Michael Schütz
My internship at NXP Semiconductors Austria GmbH.
Key data
Job description: Validation Engineer for Post-Silicon Processes
Company: NXP Semiconductors Austria GmbH
Location: Gratkorn, Styria, Austria
Period: 20 February 2017 to 31 August 2017
What I did:
Before my internship began, it was decided that I would be working on my own project during this time and that this would form part of my Bachelor’s thesis. The internship related to the implementation of a communication abstraction layer – software to be used for automated measurement sequences for prototype chips. The abstraction process minimises the expenditure involved in implementing these measuring sequences and increases their reusability.
Why I enjoyed my internship:
Gaining insight into a successful international business and becoming a part of it myself, being integrated in an international team and applying learned skills in practical situations.
What I learned:
In addition to carrying out my own project, it is also important to take account of any internal processes. Time logging and version control are just two small examples which can differ significantly from company to company. However my focus was on implementing my project using the NI (National Instruments) LabVIEW software environment. I already acquired a user certificate during my Bachelor’s degree and was able to reach the next highest level during my internship.
The highlight of my internship:
On the recommendation of our company supervisor, my fellow student Gerald Ferner (he also completed an internship with NXP) and I submitted our Bachelor’s theses to National Instruments. Our two theses were selected from the many submissions and we were given the opportunity to present them at user conferences in Fürstenfeldbruck (Germany) and Vienna. In addition to the presentations, our two papers were also published in a book.
How I secured the internship:
I got talking to an employee of NXP at the ‘Future Engineers’ fair in Graz. I submitted my application and immediately received an invitation to an interview.
What I want to do in the future:
I still work for NXP but currently only max. 2 days per week due to completing my Master’s course in Electronics and Computer Engineering in Kapfenberg. Unlike before, I am now actively involved in current projects and spend most of my time in the laboratory. NXP is also very appealing to me due to its location because I live in Gratkorn.
