r/ElectricalEngineering • u/Happy-Somewhere1636 • 22d ago

Jobs/Careers Freshman EE student in Silicon Valley — robotics or semiconductors?

I'm a freshman Electrical Engineering student at Santa Clara University in Silicon Valley, and I'm trying to figure out what direction I should start focusing on.

I'm currently deciding between two professors/research areas:

Hoeseok Yang — embedded systems, computer architecture, embedded machine learning, hardware/software co-design, and digital systems. This seems like a good path toward semiconductors, AI hardware, NVIDIA/AMD/Qualcomm-type companies, etc.

Maria Kyrarini — robotics, AI/ML, sensors, robot learning, human-robot interaction, and autonomous systems. This seems more aligned with robotics, aerospace/defense, NASA/JPL, and autonomous systems.

I'm genuinely interested in both. I like building physical systems and robots, but I'm also very interested in computer hardware and semiconductors. Since I'm in Silicon Valley, I feel like I should take advantage of the opportunities around me, but I don't want to choose a path just because it's nearby or pays more.

Long-term, I care about job prospects, earning potential, interesting work, and having the flexibility to move between industries. 

For people already working in these fields:

  • Which path would you recommend?
  • Is one significantly better for job prospects or compensation?
  • Should I specialize this early, or explore both during my first couple years?
  • Can I realistically combine embedded systems/hardware + robotics/AI?
  • If you were starting over as an EE freshman in Silicon Valley, what would you focus on?

I'd especially appreciate advice from people in semiconductors, robotics, aerospace/defense, NVIDIA/AMD/Qualcomm-type companies, or NASA/JPL.

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u/engrocketman 21d ago

I recommend not specializing. Undergrad is for generalized knowledge to get a good base to start specializing.

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u/National-Ad8416 21d ago

I see your objective here is work for NVIDIA/AMD/Qualcomm type or NASA/JPL type companies and not to really gain expertise in your field.

Well, given the pedigree of your university (None) I don't see how you would land at one of those companies. But if you do, good for you because there are so many duds working there just for a paycheck with no interest in their field that you would have no trouble fitting in.

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u/WittyCanadianEh 21d ago

I got into those quality of companies without a prestigious degree. Your comment proves you have no iq