As a project technician in Boston, Cheryl Major focuses on research and
development.
"My responsibilities cover a vast array of disciplines," says Major. "The
environment of research and development is quite different than a production-based
organization. While working side by side with some of the brightest scientists
in the industry, the work changes from day to day. From proof-of-concept to
pilot production, no two days are alike."
It's difficult to describe Major's role without using a lot of technical
terms. Here's how Major describes her work:
"In my role as a project technician, my primary responsibility is to take
a process concept and run through hands-on experimentation of the product,"
says Major. "The primary process steps involve work with photolithography,
wet chemical processing, metallization, dry chemical etching, diffusion and
oxidation, and metrology."
It's complex work. But most of Major's training came on the job rather
than at college or university. This is not unusual for semiconductor technicians.
"I especially love working with the level of detail that I do," says Major.
"I get to study atomic-level structures of our materials and get to run some
uniquely sensitive machines.
"My experience with a variety of metrology tools has gained me some advanced
responsibilities in my career," she says. "At [my previous employer], despite
my lack of a technical degree, I was promoted to process engineer because
of the level of experience and knowledge I brought to the company. With that,
I was given a level of autonomy that allowed me to excel in this field."
Major didn't plan on entering the high-tech industry. She sort of stumbled
into it.
"I had just moved from the Midwest to New Hampshire and had contacted a
temp service to help me find a job," says Major. "And the temp service sent
me to a company in town.... I was given a tour of the facility and still had
no idea of what they did when I left. They offered me a job as a level 1 production
operator, which I accepted.
"I have always had an interest in how things work, which has turned out
to be a valuable quality in this line of work," Major says.
"Oftentimes, troubleshooting a process issue requires breaking it down
to the most fundamental steps to identify the culprit. The relationship between
one step and another is critical in finding where process improvements can
happen. It's that level of detail that I enjoy most about the work I do."
Major offers a few suggestions to students interested in the field:
"If you're lucky enough to live near an area that has a high-tech industry,
review their job openings and the job descriptions for their technicians,"
says Major.
"I would also advise someone considering this career to look into technician
courses, even if they do not pursue a final degree. Fundamental knowledge
of chemistry, algebra, statistics, etc. will give them a clear advantage in
their career choice."
"Do well in everything," advises Stan Kohan. He's an engineering technology
professor. "Useful courses will be electronics, computer skills, machine shop
and drafting."
Kohan says there are certain personal qualities that are helpful for semiconductor
technicians. "Enjoy the challenge of troubleshooting and solving technical
problems [and] work well in a team environment and observe safety and maintenance
guidelines."
Kohan has worked in the engineering and automation field for more than
30 years. His work has included missile guidance and tracking system projects
for the U.S. Army, and Apollo and space shuttle simulation projects at NASA/Johnson
Space Center. He has also designed automation and control systems for semiconductor
manufacturing equipment.
Kohan teaches engineering technology at Richland College in Dallas. The
school offers an associate's degree focused on semiconductor manufacturing.
"A graduate might work in a clean room maintaining manufacturing equipment,
provide facilities support or assist in a research and development setting,"
says Kohan. "Equipment techs are often hired and trained by the equipment
suppliers, and then work on a contract basis with clients."
Kohan offers this advice for young people considering a career as a semiconductor
technician: "Be flexible, willing to travel, and learn a foreign language."
Kevin Baker became an electronics technician because of a longstanding
interest in technology.
"I've always had a fascination with technology and always admired people
who could work well with their hands and could fix things," says Baker.
"What really made me decide to enter the electronics field
was a desire to figure out how things worked and more importantly how to correct
things that didn't work."
Semiconductor technicians are just one type of electronics technician.
But there are certain qualities that all electronics technicians should have,
regardless of their area of specialty. (Baker specializes in electronics systems
associated with public safety communications.)
"First and foremost is an analytical mindset," says Baker. "An electronics
technician must be able to determine what is deficient or missing and how
to correct or implement the solution. If you're the kind of person who enjoys
a variety of tasks and responsibilities and has a keen interest in technology,
then this just might be the perfect fit."