How hard is it to get a job in the semiconducter industry?

[DriftyPrime]

College student taking A-levels here, I've been thinking about pursuing a degree in physics for a while now, but the job prospect is making me a bit hesitant. I live in Malaysia and from what I've heard, I can't really do much with a physics degree outside of research. I had people tell me that research in Malaysia isn't really effective, and I should just get a degree in engineering. I've seen people on the internet say that I should only get a degree in physics if in interested in research, but I don't really know if I like it or not because I don't really have any experience with it. If I were to go into industry with a physics degree, what can I do?

I've read about the semiconductor industry and I think it is very interesting. Unfortunately from what I've seen, they mostly hire engineers, and I've been told that physicists do not have the technically skills an engineer has, is this true? If not, what do they do? I've watched videos of physicists doing R&D in companies such as ASML, but I don't think there are any companies doing R&D here right, or have I mistaken? Yes, I'm well aware that R&D roles require a PhD. Do physicist do anything other than R&D in the semiconductor industry?