Semi-Summer jobs introduce the semiconductor industry to students

Semiconductors, such as silicon, have unique electrical properties that allow them to be used in various electronic devices, such as integrated circuits and LED lights. These materials are at the core of modern electronics and form the foundation of the microelectronics industry.

In the semiconductor world, microchips are currently a particular focus, as they are needed everywhere in daily life: in smartphones and computers, in cars and aircraft, as well as in energy, defence and transport infrastructure. 

Microchips have been a hot topic in recent years, one reason for which is the EU Chips Act. The goal of the Act is to tackle the shortage of microchips in Europe, reduce dependence on foreign operators, and improve technological sovereignty. It aims to double the EU's global market share in semiconductor production by 2030.

With a donation from five semiconductor companies (Applied Materials/Picosun, Okmetic, Murata, Bosch Sensortec and Kyocera Technologies), Aalto University can provide interesting summer jobs in 2024 for students of the Schools of Electrical Engineering, Chemical Technology and Science. These jobs are suitable for both bachelor’s and master's level students, and the content of the work is tailored based on the applicant's personal interests and skills as well as the team's research profile. Semi-Summer was first implemented in 2023, and the project has already received praise from both students and companies.

Awareness in the student body

Annukka Seppä, Communications Manager at Okmetic, highlights the importance of the semiconductor industry: “The semiconductor industry is expected to grow significantly in Finland and globally in the next few years. The industry currently employs some 7,000 experts and employees, and the number is estimated to increase to 20,000 by 2035.” 

On the other hand, the growth of the industry also introduces challenges that must be addressed: “This introduces a major challenge, i.e. a shortage of experts in the coming years. Another current challenge is the poor awareness of the semiconductor industry among young people and students,” Seppä says.

Due to the shortage of labour, the Semi-Summer jobs are a welcome development. Summer work demonstrates to students, in concrete terms, what kinds of jobs are available in the industry. Seppä comments on the attractiveness of the industry:

“What could attract students to the semiconductor industry is that it will offer plenty of jobs and interesting tasks in the future. The semiconductor industry also has an important part in many familiar everyday solutions, such as smartphones, computers, cars, and household appliances. Semiconductors can also be found in, for example, health technology and industrial solutions, as well as quantum or space technology. In other words, the semiconductor industry is an opportunity to be involved in future developments and in many safety, health, or efficiency solutions, for example, the green transition.” 

Tuomas Hollman, Director of Bosch Sensortec in Finland, also points out several interesting themes in the semiconductor industry: “The industry includes a variety of interesting challenges in many areas of technology, such as electrical engineering, physics and chemistry, but also in the commercial sector. This is a highly international growth industry.”

Hollman praises the success of Semi-Summer partnership: “It is good for students to get to know the industry at an early stage. The summer work topics, selected by Aalto, were also apt and interesting from the businesses’ perspective." In Hollman's view, some students could continue working on their master's theses at Bosch as early as in the autumn.

Annukka Seppä says that the students will also be of interest to companies in the future, such as for master's thesis and intern positions. Seppä is pleased with the partnership and sees it as a direct benefit for both students and companies: 

“The Semi-Summer job campaign increases awareness of the industry, especially among Aalto University students. We hope that the students selected for various research groups during the summer have a good and interesting experience, retaining retain their interest in the field and the companies involved in the campaign. Semi-Summer jobs are a very good springboard for the industry that opens up opportunities for, for example, thesis and intern positions at the companies.”