Earlier quoted context omitted.
But this is an online program.
I am happy that it is, but it's not my domain. I am trying to finish my degree in CS or a related field.
Purdue Starts Comprehensive Semiconductor Degree Programs in U.S.
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Re: Purdue Starts Comprehensive Semiconductor Degree Programs in U.S.
#72As someone working full-time in Canada, wish I could roll back my life 10+ years and get into one of the semiconductor schools. Good luck to all who are admitted into this program, looks very interesting. Link to online degree: https://engineering.purdue.edu/semiconductors/degrees#online...
Warning: nerd trap. Low wages, horrendous deadlines (tapeout), hard work. Perhaps this has changed, given that we're in a semiconductor boom cycle now, but I have my doubts. When SMIC started trying to poach TSMC talent, the response was not to make pay competitive (or even half decent), let alone in line with the massive geopolitically-relevant value being created. No, the response was a mask-off legislative crackdo…
I worked at Intel, and with process/fab people for a number of years.
Everything you're seeing in the comments is true.
Compensation is not that bad. Clearly, it'll not pay SW salaries - no engineering does. But if you're a fab person, you'll work long hours, be on call often (and you will get woken up often), and eventually will own a tool that you'll be responsible for, even when not on call.
Lots of abusive and pathological behavior, as well. And they often block internal transfers so you're basically trapped.
People with other skills (e.g. SW) get out. The rest are stuck, because they have, for example, a chemistry PhD and no other company will pay more.
See this thread from a while ago:
Re: Purdue Starts Comprehensive Semiconductor Degree Programs in U.S.
#73Earlier quoted context omitted.
That's very brave, from easy work high pay to hard word low pay.
Thats how I do feel - that better cash and more jobs = web dev, but I feel like in semico there is way more interesting and impressive stuff. Ppl who I worked with went into more web like jobs after semico But later I'd want to work as compiler engineer
Semiconductor theory is more interesting, but don't even consider it unless you love math and can do standard integrals without having to look up tables.
Also, the mistake I made when I went to grad school: Semiconductors seemed to be a "new" field compared to the rest of EE. One of my undergrad professors said "They still haven't figured out what a standard textbook should contain."
In reality, from a research standpoint, it's a very mature field. Don't expect low hanging fruit. If you're going to focus on theory, expect it'll take a number of years of dedicated study before you get to the frontier. You'll need to know quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics, and some electromagnetics, just to begin studying semiconductor theory. Then a whole bunch of specialized solid state courses. Then you start studying the specific subtopics (reading key journal papers).
> But later I'd want to work as compiler engineer
Why are you wasting time with semiconductors...?
Re: Purdue Starts Comprehensive Semiconductor Degree Programs in U.S.
#74Earlier quoted context omitted.
I am happy that it is, but it's not my domain. I am trying to finish my degree in CS or a related field.
https://ecampus.oregonstate.edu/online-degrees/undergraduate...
Unless you are going for their post-bacc (which is a really good deal), doing their full online undergrad program would be an absolute nightmare. I'd go just about anywhere else.
Re: Purdue Starts Comprehensive Semiconductor Degree Programs in U.S.
#75Earlier quoted context omitted.
Just curious, for a software engineer that only works with managed languages such as Java and Python, what kind of embedded job is easy to squeeze into? Thanks~~
If you have experience with software, learning embedded concepts isn't a huge leap. At least in my area, aerospace, defense, and automotive tend to be the biggest, easiest employers to get started with. They will hire basically anyone with a solid grasp of C, OSes, and basic computer architecture (at an undergrad level.) I find embedded really rewarding. A 20 year old embedded-C code base generally follows the same d…
Heh, or you could be me, and escape embedded. I hate staring at 20 year old legacy C or C++98 codebases, Makefiles and Autotools make me cry, and trying to debug random hardware issues with blinking LEDs or print statements (JTAG access is too optimistic) is something only the most detail-oriented person might enjoy :).
I'm exaggerating a little, but more power to those of you who suffer through it!
