Choosing the Right Path to Build Real Skills
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That's the only thing that will land you a job in VLSI. I’ve faced many struggles in choosing the right institute for training. Initially, I went for a cheap and "best" option in Bangalore, hoping for placements, but nothing happened. I started attending interviews on my own, but during one, they asked me to debug an issue in a tool session, and I couldn’t—because my training didn’t cover debugging. They taught me some theory and how to run scripts, but nothing practical. This built up a lot of frustration, and I eventually returned to my hometown because I couldn’t afford to stay in Bangalore anymore.
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Then, I discovered ICLabs and decided to try again. I dedicated 8 months of full-time training, made over 1,000 phone calls to my trainer, and finally reached the skill level of someone with 2 years of industry experience. It was skill that gave me confidence, and confidence that got me the job.
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From my journey, here are a few key points I learned. If these help shape your career, I’ll be happy.
Key Takeaways from My Experience:
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Do your research first: Decide which area of VLSI interests you. This is a major decision that requires time spent researching online. Don’t just rely on advice from friends or relatives.
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Why you? There are thousands of students pursuing VLSI. Understand what makes you stand out from the crowd.
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Your skill should speak: Aim to match the skill set of someone with 2+ years of industry experience. Know what’s required and work towards it.
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Find a mentor: Do whatever it takes to find a mentor who will review your work and provide guidance.
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Avoid cheap training and placement promises: Many institutes boast about their placement records, but that may have been in times when jobs were abundant and candidates were fewer. It’s different now.
What to Ask an Institute Before Joining:
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Batch size: If the batch has more than 5–10 people, don’t join. They won’t be able to provide focused skill development.
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Study material: If they offer fancy study materials, reject them. Such materials often limit your thinking and guide you only towards passing interviews, not mastering skills.
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Focus on skill development, not just placements: If the institute emphasizes placement records over skill-building, tell them you’re here to develop skills first.
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Work review: Ask who will review your work. If no one is reviewing your progress and the training is just broadcasted information to a large group, it’s not worth your time.
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Training duration: Training that lasts only 2–3 months is insufficient. As a fresher, you need at least 6–8 months of full-time, focused training to build a solid foundation.
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Money-back guarantee: If the institute doesn’t meet these standards, ask for a money-back policy. You deserve to invest in the right kind of training.