Katie Mcky

 

HARDWARE PLUS SOFTWARE EQUALS CYBER MAGIC - AND A PLETHORA OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES.

 

Today we’re in the midst of the ever-evolving Information Age, with the two main components being hardware and software.

 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth in all computer occupations is expected to increase by 22 percent. Software developer jobs will have the highest growth rate while hardware engineer jobs will also expand, making clear that career choices continue to abound in this sector.

 

Meet some of the savvy folks already working and achieving in this fast-paced field, and find out why they love working on the cutting edge of technology.

 

ROUNDS WINS BIG AT APPLIED MATERIALS

 

Carl Rounds, operations director for Applied Materials’ common solutions manufacturing group, leads an organization that designs, assembles and tests wafer-fabrication equipment. He enjoys heading a 180-person, problem-solving team.

 

“The most enjoyable thing about my job is leading a diverse team to achieve a common goal in our industry. Every day we take on new and exciting challenges to improve products and processes, and refine our approach to problem- solving. Every time we solve a problem we emerge as a much stronger organization.”

 

Rounds also enjoys being a part of a 14,000-person, Santa Clara, CA-based company that has played such a crucial role in the semiconductor sector.

 

“Most surprising to those who are unfamiliar is how instrumental Applied Materials is to the semiconductor industry,” Rounds explains. “Our company produces fabrication equipment that enables our customers to manufacture advanced chips and flat-panel displays for today’s consumer products, such as, smart phones and wearable technology. It’s amazing to look back over 22 years ago when I first joined this industry and think about all of the technologies we’ve helped make possible to improve the way people live.”

 

If you want to work in this sector, then Rounds encourages you to acquire experience as soon as possible. “I would encourage any student to engage as early as possible and seek opportunities to get hands-on experience in the semiconductor industry. Start where you are and create a small win. Accumulating small wins will increase your confidence and fuel a desire to learn and achieve more,” he advises.

 

Rounds recalls the challenges he faced when first hired: “Entering the workforce out of college was a scary time for me. I wanted to add value the first day, but did not know what to expect or how to even begin. I was in a new city, working for a big company with no family or friends. I navigated through this period by engaging with other new hires. We were able to share knowledge about the company and our roles, which helped me learn quickly.”

 

Today he’s paid to do something he’s always loved. “I’ve always enjoyed creating things and solving problems. Growing up, my mom bought me many model cars and planes that piqued my interest and curiosity in how things worked. As I grew older, my interest turned to repairing cars, so after high school, I joined the military and took up a career in electronics and mechanics. After the military I attended college where I studied electronic engineering technology,” Rounds relates.

 

He especially likes the culture at Applied Materials. “I like the fast-paced, highly interactive environment at Applied Materials. It’s an environment that enables creative solutions to solve our customers’ toughest challenges,” Rounds says.

 

If you’re looking to join Applied Materials, then visit applied materials.com/company/careers/jobs.