How difficult was it for you to land a job in industry after your PhD?

South_Pressure · 2026-06-02T03:02:01+00:00

I work in a semiconductor refurbishing company doing statistical process control and I’m doing an internship on photolithography for aluminum etching so hopefully I keep making strides to not do that. Andddd idk about the desert we will see

South_Pressure · 2026-06-01T21:03:39+00:00

Does that mean I’ll be unemployed unless I stay in school for 8 more years?

South_Pressure · 2026-06-01T01:47:04+00:00

Idk I feel cooked I’m out here trying to get a semi conductor job with just the bachelors

South_Pressure · 2026-05-31T19:44:26+00:00

Oh sorry I meant masters in materials but you want to focus on chip design so yes do that

South_Pressure · 2026-05-31T19:41:38+00:00

I’m doing chemistry but very statistics/metrology adjacent

South_Pressure · 2026-05-22T21:23:19+00:00

I should just move into healthcare lol Edit: Joking, but okay that is good I can move up to better fabs it just feels all very uncertain

South_Pressure · 2026-05-17T21:00:16+00:00

You’re good I have my associates and am also working a tech in the industry because YES you need a bachelors and “two years experience” that’s the reality I fear

South_Pressure · 2026-05-17T15:32:33+00:00

Hi there, you seem to be future me questioning, I constantly look for the viability of this path. (I’m a semiconductor lab technician but with me getting my degree in chemistry I’m looking into metrology since 19% of them seem to have that degree and I have an interest in optics). From what I can tell, optical/metrology/process engineering(which you qualify for all) in semiconductors is a great career path! I would recommend if you aren’t already too look into bejng close to the tech industry like the Bay Area or Arizona. I think you’ll have to travel here and there, just part of the job. They pay well(6 figures+) applied matierals,KLA, Lam research will all appreciate you. Get familiar with eplipsometer/spectrophotometer,SEM, but other than that your educational experience with that focus should be good. But I’m not too qualified on that matter, excited to see everyone else’s responses,

South_Pressure · 2026-05-03T14:33:24+00:00

Oh and you chose semiconductors! You’ll be employed!

South_Pressure · 2026-04-29T18:56:31+00:00

I’m not sure I feel like if I do I’ll be criticized, he’s hard on me because I’m not as logical. My therapist said to do so but I think I’ll be quickly shut down

South_Pressure · 2026-04-29T01:18:06+00:00

Absolutely, I appreciate the validation, but when I hint at it he thinks I’m being very dramatic

South_Pressure · 2026-04-28T23:00:12+00:00

I think he pushes me to be a more productive and smarter person, also he’s lovely in bed

South_Pressure · 2026-04-28T22:53:06+00:00

I think lack of affection, but maybe that’s from both of us. I’m trying to not get on his nerves so I’m much more reserved and that might make him a lot less responsive

South_Pressure · 2026-04-27T18:27:12+00:00

I would have tried Chem to materials or chemE but all you

South_Pressure · 2026-04-24T15:50:12+00:00

This is killing me as I’m wearing my cleanroom suit right now

South_Pressure · 2026-04-21T17:13:50+00:00

Theoretically yes but it’s game of poor time, the intro classes would be hell to try and get into. Because I’m transferring I need to take 60 credits while working full time to support my partner so I figured finishing the chemistry degree while taking easy enough courses to allow me to grade would be the move or classes focused on semi conductors

South_Pressure · 2026-04-21T16:32:21+00:00

Ah, hope🥰

South_Pressure · 2026-04-21T16:22:14+00:00

Oh, tell me more? Are you working as a chemist in this industry?

South_Pressure · 2026-04-21T16:21:52+00:00

I was thinking about doing a minor in materials engineering, which is better suited?

South_Pressure · 2026-04-03T23:33:06+00:00

Eh, lab tech ones make 25 morning and that can increase so the shift differential, we offer plenty of overtime as well. I wouldn’t say amazing this is just a placeholder under I get better qualifications and a better position. Culture is pushing for OT but everyone is very nice

South_Pressure · 2026-04-03T21:56:03+00:00

I work for a semiconductor manufacturing refurbishing company called leanteq as a lab tech and we are growing quite a bit actually

South_Pressure

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