Talking Technicians

In this episode, you’ll meet Angelo who transitioned from his role as a Tesla production associate at Giga Texas into the semiconductor field. Angelo talks about his daily responsibilities, compensation, and schedule of an entry-level position at Tesla. Angleo balances full-time employment with weekend studies at Austin Community College, where he has completed practical coursework in semiconductor manufacturing, vacuum systems, and electronic fundamentals in order to secure his upcoming position at Samsung as a maintenance technician. Angelo’s guidance for future technicians includes just taking that initial leap forward, maintaining curiosity, embracing new possibilities, and approaching colleagues with humility and kindness.

Links from the show:

The Micro Nano Technology Education Center, MNT-EC: https://micronanoeducation.org

Jobs at Samsung: https://www.samsung.com/us/careers/ 

Austin Community College Semiconductor Manufacturing Program: https://programs.austincc.edu/school-of-advanced-manufacturing/semiconductor-manufacturing/

In this episode, you’ll meet Elinor, who works as a principal maintenance technician at GlobalFoundries in Malta, New York. Elinor shares her journey about how she started to work in semiconductor manufacturing. Listen to how Elinor advanced professionally, and all the benefits to working at GlobalFoundries. Hear how Elinor enrolled in community college, overcame hurdles, and built a successful career as a technician in our nation’s crucial semiconductor manufacturing industry.

Links from the show:

The Micro Nano Technology Education Center, MNT-EC: https://micronanoeducation.org

Careers at GlobalFoundries: https://gf.com/careers/

In this episode, you’ll meet Hans. Hans is a cross-SEM team supervisor at Lam Research in Tualatin, Oregon. Hans made the move from Minneapolis, MN to Portland, OR back in 2016, originally joining Lam Research as a microscopy technician. Hans shares that technicians can expect a competitive salary, along with great benefits like healthcare. He also talked about how his specialized education in the nanoscience program at Dakota County Technical College prepared him for a successful career in the semiconductor industry.

Links from the show:

The Micro Nano Technology Education Center, MNT-EC: https://micronanoeducation.org

Careers at Lam Research: https://careers.lamresearch.com/careers

Microscopy Technician Training Program (MTTP) - Lam Research : https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.lamresearch.com/mttp/*enroll__;Iw!!Ka_JY85zDv0FFw!gGR-CyhQyS4dI0FP_wrJq63ZraRK7Txb6ZYNo3a5Jk__F0Ge6b1Wx4ZhXllLvJmAQUjZ4XDFiv0iIbgs4ms4fVWvGGqBa9w$

Ed is a clean room production technician at New York Creates in Albany, New York. Ed describes his work as a technician including data collection, machine operation, and process streamlining. Ed shares his career progression from a level 1 operator to a clean room production technician in just over two years. He emphasizes the importance of soft skills and communication in the semiconductor industry. Ed also shares his non-traditional career path, starting in construction and customer service, and how his role at New York Creates has provided him with stability and independence.

MNT-EC: https://micronanoeducation.org/

Talking Technicians on the Web: https://micronanoeducation.org/students-parents/talking-technicians-podcast/

NY Creates Workforce Development: https://ny-creates.org/workforce-development/

Wes is a field service engineer at Tokyo Electron in North Phoenix, Arizona. Wes discusses his role, which involves maintaining and repairing equipment for the semiconductor industry.. He notes the industry's shift towards contractor models and the benefits of full-time employment, including training opportunities and tuition reimbursement. Wes highlights his transition from the military to the semiconductor industry and the cultural diversity he encounters in the workplace. Wes advises patience and perseverance for those interested in working in the semiconductor industry.

In this episode of Talking Technicians you’ll meet Oscar Rodriguez, a technician at Jireh Semiconductor. Oscar shares his journey from Southern California to Portland, Oregon, and his transition from various service industry jobs to the semiconductor field. He discusses the importance of education, particularly the microelectronics program at Portland Community College, and the challenges he faced when he became a student. Oscar also reflects on his experiences at Jireh, the unexpected aspects of working in the industry, and offers valuable advice for aspiring technicians.

