From Classroom to Cleanroom: Career Pathways in VLSI & Semiconductor Industry

This career counselling session is designed for B.Tech, M.Tech, and PhD students pursuing Electronics, VLSI, and semiconductor-related domains. The objective of the class is to provide a clear, practical, and industry-aligned understanding of career opportunities available in the global semiconductor ecosystem.
The session explains how concepts learned in classrooms translate into real chip development, covering major roles such as digital and analog design, verification, physical design, memory design, device engineering, EDA development, and semiconductor research. Students will gain clarity on career pathways after undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral studies, including how expectations, responsibilities, and growth differ at each level.
The class also focuses on skill-building strategies, tool exposure, project selection, internships, and research opportunities that significantly influence career outcomes. Common misconceptions about VLSI careers, higher studies, and salary expectations will be addressed with realistic insights from industry and academia.
In addition, emerging areas such as AI and hardware acceleration, advanced technology nodes, and India’s growing semiconductor ecosystem will be discussed to help students understand future opportunities.
Overall, this session aims to help students make informed career decisions, plan long-term goals effectively, and build a structured roadmap toward becoming successful professionals in the semiconductor and VLSI industry.