Browsing EMC’s internal job postings is a hobby of mine. After acquiring roughly 50 companies since the turn of the century, there is no shortage of opportunities that represent a fresh start in a new division. Taking one of these positions is like “leaving the company without leaving the company”.
Here is a great example:
RSA Laboratories: Full-time Research Scientist positions
RSA Laboratories invites applications for full staff positions with a focus on machine learning / data mining for security applications.
That’s Interesting
This posting caught my eye. It is a full-time position for what will clearly be a growth industry this decade: data mining. The research could result in dozens of jobs for young computer scientists with strong math skills.
The opportunity represents three areas for career growth: data mining, machine learning, and information security.
Better yet, the job location is Cambridge, MA; right in the heart of EMC’s research relationships with MIT, Harvard, BU, Northeastern, VMware, Microsoft, etc.
When a long-time EMCer considers transferring to an acquired division within EMC (RSA in this case) it is typically a win-win scenario. The individual gets to play with all the new toys and technologies (e.g. big data, security algorithms, machine learning), and the hiring manager acquires information storage expertise. This works in reverse as well (when employees from acquired companies transfer into a long-time EMC division).
Sometimes these transfers don’t pan out. Each division has a specific type of DNA that is not necessarily a match for an interested job seeker.
But there’s no harm trying.
I’m in Cambridge once a month, and know many members of the RSA Labs team. In my discussions with them about this position I came to a pretty surprising conclusion.
I don’t have a prayer to get this cool job!
Outside-In versus Inside-Out
Research efforts at EMC accelerated with the formation of the EMC Innovation Network five years ago. This network offered long-time EMCers a chance to do more “applied research”. Daily responsibilities in business units were augmented with research activities. For example, in the last two years I’ve been extended the opportunity to learn, study, and work on such areas as data provenance (Harvard) and data visualization (MIT Media Lab).
I’m carrying my experience to the local academic community; bringing it from the inside and sharing it with the outside. I return with new knowledge, but it’s basically “inside-out” research from EMC’s point of view.
The RSA position is “outside-in”. They will be looking for an expert with existing, strong ties to the academic community. This individual would already know all the main players, trends, lingo, technologies, and tools when it comes to data mining and related areas. RSA Labs would look to leverage this person’s network and knowledge to bring a fresh perspective into the corporation. In return the expert would join a company that knows how to build, execute, and deliver new prototypes and products.
What a great job. If you are interested in the full posting, you can read it here.
Good luck. I’m jealous.
Steve
Twitter: @SteveTodd
