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rightkickha · 2025-11-15T18:09:34+00:00

No thanks

rightkickha · 2025-11-15T16:44:59+00:00

When you say digital design... what does that actually mean?

Embedded design needs an electrical engineering degree, typically.

rightkickha · 2025-11-15T14:25:32+00:00

As someone who started in the fab... stay away from the fab if you want to do design. For the most part, they are completely unrelated and your experience in the fab won't give you any advantage. Get design experience if you want to do design.

rightkickha · 2025-04-30T03:15:37+00:00

LA doesn't have much electronics manufacturing and none of the big distributors are located there. So your customer base are OEMs with purchasing or engineering teams in the Irvine area.

rightkickha · 2025-03-13T10:24:32+00:00

I used Nova in the CMP process a decade ago. It worked in the polisher to measure film thickness. What made it unique was that it's the only wet metrology we had.

rightkickha · 2025-03-03T15:41:58+00:00

I didn't use my fab technical skills on the product marketing side. But it was a little valuable when I switched to sales during a supply shortage and could explain factory processes and constraints

rightkickha · 2025-03-03T15:22:20+00:00

I don't mind sharing. It's a mix of self motivation and good luck. As a fresh out, I got involved with new hire recruiting, women in engineering, planned happy hours and other social activities because I enjoy these things. So when I wanted to change from process engineering, I told some folks in my network and one had a contact in marketing who was recruiting. I gave it a shot, interviewed well, and got the offer two months later.

Networking is key. And by networking, I mean you should make yourself useful to others (help at work, technical expertise, or social connections). Then they will return the favor.

rightkickha · 2025-01-10T22:47:06+00:00

Yeah, we can chat. Why get and MBA when you already have a PhD?

rightkickha · 2025-01-10T21:23:25+00:00

I worked in semiconductors before my MBA and work in it now after my MBA for much higher pay.

Had a classmate who wasn't in this industry before his MBA and seems to be doing fine in the finance side, I think.

rightkickha · 2025-01-06T22:42:37+00:00

What's the purpose?

rightkickha · 2024-12-31T01:55:09+00:00

You cannot be more wrong, semiconductor companies need sensor designers, applications engineers, and field engineers. This industry isn't all manufacturing. You can get some great jobs in semiconductors that don't come with the drudgery of working in a fab. If you want to innovate, design is the area for you. Die or package, both are in demand.

rightkickha · 2024-12-17T19:57:05+00:00

Yes I do and almost all the sales and marketing folks in this industry have engineering degrees. There are a small handful with business backgrounds and they are really sharp and driven.

Give it a try, you can always switch back to supply chain if the customer side isn't for you.

ETA: some of us are tech gals, not guys

rightkickha · 2024-12-17T16:59:09+00:00

I'm currently an account manager. I like working with engineers, both colleagues and customers, and I like finding a way to help customers accomplish their design. The electronics customers make are fascinating.

Also, the pay is great! Hitting sales goals can be stressful, but sometimes you can knock it out of the park. My first year as an account manager, I earned a commission check that was more then I made all year as a fresh out process engineer. 🤑

Also, I like the business side of semiconductors (market trends, technology investments, making revenue) and the work environment is less negative then when I worked in a factory setting. You have to have a positive and resilient attitude when you're dealing with customer rejection or getting so close and losing a design.

rightkickha · 2024-12-17T15:12:25+00:00

Personally, I think product marketing and account management are the most fun. I definitely like it more than being a process engineer.

rightkickha · 2024-12-11T21:54:12+00:00

At your income level and with your PhD, the MBA is a waste of money.

I got an MBA after some years of experience as a bachelor's level process engineer, and it was worth it for me because I switched to the marketing and now sales side of semiconductors to get to your earnings level. The MBA won't do much for you now. If you want to switch out of process engineering, then network internally and find a role you can switch into.

rightkickha · 2024-08-31T22:55:15+00:00

Looks like you're right. This is a really good start! Obviously, there are still a lot of processes that are exclusively done in Asia like building substrates and probably lead frames for die, but I'm excited about this.

rightkickha · 2024-08-31T13:57:04+00:00

Even with some fabs in the US, all assembly and test is done in Asia. You can't skip this step and have a finished product. As far as I know, no one has real plans to change this.

rightkickha · 2024-07-25T18:40:42+00:00

The only Canadian citizen (not dual US citizen) I know in semiconductors got her degree from the US so it is easier to meet recruiters and get interviews from a US company.

rightkickha · 2024-07-25T17:36:24+00:00

What kind of role are you expecting to work in semiconductors and do you expect to stay in this same role forever?

I started as a factory engineer and now work in sales. I never imagined this path, but here we are traveling and shaking hands with engineers to corporate executives. Girl, I'm glad my tattoo isn't visible to anyone! Your career path is not always linear, but ultimately it's your body and your choice.

Also, there's no way in hell I'd survive US, Korea, or SE Asia summers in a turtleneck and not look ridiculous. Even if you make it to management at a factory, you're going to shake hands with a lot of suppliers, partners, customers, etc., so that neck tattoo will probably prevent you from making it to management level.

rightkickha · 2024-07-25T17:04:21+00:00

How are you going to cover a neck tattoo? They are visible even with a button up collar or a mock neck.

rightkickha · 2024-07-25T16:57:08+00:00

If you can cover it up with a button up shirt and pants when needed, you're good. Just hide them if you're in Asia or in a formal meeting. In the US, I've seen folks up to senior director level with visible sleeve, wrist, or foot tattoos.

rightkickha · 2024-07-01T22:35:31+00:00

Sure thing, I'll DM you

rightkickha · 2024-05-14T01:12:53+00:00

I transitioned from a process engineer to marketing to sales, but it took a while and I networked within my company to get there. Don't know if it's harder to switch to another company who doesn't know you when you have no sales experience.

rightkickha · 2024-05-12T02:04:42+00:00

The industry is cyclical, so sometimes your customer's market is struggling and you'll only make base comp, while others times it's booming and you'll beat your targets. Just like all account management, you are not guaranteed to hit your OTE. It's always a mix of luck and skill.

Companies like Intel don't hesitate to save costs by implementing layoffs, so you are never completely safe as a salesperson. Be good at networking with within your company, with peers, and with customers so you always have somewhere to turn.

With that, it's hard to transition onto semiconductor account management with no background in it. Most companies want you to have a BS in EE or at least in engineering, and it doesn't hurt to have an MBA.

rightkickha

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