学术人士“下海”该注意些什么？
在获得了政治学博士学位后，新墨西哥州阿布奎基市的布伦特•伊斯特伍德(Brent Eastwood)成为了一名国内政策和国际安全事务专家。
After receiving his doctorate in political science, Brent Eastwood of Albuquerque became a domestic-policy and international-security expert.
伊斯特伍德曾是弗吉尼亚州乔治梅森大学(George Mason University)的教授，他在《经济发展应用研究》(Applied Research in Economic Development)等学术期刊上发表过文章，2008年还写了《21世纪经济解决方案》(Solutions for a 21st Century Economy)一书。
A professor at George Mason University in Virginia, Dr. Eastwood was published in academic journals such as Applied Research in Economic Development and wrote the 2008 book 'Solutions for a 21st Century Economy.'
然后，伊斯特伍德遭遇了“创业难”的问题。现年38岁的伊斯特伍德说，我成立了一家政治问题研究公司EastwoodNet，开始的时候事事不顺，不过最后我找到了自己的合适位置：为候选人和非营利机构提供咨询。
Then, Dr. Eastwood was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug. 'I formed a political research firm called EastwoodNet, and at first nothing was working,' says the 38-year-old. 'But eventually I found my niche consulting for candidates and nonprofits.'
伊斯特伍德完成了我们难得一见的转型──从学术界转到了企业界，这两个世界真是有着天壤之别。他说，很多教授专注于获得研究基金，不过却没有走出去冒这些巨大的风险。我看到过在风险投资大会上向投资者发表演讲的学术人士遭到炮轰；教授们不习惯这样的厚脸皮，如果想在企业界工作，就不得不长出厚脸皮。
Dr. Eastwood has made a transition we don't hear too much about -- going from a career in academia to one in business -- and the two worlds couldn't be more different. 'Many professors focus on getting research grants, but they aren't out there taking these big risks. I've seen academics pitching to investors at venture-capital conferences get eaten alive,' he says. 'Professors aren't used to needing such a thick skin, and they have to develop it if they want to work in business.'
企业界的优势
Business-World Advantages
鉴于伊斯特伍德描绘的恐怖图景，企业界为何对学术人士具有如此大的吸引力呢？首先，是因为人们有着这样的心态：大学校园里的资源缺乏。关于创新的商业书《鲁道夫因子》(The Rudolph Factor)的作者辛迪•劳林(Cyndi Laurin)说，学术机构的资源有限，这就催生了一种令人窒息压抑的文化。在企业界，我的想法获得了更加热诚的接受，也更受赞赏。劳林本人就是从学术界转到了企业界。
Given the picture Dr. Eastwood paints, why would the corporate world be attractive to academics? The No. 1 reason is the mentality that there's a scarcity of resources on college campuses. 'Institutions have limited resources to go around, and this creates a culture that can be stifling and frustrating,' says Cyndi Laurin, the author of 'The Rudolph Factor,' a business book on innovation, and herself an academic turned businesswoman. 'My ideas received a far heartier reception and were much more appreciated in the corporate world.'
当然，还有钱的问题。拥有博士学位和其他高学历的人从学术界跳到企业界，可以多赚几万美元。
Of course, there's also the money -- people with doctorates and other advanced degrees can earn tens of thousands of dollars more by making the leap.
劳林说，企业界还有更多的晋升和担任各种不同职务的机会。劳林获得了教育领导力的博士学位。
'The corporate world also allows for more promotions and greater opportunities to take on a variety of roles,' says Dr. Laurin, who earned her doctorate in educational leadership.
博士 vs 工商管理硕士(MBA)
Ph.D.s vs. M.B.A.s
如果你在考虑离开学术界，你需要注意些什么？首先，不要认定企业界是个富足的世界。现在很多行业都陷入了困境，所以你可能需要等待情况好转一些之后再行动。此外，不要认定拥有博士学位和独立工作的经历就可以使你胜任管理职务。
If you've been mulling over a move out of academia, what are some things to keep in mind? First, don't assume that the business world is the land of plenty. Many industries are suffering now, so you might need to wait for things to pick up a bit. Also, don't assume that having a Ph.D. and a history of working independently qualifies you for an executive position.
劳林说，企业希望看到你给曾经效力的公司带来过成功。尽管你的教育背景、研究和发表的论文是学术界看重的，但企业界希望看到的是你给曾经工作过的公司带来了什么利润上的不同。
'Corporations expect a track record of internal successes,' says Dr. Laurin. 'Although your education, research and publications are the high points of an academic résumé, the business world wants to see how you've made a monetary difference to past employers.'
从学术界跳到企业界的人应该把握好自己的节奏。你学术生涯的后半段是涉足企业的好时机，因为这时候你的压力较小，不必完成艰巨的研究、教学和发表论文的要求。伊斯特伍德说，你必须小心，不要花过多的精力在这上，否则会错过晋升终身教授的机会。
Those making this transition should pace themselves. The latter half of your academic career is a good time to dip your toe into business because there's less pressure to fulfill stringent research, teaching and publication requirements. 'You have to be careful not to spread yourself too thin, or you risk getting passed over for tenure,' adds Dr. Eastwood.
