Microelectronics is one of the most robust fields of modern high technology, becoming essential to the advancement of many major industries. Its expanded capabilities are enabling advances that are expected to significantly increase the demand for skills in various engineering, scientific, and related technology fields.
That’s why the School of Integrated Engineering, the newest branch of Arizona State University’s Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering, prepares students to succeed in businesses where innovation is the lifeblood.
Those were among the key messages trumpeted at the school’s recent Microchip and Supplyframe DesignLab workshop, where leaders and experts from both companies met on ASU’s West Valley campus, where the new school is based. gathered to give students a complete picture of the possibilities for a rewarding engineering career. with microtechnology.
More than 30 students heard from multiple subject matter experts from various operations at Microchip Technology, Inc., headquartered in Chandler, Arizona. The company has approximately 25,000 employees across its various businesses and more than 100,000 customers in the automotive, aerospace, defense, communications and computing industries, and consumer services markets.
“The idea for this workshop began as a collaboration between ASU’s Center for Expanding Participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and Microchip, which is interested in connecting with engineering educators. ” said Sean Jordan, Interim Director of the Integrated Graduate School. engineering.
“The company wants to expose students to a variety of STEM career paths and support schools in their efforts to communicate that message,” Jordan said.
Ganesh Moorthy, President and CEO of Microchip Technologies, advised the students on how to effectively set the stage for their journey into the microelectronics industry and success in the field. Photographer: Erika Gronek/ASU
Relationships that build your career
Microchip and leaders of Supplyframe DesignLab, which provides Design-to-Source Intelligence to help companies improve productivity and market resiliency, held a workshop, “Introduction to Electronics Design,” on September 6th at the West Valley campus. .
Corporate speakers spoke to students about the opportunities, challenges, problems, expectations, and aspirations that someone entering the microelectronics field is likely to experience or encounter.
This event was partially funded by grants from the National Science Foundation and the Accelerating Latino Representation in STEM Education (ALRISE) Alliance. ALRISE focuses on promoting diversity, especially among Latinx students, and increasing higher education institutions’ participation in science and technology. , Engineering and Mathematics.
“Microchip wants to build and diversify its future workforce,” said Jennifer Gaetano, the company’s senior manager of integrated global corporate marketing.
“We recognize that there are opportunities to leverage and build relationships with engineers, and one of our goals is to collaborate with university academic programs to build those relationships. ,” she says.
Gabriel Noga, ALRISE Alliance Program Coordinator at the University of Phoenix, said the event was a good first step toward realizing the broad and ambitious goals that formed the basis of the ASU workshop.
“I think collaboration will soon begin between the workshop participants to build sustainable partnerships and find ways to work together for the benefit of students,” says Noga.
Students attending the workshop learned not only about the rigorous technical advances made possible by advances in microelectronic design, but also about the more artistic and whimsical creations that the technology can produce. Photographer: Erika Gronek/ASU
Paving the way to a pioneering industry
At the workshop, students gave presentations with active participation. Giovanni Salinas, Senior Product Development Engineer at Supplyframes, guided students through hands-on exercises to help them understand the components, techniques, and production processes needed to design, build, and manufacture microelectronic components and systems.
Majenta Strongheart, director of Suppyframe DesignLab, worked with Salinas to develop the curriculum for the sessions. This session was part of a series of workshops the company has led at events across the United States and in other countries.
“At the end of the session, I heard one of the students in attendance say, ‘This is why I went into engineering school.’ We’re excited to be able to do something like this,” Stronghart said. says. “Guiding students into the industry is part of our overall mission.”
That’s why he participated in the workshop, said Yarenzi Soto Martinez, a first-year student studying for a degree in engineering science with a focus on business in the School of Integrated Engineering.
A curriculum that teaches both the engineering and business aspects of various industries is especially valuable, Martinez said.
She also finds a close-knit community within the school and ASU’s West Valley campus. Mr. Martinez plans to participate in the school’s upcoming events that will provide opportunities to make connections with the industry.
“I really enjoyed the practical part of this workshop,” Martinez said, adding that she hopes to find an internship that offers a similar experience.
Kevin Shepard, an undergraduate engineering science major with an emphasis in microelectronics, said the workshop provided a glimpse into the multidimensional high-tech expertise that will be essential to the evolution of the field and deepened his understanding of the field. He says that it has become even deeper.
“Not all Microchip employees studied microelectronics,” Sheppard said, noting that students in the Fulton School’s electrical and mechanical engineering and computer science programs are working toward industry employment. He pointed out that he was going.
Sean Jordan (center), Interim Director of the School of Integrated Engineering, speaks during a workshop with Foundation Professor Vernon Morris (left) and Microchip Academic Program Manager David Paroian. Jordan and his colleagues plan to hold another introductory microelectronics workshop for students in October. Photographer: Erika Gronek/ASU
Insight into the inner workings of your business
The workshop also featured Ganesh Moorthy, President and CEO of Microchip Technology, who provided guidance to students on piloting courses into corporate and technical environments in the microelectronics industry. I led a session with other corporate leaders about giving.
Moorthy, a member of the Semiconductor Industry Association Board of Directors, told students they need more than advanced education in STEM subjects. He advised them to also learn communication and relationship-building skills, and to understand the business and corporate priorities that shape the high-tech industry’s operational objectives.
He says the workshop provided students with valuable practical lessons that will help them prepare for further education to pursue roles in the semiconductor field and broader microelectronics industry.
“In addition to the collaborative skills learned by working as a team, the technical learning our students experience is essential to what they will need to know as they begin their professional journey,” Moorthy said. I say. “Microchip is pleased to support this workshop and invest in innovation and technology for future engineers.”
School President Jordan said he is in talks with business leaders from a variety of industries to explore further collaboration with the school’s faculty, staff and students.
Already scheduled is the Introduction to Electronics Design Microchip Workshop event by teams from Microchip Technology and SupplyFrame Design Labs on October 4 in the Tooker House classroom on ASU’s Tempe campus.