The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology Education Center, through financial support from the National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education grant program.

Opinions expressed on this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the National Science Foundation.

Join the conversation. If you are a working technician or know someone who is, reach out to us at [email protected].

Links from the show:

Episode Web Page:

https://micronanoeducation.org/students-parents/talking-technicians-podcast/

Careers at Jireh: https://www.aosmd.com/careers

This special episode is a crossover episode with the Troubleshooting Technicians Podcast. Troubleshooting Technicians is a podcast about how technicians troubleshoot and solve problems in their work. This episode features Sean from Pfeiffer Vacuum. Sean describes general troubleshooting steps and then goes into a specific example of how to troubleshoot a vacuum system. Give the Troubleshooting Technicians podcast feed a follow!

The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology Education Center, through financial support from the National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education grant program.

Opinions expressed on this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the National Science Foundation.

Join the conversation. If you are a working technician or know someone who is, reach out to us at [email protected].

Links from the show:

Episode Web Page:

https://micronanoeducation.org/students-parents/talking-technicians-podcast/

Troubleshooting Technicians on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/troubleshooting-technicians/id1835766744

Troubleshooting Technicians on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/165fyRtUJqS3L2GBtoo6E0

Pfeiffer Vacuum: https://www.pfeiffer-vacuum.com/us/en/

Ashley is an RDA process technician at Micron in Manassas, Virginia. Ashley describes her role in inspecting wafers for imperfections and ensuring high-quality chips. She works shifts from Wednesday to Saturday, earning a starting wage of $20-$25 per hour, with potential differentials for night shifts. Benefits include excellent healthcare and retirement plans. Ashley emphasizes the importance of communication and adaptability, crediting her community college education and internship at Micron for her success. She advises students to try new experiences and not be afraid to explore different career paths.

The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology Education Center, through financial support from the National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education grant program.

Opinions expressed on this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the National Science Foundation.

Join the conversation. If you are a working technician or know someone who is, reach out to us at [email protected].

Links from the show:

Episode Web Page:

https://micronanoeducation.org/students-parents/talking-technicians-podcast/

Careers at Micron: https://www.micron.com/about/careers

In this episode of Talking Technicians you’ll meet Joey, an equipment engineer at Micron in Boise, Idaho. Joey details his professional journey from being a technician to an engineer, the operations at Micron, and the skills required to excel in the semiconductor industry. Joey shares insights on salary expectations, benefits, and the importance of both technical and soft skills in the workplace. Hear Joey’s insightful advice for aspiring technicians and engineers.

The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology Education Center, through financial support from the National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education grant program.

Opinions expressed on this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the National Science Foundation.

Join the conversation. If you are a working technician or know someone who is, reach out to us at [email protected].

Links from the show:

Episode Web Page:

https://micronanoeducation.org/students-parents/talking-technicians-podcast/

Careers at Micron: https://www.micron.com/about/careers

Jose, a technician at the Kavli Nanoscience Institute (KNI) at Caltech, discusses his role in microfabrication, using equipment like ellipsometers and atomic force microscopes. He describes his daily routine, including wearing a bunny suit for safety. Jose shares his educational journey, starting from Pasadena City College, and his plans to transfer and work in a clean room. He highlights the unexpected challenges of learning new techniques and the impact of the East Canyon fire on his family, which forced them to relocate. Despite these challenges, Jose continues his studies and work, emphasizing the importance of extracurricular involvement and resilience.

The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology Education Center, through financial support from the National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education grant program.

Opinions expressed on this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the National Science Foundation.

Join the conversation. If you are a working technician or know someone who is, reach out to us at [email protected].

Links from the show:

Episode Web Page:
https://micronanoeducation.org/students-parents/talking-technicians-podcast/

Kavli Nanoscience Institute (KNI) at Caltech:
https://kni.caltech.edu/