THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT

A faculty colleague of mine used to eat dinner regularly at our house. As Lou stepped out the door on his way home, his parting line was always, “See you tomorrow at the plant.” We invariably smiled at the image of ourselves in chalk-covered overalls, carrying lunch buckets filled with books and pencils, on our way to a paper factory with ivy-covered walls.

Of course, for many industrial mathematicians “the plant” is just that, and the product is quite tangible, be it steel or software or strategies for pollution control.

What is it like to work in industry, away from the familiar patterns and the ephemeral products of academia? How do the habits and practices of those working environments compare with academia? How are those mathematicians supported?

WORKING WITH COLLEAGUES

The usual industrial working environment ranges from large groups similar in size to university mathematics departments to isolated individuals. In any case, much of the work is done jointly, sometimes in rather large teams. The challenge of teamwork continues throughout a career, in contrast with the personally directed research path a tenured faculty member can choose to follow.

One industrial mathematician explains that the dictates of teamwork “may mean you have to do what you don't want to do for awhile.” Another says, “You must have tolerance for a range of abilities and the wisdom to navigate the demands of teamwork and a diversity of personalities.”