Part of the problem is that very few people at Universities know anything about industry. Of course, many academics think they do know industry, especially if they consult, but industrial scientists know that, most of the time, consulting is simply a way for academics to find good research ideas.

In some circumstances, of course, consultants really help a lot, and some tremendous consultants do so reliably. To do so, they must be immune to the great academic disease of “changing the problem into one you can solve” instead of solving the difficult problem that has to be dealt with by the industrial scientist.

However, consulting, whether effective of not, never exposes the consultant to one moment of reality in the industrial world.

I will add that while it is great that some freshman started a company, it is a lot easier to start a company than to keep one going. I wish them luck.

I offer these comments as an experienced academic and industrial scientist, and highly experienced consultant.

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