Adrian here, author of the PyImageSearch blog. Thank you for mentioning it, I appreciate it. If anyone has any questions about computer vision, deep learning, or OpenCV, please let me know.
Within the next month I'll be launching PyImageJobs which will connect PyImageSearch readers (especially the Gurus course graduates) with companies/startups that are looking to hire.
In regards to OPs original question, I'm actually working on solving your very problem right now. About 1.5 years ago I created the PyImageSearch Gurus course (https://www.pyimagesearch.com/pyimagesearch-gurus/) with the aim of bridging academia with actual real-world computer vision problems. The course has helped readers in their academic careers, such as securing grants (http://www.pyimagesearch.com/2016/03/14/pyimagesearch-gurus-...) as well as students become practitioners and land jobs in the CV startup space (http://www.pyimagesearch.com/2017/06/12/pyimagesearch-gurus-...)
Within the next month I'll be launching PyImageJobs which will connect PyImageSearch readers (especially the Gurus course graduates) with companies/startups that are looking to hire.
Finally, I'm also working on my upcoming "Deep Learning for Computer Vision with Python" book (https://www.pyimagesearch.com/deep-learning-computer-vision-...) which is now 100% outlined and I'm on to the writing phase.
Definitely take a look and if you have any questions, please let me know or use the contact form on my website if you want to talk in private.