and then the university money becomes your pocket momey. I was in the same shoes many years ago, but I never got the final academic offer. My brother did and he is happy. I'm also happy with my PhD at the industry, it gives me an edge over competition and my pay is way more than my brother's. At the end, it depends on your personality: do you like academic job?
Ray Stantz: "Personally, I liked the university. They gave us money and facilities; we didn't have to produce anything. You've never been out of college. I've worked in the private sector. [shrugs shoulders indignantly] They expect results."
Putting Q aside, Uncertainty seems to be the certain thing in our business specially these days. However it is higher paid than academia as far as I know.
Pick the one with best stock options.
If you are not happy, you might as well leave. If you get a layoff notice, you may not have a choice!