This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to work at Micron Technology as a Process Control Engineering intern. My internship was based in Boise, Idaho, and originally being from Southern California, I didn’t know what to expect.
Being an Electrical & Computer Engineering student, I have always been curious about the semiconductor industry and the many ways my major can be applied. I didn’t know much about Process Control at first, so I took a course last semester to tackle the learning curve head-on. I learned how processes use feedforward, feedback, and combine strategies to better control outputs and meet specified targets.
During my time at Micron, I got to use my skills to design and implement solutions to reduce process variation and develop systems that simplify process control tasks. I did this by writing a script that would shape and filter data for analysis to develop control models and then use that data to create a visual dashboard, using some of the new software I was exposed to.
Aside from learning new technical skills, I also learned the importance of communication and resilience. I now understand the importance of being able to voice my thoughts and ask questions, especially when getting stuck on a problem. One of my biggest takeaways from this experience was learning to embrace my mistakes and grow from them. Instead of being shamed for not knowing the answers right away, I was encouraged to keep pushing myself and to not get discouraged by setbacks.
Although I learned a lot of technical and soft skills during my summer internship, I was also able to make new friends from all over the country, attend many of the intern events that were put on for us, explore the Boise area, and drive to the Grand Tetons for the first time. Some of the really cool events I got to attend included a talk with the CEO, Sanjay Mehrotra, a tour of the Micron fab, and Top Golf! If you’re ever in the Boise area, you should definitely explore Lucky Peak, eat at Percy’s, and try as many coffee shops as possible (they’re all so good and decorated so cute).
Overall, I had an amazing time this summer, as I not only got to learn more about Semiconductor manufacturing, but I also got to do lots of fun things with all the new people I met, which is probably my favorite part about doing internships. I feel very humbled and excited to have contributed to a company with so much upcoming growth as they focus on their Idaho and New York expansions. Go Micron!
