YEOW AN TZE
Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Expected Year of Graduation: 2026)
HOW DID YOU COME ACROSS THIS INTERNSHIP AND WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE THIS INTERNSHIP?
I learned about the internship through an email broadcast by CAO. I have always had an interest in power electronic circuits and given that the company is based in Silicon Valley with a strong tech culture, I knew that applying would be challenging. However, I also recognised that it would provide an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience while being mentored by some of the best in the field.
WHAT WERE YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITES AS AN INTERN?
I oversee the assembly of my company’s core product, a high voltage power supply for next-generation semiconductor equipment. Alongside other interns, my day-to-day responsibilities include using industry-standard soldering and manufacturing tools to turn designs into functional products. In addition to assembly, I frequently troubleshoot issues and take on additional responsibilities, such as maintaining other key products and liaising with customers.
Working in a research and development facility, I am exposed to new product developments and interact with design engineers on a daily basis. The fast-paced nature of the company also requires me to work in areas beyond electronics, such as mechanical assembly and scripting for test automation. Furthermore, the relatively small team size allows for easy collaboration with colleagues, giving me the opportunity to assist others while learning from their expertise.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THIS INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE?
What I enjoy most about my internship is the exposure I gain. I was pleasantly surprised to be entrusted with crucial roles in the supply chain early on, which required me to learn quickly. With guidance and mentorship from my colleagues, I was able to adapt and succeed. I also discovered my strengths in troubleshooting and analysing circuit elements.
I gained substantial industry insight through meetings and discussions, which helped me understand the thought processes and considerations engineers take when making key decisions. Being part of these meetings provided a deeper understanding of the entire product creation process ranging from ideation and prototyping to mass manufacturing. Another aspect I particularly enjoyed was the mandatory project every intern undertakes. The mentorship I received from engineers allowed me to grasp technical concepts much more quickly and apply them effectively.
WHAT WERE SOME CHALLENGES YOU FACED AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM?
One challenge I faced during my internship was managing my expectations. Given the relatively long duration of my internship, I wanted to gain a deep understanding of the core technologies behind the company’s products. Since these technologies were developed by the company’s founders as part of their postdoctoral research, the learning curve was steep. I often found myself with more questions even after having some answered.
Balancing this desire to learn with my responsibility for maintaining the production of new power supplies presented a time-management challenge. I often had to work overtime to meet both my personal learning goals and the company’s objectives. In sacrificing some personal time, I was able to build stronger relationships with my colleagues and made full use of the resources provided by the company, such as software and hardware tools. The supportive and positive learning environment motivated me to put in this extra effort. I found it well worth extending my time to gain deeper knowledge and experience.
WHAT ARE YOUR KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS INTERNSHIP?
Aside from technical skills, I have gained greater confidence in building and testing circuits. With exposure to a wide variety of circuits across different voltage, power and frequency levels, I have developed stronger judgment when troubleshooting or making critical project decisions. One habit I have adopted is to always put concepts into practice. Whether working with a self-designed circuit or a reference design, I make it a point to run it through a circuit simulator to verify its operation and better understand its underlying principles. Testing concepts physically often corrects and deepens our understanding.
HOW DID CAO HELP YOU IN PREPARING FOR YOUR FUTURE WORK?
I would not have had this internship opportunity without the support of CAO. Before starting my mandatory internship, I consulted CAO regarding self-sourcing internships in the United States. As evident from several rejection emails, securing an internship independently was challenging without a programme sponsor. Thankfully, CAO broadcasted an opportunity to work in Silicon Valley — a world-leading hub for technology through FUSIA, a programme sponsor working with NTU.
SHARE ADVICE WITH YOUR PEERS.
Step out of your comfort zone and venture into the unknown. Even if you feel uncertain, take up the opportunity. Discovering early that a path is not for you is far better than finding out later in your career. If you want to excel at what you do, do not stop at merely meeting expectations. Take on multiple responsibilities, work hard and stay curious. Constantly ask questions without fear of being judged. Remember, being an intern allows you to make mistakes without serious consequences to your career. With the right mindset, you can leave a lasting impression that will benefit your future endeavours.