WOMEN IN NANO FOUNDER AIMEE PRICE (LEFT) AND MARGARET KINDLING, SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER AT THE SEMI FOUNDATION.
Semi Foundation Highlights Emerging Careers in Second Annual Event
Columbus, OH More than 400 students participated in Semiconductor Day at The Ohio State University, gathering to engage with industry leaders and explore emerging opportunities within the expanding field. This marks the event’s second consecutive year hosted on the university’s campus.
“We are proud to host Semiconductor Day at Ohio State, providing our students and those from schools across the region with invaluable opportunities to engage with industry leaders and explore the cutting-edge technologies shaping our future,” said Alissa Comella, associate vice president of Corporate Partnerships in the Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge. “Events like these highlight the university’s commitment to preparing students for success in the rapidly evolving field of technology.”
A semiconductor is a material, typically a solid chemical element or compound, that has electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator. It can be modified in its conductivity by introducing impurities or by applying electrical fields, making it a fundamental component in electronic devices such as transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits.
“Everything that has an on and off switch has a semiconductor,” said Margaret Kindling, senior program manager at the Semi Foundation. “This is a growing industry and ecosystem where there is a great demand. We want students to be able to take advantage of these emerging careers.”
Sixteen businesses, including Intel and Nikon, provided sessions on the emerging careers they are providing around semiconductors, gave resume tips and provided speed mentoring sessions. Attendees were encouraged to register for the event regardless of their academic background, with students majoring in Engineering, Business (Statistics, Analytics), Computer Science, Chemistry, Data Science, Materials Science, Mathematics, and Physics strongly encouraged to attend.
The event featured a variety of interactive sessions, including “Ask an Expert,A Day in the Life and Tales from a Recent Grad.” Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in speed mentoring sessions, receive resume reviews, learn interviewing tips, and explore internship opportunities.
“I saw this was happening and I felt like I needed to be here because I want to be prepared for the future,” said Krysten Holmes, fifth year student studying Integrated System Engineering. “Seeing all the different companies makes me feel there is a niche for everyone here to be successful.”
Following Semiconductor Day, Kindling participated in Ohio State’s Women in Nano (WIN) networking discussion. The event series strives to foster a nurturing community of women, establish fresh networking opportunities, and cultivate enthusiasm for fields related to micro- and nanotechnology.
Published April 15, 2024 by the Office of Innovation and Economic Development.