The strong growth of the semiconductor industry and significant investments in Finland have increased the need for a new, skilled workforce. In response, a group of semiconductor companies has supported Aalto University for several years through donations to provide students with summer jobs in research groups in the field.
The Semi-Summer programme has offered bachelor’s and master’s students a direct path to developing the expertise needed in semiconductor technology and exploring the wide range of career opportunities in the field.
The programme involved Aalto University’s School of Electrical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, and School of Science. The key industry partners and funders were Okmetic, Murata, Applied Materials, Canatu, Bosch Sensortec, and SiTime.
In addition to research work, the Semi-Summer programme included two events at Aalto University and three excursion days, during which students had the opportunity to visit the participating companies.
Over the summer, students worked on diverse and technically demanding research projects across various semiconductor-related research groups at Aalto. In these research groups, students had the opportunity to work on topics such as the following:
According to Markku Sopanen, Professor in the School of Electrical Engineering, the Semi-Summer programme has exceptionally well increased the visibility of the semiconductor industry among students.
'Semiconductor-related educational offerings at Aalto have grown in recent years, and student numbers have risen sharply,' Sopanen says.
The growth and investment in the semiconductor industry in Finland is increasing the demand for skilled workers. With the support of six semiconductor companies, Aalto University has offered students the opportunity to undertake summer jobs in research groups related to the field.
Semiconductors play a crucial role in many parts of modern technology. So-called "Semi-Summer jobs" at Aalto University serve as a concrete example of a research and education partnership between the Aalto schools of technology and businesses in the semiconductor industry.
Emma got her summer job in a research group thanks to donations from companies in the semiconductor industry. The summer job confirmed her interest in the field.
