Many of California's high-tech industries are looking for science graduates with business acumen, and they are willing to provide guidance and support for programs designed to produce them, according to a new study released by CCST.

Industry Perspective of the Professional Science Master's Degree report, presented to the California State University (CSU) Chancellor's office in January, gathers detailed perspectives from 36 high-tech corporate executives, including 11 CEOs, on the proposed expansion of the Professional Science Master's (PSM) degree. The PSM is a two-year master's level degree that is designed to prepare professionals for work outside academia, combining theoretical knowledge with practical applications and business acumen. CSU Chancellor Charles Reed requested that CCST assist a coalition of 15 CSU campuses seeking to establish and/or enhance PSM programs with the assistance of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, by conducting a qualitative study on industry's level of interest.

CCST contacted companies from a range of high-tech sectors projected to grow in the coming years and held focus group meetings in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego, in addition to conducting phone interviews with other executives. Thirty six companies ranging from IBM Almaden to Pixar to HRL Laboratories offered extensive input on the degree programs and on the graduate employment needs of high-tech industry in general.

The most supportive of the PSM concept were the largest companies and those involved in interdisciplinary or emerging fields, including nanotechnology and environmental technology, as well as government agencies.

Based on the material gathered, the report offered the following suggestions for the CSU:

• The PSM program must establish credibility in order to be accepted on a widespread basis.
• In order to succeed, the PSM must be targeted to industries where it is best suited.
• Industry and universities need to develop better working relationships.
• Statewide partnerships should be explored which best leverage the resources of the CSU.