Working with the Industry

Being a Graduate Student while working in the Industry

The GGHA offers various opportunities for graduate students to connect with industry to gain practical experience and enhance their employability through industry-engaged research. There are three main pathways to engage with the industry, and it is often beneficial to participate in various programs that build relationships with industry mentors (ie. Seed Central):

Working in the industry while enrolled in GGHA: This often involves a company covering the cost of education, allowing PhD or MS students to work full-time, take classes, and conduct research of mutual interest with a faculty mentor.
Completing an internship while enrolled in GGHA: Students engage in professional and/or research experiences outside of UCD to achieve academic and career goals. (ie. through the Carrier Center; professional societies or trade associations (ie. ASTA), directly through a company internship program (-e.g. Bayer Crop Science) or by building opportunities more independently.
Mentorship by industry professionals.

FAQs

Why is this a good option for the industry?
- Opportunity for professional development and training of employees
- Creating new market value through research partnerships
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities and expertise that may not be available in your company
- Connection with academia to strengthen science and innovation
Why is this a good option for graduate students ?
Support for graduate education, including tuition and fees.
Strengthen experience and skills relevant for success and employability in the industry.
Expand networking opportunities.
Build research, communication and education skills.
Engage with academia to learn more through coursework and peers .

Things to consider

Working for the industry while enrolled in GGHA:
- Have clear communication with the industry mentor and align expectations.
- An MS and a PhD must produce publishable thesis work. Note a thesis is published in the library.
- Invest in fostering connections between academia and industry mentors.
- Build mutual understanding by clarifying timelines, contributions and financial terms/contracts clearly defining what is confidential and what will be eventually published and included in the thesis, before beginning research.
- Be in close contact with GGHA Graduate Coordinator and guidance committees to plan coursework and complete degree requirements while engaging with the industry.
- Invest in coursework that involves effective time management skills and developing a well-thought-out plan.
- Grow your network of mentors to support both your academic and work objectives.
Doing an internship while enrolled in GGHA:
- Discuss with your Major Professor before starting or applying for an internship.
- Make sure that the internship will benefit your academic and career goals.
- Map out a good time to do an internship and have a discussion with your academic advisors about feasibility.
- Think of ways that the work will be part of your dissertation.
- Clarify expectations: What is the time commitment expected by the internship and by you? Is it offsite, transportation, additional living costs, work visas, etc? What are expectations by employer at end—reports, draft paper, surveys? Should you get a credit or it will be paid or both? Students can earn academic credit for internships by working with a faculty sponsor and completing the necessary paperwork.
- Understand rights: What are the confidentiality limitations? Who owns the results (rarely is it or should it be the intern)? What are publication opportunities and limitations?

Mentorships by industry professionals

There are several mentorship opportunities with industry professionals in Agriculture available through FFAR, Seed Central (seedcentral.org), National Association of Plant Breeders Borlaug Scholars plantbreeding.org/scholarships/borlaug-scholarships/), Crops Science Golden opportunity scholars (https://www.agronomy.org/awards/view/137) and others across fields of study relevant to Horticulture and Agronomy.

Why apply for mentorship opportunities?
- An opportunity to learn about what might be expected in a career in the agriculture industry.
- What knowledge, skills, and experiences should graduate students prepare for to be successful in an industry career.
- Networking opportunities across the industry.
- Counseling on life skills, careers, early career experiences in industry and science.