Imagine a world without microelectronics. No one would have cell phones or computers, no dogs or cats would have microchips to identify them if they get lost, and many medical procedures would be impossible. Working as a microelectronics manufacturer can be an interesting and useful job, with good prospects for the future.

Just like the engineers who design microelectronic chips, manufacturers need a high level of education. Many microelectronics manufacturers have Master’s or PhD degrees that help them to understand the parts that they are making. Most large universities have courses in this area, and you can already start to learn by taking courses in the sciences and mathematics at school and by studying on your own.

Some microelectronics manufacturers work with all kinds of projects. They might work with circuit boards for computers or microchips for dogs and cats, and they need to know how the different types of electronics need to be made. Others in this field specialize in a particular type of manufacturing. If you are interested in computer circuit boards, for example, you could choose to do that and work with computer companies that make their own equipment in Canada.

The word “micro” means “small,” and manufacturing microelectronics means working with very small bits of equipment. People in this trade need to have good vision and steady hands so that they can put pieces together without breaking or dropping them. Does this describe you? If you want to prepare for a job as a microelectronics manufacturer, you could already practice taking things apart and putting them back together.

Working in microelectronics manufacturing is not a very physically demanding job, but it can be very tiring for the back and eyes. When people get past a certain age, they might find the work of a microelectronics manufacturer too difficult.

If you become a microelectronics manufacturer, you will learn all kinds of skills that can apply to other fields. Doing very precise work with microelectronics can help you learn all kinds of similar jobs that require concentration.

Depending on the job, microelectronics manufacturers might work mainly with a few coworkers or with many people in a factory. Big cities are more likely to have jobs than smaller places, but sometimes unexpected places can have opportunities that larger places might not have. For example, Waterloo, Ontario has many companies that work in electronics, while larger cities might have only a few places that hire people in this field. If you are willing to move for a job, you will likely find it easier to get work in this field.

Like in many other trades, the salaries that microelectronics manufacturers earn vary quite a bit from one part of the country to another. Experience can also make a difference in how much people earn. In general, salaries start at about $34,400 and can rise to more than $64,000. Many people in this field work fairly regular hours, but they might have to work shifts, possibly even at night.

Microelectronics manufacturing can be a good choice for people who are good with delicate work. If that describes you, why not consider it?

Bibliography:

Indeed.ca. “Microfabrication Technologist.” https://ca.indeed.

Payscale.com. “Electronics Engineer Salary.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Electronics_Engineer/Salary.

Study.com. “Career Definition for a Microelectronics Engineer.” https://study.com/articles/Microelectronics_Engineer_Job_Information_for_Students_Considering_a_Career_in_Microelectronics.html.