Re: Purdue Starts Comprehensive Semiconductor Degree Programs in U.S.
#76As someone working full-time in Canada, wish I could roll back my life 10+ years and get into one of the semiconductor schools. Good luck to all who are admitted into this program, looks very interesting. Link to online degree: https://engineering.purdue.edu/semiconductors/degrees#online...
Warning: nerd trap. Low wages, horrendous deadlines (tapeout), hard work. Perhaps this has changed, given that we're in a semiconductor boom cycle now, but I have my doubts. When SMIC started trying to poach TSMC talent, the response was not to make pay competitive (or even half decent), let alone in line with the massive geopolitically-relevant value being created. No, the response was a mask-off legislative crackdo…
How do smart folks wind up in such crappy employment conditions? Like seriously are they not unionised or something?
Re: Purdue Starts Comprehensive Semiconductor Degree Programs in U.S.
#77Most people here are dunking on this specific industry not paying enough for skilled labour but the problem is more generic- that’s how we build the society around capitalism and we still seem to value capital more than labour.
Re: Purdue Starts Comprehensive Semiconductor Degree Programs in U.S.
#78Earlier quoted context omitted.
Warning: nerd trap. Low wages, horrendous deadlines (tapeout), hard work. Perhaps this has changed, given that we're in a semiconductor boom cycle now, but I have my doubts. When SMIC started trying to poach TSMC talent, the response was not to make pay competitive (or even half decent), let alone in line with the massive geopolitically-relevant value being created. No, the response was a mask-off legislative crackdo…
I worked at Intel, and with process/fab people for a number of years. Everything you're seeing in the comments is true. Compensation is not that bad. Clearly, it'll not pay SW salaries - no engineering does. But if you're a fab person, you'll work long hours, be on call often (and you will get woken up often), and eventually will own a tool that you'll be responsible for, even when not on call. Lots of abusive and pa…
There are also some indications that Washington is increasingly viewing semiconductors as a national security issue. There could be a shift in federal funding that could make the industry more attractive to talent again.
Re: Purdue Starts Comprehensive Semiconductor Degree Programs in U.S.
#79Earlier quoted context omitted.
Warning: nerd trap. Low wages, horrendous deadlines (tapeout), hard work. Perhaps this has changed, given that we're in a semiconductor boom cycle now, but I have my doubts. When SMIC started trying to poach TSMC talent, the response was not to make pay competitive (or even half decent), let alone in line with the massive geopolitically-relevant value being created. No, the response was a mask-off legislative crackdo…
I worked at Intel, and with process/fab people for a number of years. Everything you're seeing in the comments is true. Compensation is not that bad. Clearly, it'll not pay SW salaries - no engineering does. But if you're a fab person, you'll work long hours, be on call often (and you will get woken up often), and eventually will own a tool that you'll be responsible for, even when not on call. Lots of abusive and pa…
I agree with all of this, unfortunately. I worked for Intel for two years after graduating with a PhD in EE. I learned a lot from the experience, but I can't recommend it. I work in software, now. The PhD was great, though. I loved doing semiconductor research. But make sure you work with a professor who is very good at fund raising.
Re: Purdue Starts Comprehensive Semiconductor Degree Programs in U.S.
#80As someone working full-time in Canada, wish I could roll back my life 10+ years and get into one of the semiconductor schools. Good luck to all who are admitted into this program, looks very interesting. Link to online degree: https://engineering.purdue.edu/semiconductors/degrees#online...
Semi-relates: Why don't universities offer online undergraduate programs? It's frustrating. I enrolled myself back to finish my bachelor's degree and my school offers very few or no online options for the classes I need.
> Why don't universities offer online undergraduate programs?
There's a normative and substantial laboratory aspect to ABET-accredited[1] undergraduate engineering programs.
From Criterion 7:
>> Modern tools, equipment, computing resources, and laboratories appropriate to the program must be available, accessible, and systematically maintained and upgraded to enable students to attain the student outcomes and to support program needs.
[1] https://www.abet.org/accreditation/accreditation-criteria/cr...