At this point in my career, I have spent half of my career in academia, and the latter half in industry. Having bridged this divide between the two worlds, I believe that my perspectives can be beneficial to both sides of the matter, bringing attention to ways in which collaborative partnerships between industry and academia can be enhanced. In this paper I address several classifications of topics related to the general theme of my transition from academia to the corporate world. I share an insider's perspective that I have within my current workplace regarding the academic world. Conversely, I reflect on the opposite perspectives that I recall from my academic days, and the extent to which those beliefs have been disproven or fortified since I walked away from the classroom. Finally, I address the opportunities and challenges that exist to build collaborative efforts between professionals working in both academic and industrial settings. The nature of this paper is to share anecdotal evidence as gathered through my own experiences. If nothing else, I strive to share the lessons that I have learned, while prompting thought, discussion, and perhaps even collaborative opportunities between the world that I currently work in, and the world that I left behind.
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