Partnering with Industry

Eph McLean

Georgia State University

Why should we care?

• To hire our graduates• To help keep our courses and curricula

current and relevant• To provide sites for student projects,

internships, co-ops, etc.• To provide sites and data sources for

faculty and doctoral students’ research• And, . . . a source of funding

Value Proposition for Companies

• Source of qualified new hires• Access to [applied!] university research• Access to faculty expertise, consulting,

briefings• Serving on school advisory boards,

influencing curricula content, design• Making presentations to classes, student

groups (e.g., AIS Student Chapters)

How to Proceed?

• Partner with a well-placed CIO, preferably an alumnus

• Identity numerous “touch points” for companies– Projects for student teams– Internships, both paid and non-paid– Co-ops (four- to six-month paid employment)– Serving as mentors to students– Making presentations on campus– Becoming part-time adjunct faculty

Parting Comments

• Who will do this “partnering”?– You, members of your faculty?– What is the university reward system for

such efforts?• Will the college support you – or fight

you?