VLSI Microelectronics Career vs. Electrical Power/Distribution Career

[LinkedIn]

Hi,

I just graduated recently in Nov. 2006 in Elec. Eng. and I was wondering what are the pros/cons of starting in VLSI (microelectronics) vs. Electrical Power/Distribution?

What are the industry trends for each discipline, doing a simple search on VLSI shows a lot of results originating from India, would this easily get outsourced in the future?

It seems like Electrial Power/Distribution is more stable and almost un-outsourcable.

Also regarding electrical power/distribution, can anyone tell me the type of work with regards to building services, and infrastruture as I am really interested in that kind of area.

Also how is working in VLSI like?

Because I have recently been offered a position with a company in Japan called Fullcast Technology which they will bascially train people with a B.Sc. to become VLSI engineers to work for the electronics companies in Japan (Sony, Panasonic, etc.)

Here are some links:

http://www.fc-tec.co.jp/english/specialist/index.html

http://www.careerbuilder-japan.com/eng/

During the training there would not be any salary but it can be viewed as free (extended) education in VLSI and Japanese.

The concerns that I have is that since I do not have any industry work experience so far, I am not sure if I would like this type of work or not because during my EE education, digital design was not one of the areas that I was particularly strong in, or interested in as it was too closely related to programming and abstraction. (I understand equations and Math things much easier)

But despite these concerns, it seems like a really good opportunity but the only problem is that if I don't like the area of work, I would be committing to this thing for at least more than 1 year as the training period is 9 months.

Also Is it very important to get North American working experience for that first job?

Any opinions?

Thanks.

 

[IRstuff]

So what happens at theend of this and you don't like it? Do you get your return ticket from the company or do you pay out of pocket?

Given that a typical engineer will change jobs at least 5 time over his career, whatever you do at the start will have great personal impact, but minimal career perturbation overall.

TTFN

Eng-Tips Policies FAQ731-376

 

[MikeHalloran]

No salary, but you get to work in a fab (which is not much fun but arguably good experience).

You get to live in a company dorm, but you pay the rent, out of a salary that you might get someday.

You pay the air fare both ways.

You pay moving expenses but get reimbursed, someday, for all of 2 cubic meters, which is about right if you're used to living in a car, or half a dorm room.

It's not clear what you eat, or who pays for that. Do you like fish?

Fullcast Technology is not itself a fab owner, but contracts to provide educated fab workers who hope to become VLSI designers, and maybe also provides a few VLSI designers.

The company and its mission are mentioned here:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/world/2006-05-02-japan-econ-usat_x.htm

Call me a blackhearted pessimist if you like, but it sounds like indentured servitude to me. They told you that more politely on GaijinPot.




Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[LinkedIn]

Thanks for your opinions.

"So what happens at theend of this and you don't like it? Do you get your return ticket from the company or do you pay out of pocket?"

Yes I have to pay for it myself, thats why I am kind of cautious about this.

I guess this would be a good opportunity for those that really like VLSI or want to get in there as most of the positions in North America for this area requires lots of experience which almost all new grads don't have.

Regarding electrical power/distribution, can anyone tell me the type of work with regards to building services, and infrastruture as I am really interested in that kind of area.

 

[LinkedIn]

I don't know how I can edit posts here but I also have another question for the experienced engineers.

Most of the time, does the starting job define which areas of your disipline you will be working in the future?

For example, if you got an entry level position in power and worked at that for a few years, is it possible to later switch to another area like for example controls later, or is it harder to switch because you have no relavent experience in that other area?

 

[GregLocock]

I think having to pay your own airfare is such a trivial concern that it shouldn't feature as a deal breaker over the year.

You don't sound very keen on the whole thing.

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Agreed it shouldn't be a deal breaker, but trans-Pacific airfare is not trivial.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[wbd]

According to some industry sources, there is going to be a large demand starting in the next few years as a large number of power engineers retire. I know it is starting to happen now as I am aware of a couple utilities that have had electrical engineering positions vacant for close to 2 yrs. No viable candidates.
Additionally, I understand that Wocester Polytechnical Institute is starting up their power engineering program again after being dormant for several years due to the interest in electronics.
IMHO, I think power will give you lots of opportunities in the future, not only secure job but the opportunity to move around and live/work/play where you want.

 

[kontiki99]

I would think that power engineers could pretty much choose the reigon of the country they would like to live in.

There is a power grid almost everywhere. You limit your geographical choices as a VSLI designer.

 

[Noway2]

This post is in response to your secondary question about how your initial job influences your future career.

It has been my own personal experience that where you start does influence the type of work you do to a certain extent. I know some engineers who are doing nearly the same thing they did since the day that they graduated and are perfectly happy doing just that. In contrast to that, I am doing something completely different than what I started with, though in a related sense. I started working with software in consumer electronics and then moved into the power industry and then into the industrial controls arena. While I started with a focus on software, I now focus mostly on hardware design and project management. Each of these positions has been in what I would classify as (non PC based) embedded systems.

Where you wind up ultimately depends on what you decide to do and how motivated you are.

I would also say that given the trend of increasing need in power distribution and power requirements that the line of distinction between micro controls / VLSI and power systems is blurring rapidly and will continue to do so. As the worlds demand for power grows, especially for what I call quality power, micro and control electronics will continue to play an even larger role in meeting the needs. For example, a large UPS (uninterruptible power supply) will require both skill sets as it will likely deliver three phase 480Vac (or higher) at hundreds of amps but could be controlled by a DSP based embedded system.

 

[LinkedIn]

Thanks for all your responses.

 

[maxijp]

Hi LinkedIn,
I run across your thread on search engine.

I am an insider of Fullcast technology and I have a real experience (mostly unpleasant) to share if you would need it.

 

[LinkedIn]

Hi maxijp,

Please share your experiences. Your comments may also be helpful to other people who may be considering this opportunity and could possibily help them as this opportunity requires a really big commitment from the candidate.

 

[Sideswiper]

I would recommend looking at being a Substation Design Engineer or a Protection (Relay) Engineer in power. I think the industry will be *great* for experienced people in a few years, and power companys are finally beginning to realize that they need to hire and train new people before their workforce all retures.

 

[ScottyUK]

Sideswiper,

I agree. Part of the reason why I'm not in a blazing hurry to join the massed ranks of indifferent managers who are becoming a commodity item these days. Good managers are like good engineers - increasingly rare!



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Sometimes I only open my mouth to swap feet...

 

[JStephen]

The 9-month deal sounds like a semi-scam to me. I would avoid it.

If you spend a few years in a particular area, it's hard to get out of the field.

I would vote for whichever option you thought you'd like more- but not necessarily that specific program.