Upper Level EE Courses: Digital Systems for a Job at Microsoft, Intel, IBM, AMD

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the selection of upper-level electrical engineering courses for a senior student aiming to secure a job at major technology companies such as Microsoft, Intel, IBM, and AMD. Participants explore the relevance of various courses to potential career paths, particularly in hardware-related roles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the importance of course selection for future employment, listing several upper-level courses in electrical engineering.
  • Another participant emphasizes that Microsoft is primarily a software company and asks about the specific field of specialization desired by the original poster.
  • The original poster expresses interest in hardware-related products and mentions a preference for communications and signal processing, while also considering VLSI due to a positive experience in a semiconductors course.
  • The original poster clarifies areas of disinterest, specifically stating they do not want to specialize in control systems, power distribution, or power electronics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relevance of specific courses to job prospects, with some focusing on the software aspect of companies like Microsoft, while others highlight the importance of hardware knowledge. The discussion remains unresolved regarding which course would be the most beneficial for the original poster's goals.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not reached a consensus on the best course to take, and there are varying opinions on the significance of hardware versus software knowledge in relation to job opportunities at the mentioned companies.

HD555
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Does it matter which upper level course I take next year, when I'm a senior? I'm an EE major. The courses that I have narrowed it down to incude:

  • Digital Communications Theory
  • Analog Circuit Design and Implementation
  • Electro-Optic Theory
  • Digital Systems Design II
  • CMOS VLSI
  • Digital Control Systems

After I graduate, I hope to get a job at a company like Microsoft, Intel, IBM, AMD, etc... would any of these course help me towards getting into that company? I know the exact position would vary upon what job needs to be done, as all of the courses above are important... My question is geared toward which would be the best for a fundamental course? Something to have a good background in...
 
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HD555 said:
Does it matter which upper level course I take next year, when I'm a senior? I'm an EE major. The courses that I have narrowed it down to incude:

  • Digital Communications Theory
  • Analog Circuit Design and Implementation
  • Electro-Optic Theory
  • Digital Systems Design II
  • CMOS VLSI
  • Digital Control Systems

After I graduate, I hope to get a job at a company like Microsoft, Intel, IBM, AMD, etc... would any of these course help me towards getting into that company? I know the exact position would vary upon what job needs to be done, as all of the courses above are important... My question is geared toward which would be the best for a fundamental course? Something to have a good background in...


Microsoft is a software company. What field do you want to specialize in?
 
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berkeman said:
Microsoft is a software company. What field do you want to specialize in?

I was hoping to get into their hardware-related products.

As far as specializing, I don't really have a preference. I've always enjoyed communications and signal processing. I might venture into the VLSI world, since I enjoyed my semiconductors course a lot, so that's an option too.

I can tell you what I'm not interested in... these are the fields in its purest sense... as in, I wouldn't mind doing these when it needs to be done, however I don't want to be someone who specializes in it and is the "go to" guy. And they are... control systems, power distribution, power electronics, and that's it I think.
 

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