Student Niko Lindh: The importance of semiconductor technology is emphasised from the beginning of studies

What are your expectations for the summer job?

I hope to learn important skills for engineers, such as the ability to independently plan and perform various experiments. I also believe that working with different devices in various stages of the manufacturing process will help me broaden my knowledge and enhance my overall assessment skills. Embracing and applying a large amount of information will certainly pose its own challenges.

What is studying at Aalto in practice?

Throughout my studies, I have aimed to maintain a roughly on-track pace in completing courses to keep the workload manageable. For example, during the past academic year, this meant taking about three or four courses concurrently. In the master's phase, courses mainly consist of weekly lectures, laboratory work, and other varied projects such as poster presentations. Usually, there are only a few hours of guided programme on weekdays, and there may even be a "day off" or two in a week. Therefore, most of the work, such as writing reports, is done independently and during my own time. The more informal style of studying has suited me well as I have also been working part-time alongside my studies and have enjoyed it.

What has student life been like in practice?

During the academic semesters, life is quite free, and there is more time for friends, hobbies, and even occasional celebrations. However, deadlines in the back of your mind can sometimes cause a bit of stress. It can be challenging to find time for proper holidays, even during summers while working. As mentioned before, I have also worked a lot alongside my studies because I believe there is always a use for extra pocket money.

What has been the most interesting course?

One that comes to mind is the Microfabrication course organised by the head of my research group, which extensively covers topics related to the manufacturing of semiconductor components. During the course, we also had the opportunity to briefly experience and witness cleanroom work during a laboratory demonstration. This greatly helped me prepare for my current summer job. 

What kind of skills have you gained for the working life?

Working in summer jobs has taught me that often you find yourself in situations where you have no idea what to do, but the knowledge and skills you have acquired help you approach the problem more systematically. In other words, you know where to find the information you need and can adapt your actions through trial and error. In terms of tangible skills, I would say that learning to use various software and practicing data handling and analysis in school has been beneficial.

How do you see the future of your field?

The strong presence of companies in various career events and significant investments in new facilities and Aalto summer projects have shown that the semiconductor industry is experiencing rapid growth, and companies are willing to invest in future experts in Finland. The ever-electrifying world itself is driving progress and growth. Many companies operating in Finland are also at the forefront of the industry with their products and services, so I believe the future is very promising.

Who would you recommend this field to?

Cliché as it may sound, I would recommend it to anyone. Other summer employees and members of my research group come from very different backgrounds and educational paths. Large companies and organisations undoubtedly have room for all kinds of professionals, from the financial side to the laboratory, especially as the trend is to expand operations in Finland.

The growth of the semiconductor industry and its investments in Finland also increase the need for skilled professionals. Thanks to donations from companies in the industry such as Picosun, an Applied Materials Company, Okmetic, Murata, and KYOCERA Tikitin, Aalto University offers interesting summer job opportunities in the Schools of Electrical Engineering and Chemical Engineering in the summer of 2023. Through these summer jobs, students have the opportunity to gain expertise needed in a growing and international field. They can find their place in areas such as wafer manufacturing, sensors, or process and equipment development.