Earlier quoted context omitted.
This honestly sounds like there is some real shady shit going on behind the scenes by the heads of these two companies. Reminds me of the whole VFX / software engineering union debacle with Steve Jobs / Lucas / etc that eventually came out and was super duper illegal.
I’d love to hear more about that debacle, but everything I’m finding is just another Jobs-Pixar hagiography. Any pointers on how to learn more?
Purdue Starts Comprehensive Semiconductor Degree Programs in U.S.
81–90 of 165 posts
Re: Purdue Starts Comprehensive Semiconductor Degree Programs in U.S.
#82As 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…
My dad was a EE professor specializing in semiconductor fabrication and he warned me away from a career working at semiconductor labs. He has warned me about every single warning of this post.
Re: Purdue Starts Comprehensive Semiconductor Degree Programs in U.S.
#83Earlier 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.
Plenty of options out there. ASU, Arizona, Florida, etc all have online CS or SWE bachelor programs but there are many others as well. Good Luck!
Re: Purdue Starts Comprehensive Semiconductor Degree Programs in U.S.
#84Can someone explain how is this field of study different than already existing Electrical Engineering ? Sounds like a marketing ploy by Purdue.
Re: Purdue Starts Comprehensive Semiconductor Degree Programs in U.S.
#85Earlier 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…
EE in general is a problematic career path in the US. Microelectronics is more so due to the even more limited employment options. All but a few niche fab operators are multinationals and you're directly competing with cheaper offshore labor. Government initiatives aren't going to change this arrangement.
EE isn't only working at a fab. Most EE's I know work at fabless design houses and make a good living, albeit with some crunch periods. I think it's the chemists who are stuck with the fabs.
Re: Purdue Starts Comprehensive Semiconductor Degree Programs in U.S.
#86Earlier quoted context omitted.
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.
The industry doesn't have a talent shortage, which explains the working conditions. There will always be grad students who think "Cool! I get to do research involving quantum mechanics!"
Trust me, I've tried to talk them out of it and never succeeded.
Re: Purdue Starts Comprehensive Semiconductor Degree Programs in U.S.
#87As 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 wanted to go into semi 2007-2009. Fortunately, I stumbled on two one very senior TSMC engineers who kind of became informal mentors to me, and they talked me off. And by the way were with Morris Chang at ITRI.
Points they told:
1. A mandatory PhD just to get at internship
2. Few years of unpaid internship needed to get a coffee porter job, before you are let anywhere close to the process
3. A postdoc is required to get a real R&D cred
4. 7-10 years in R&D sweatshop before any real promotion
5. Get very lucky
6. In 20-30 years of career, you can get to a VP level, where you can hold the company by the balls with critical knowledge. Then... and only then, you will look up to a 7 digit salary.
Re: Purdue Starts Comprehensive Semiconductor Degree Programs in U.S.
#88Earlier quoted context omitted.
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.
But this is an online program.
Graduate program has an online option; undergraduate program does not.
Re: Purdue Starts Comprehensive Semiconductor Degree Programs in U.S.
#89Earlier 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…
TLDR: band gaps are not for the feint of heard :D
"The answer's not in the box, it's in the band."
Re: Purdue Starts Comprehensive Semiconductor Degree Programs in U.S.
#90Can someone explain how is this field of study different than already existing Electrical Engineering ? Sounds like a marketing ploy by Purdue.
There's a lot more chemistry.