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January 08, 2025

From Intern to Mentor: My Journey at Marvell

By Vlad Minecan, Physical Design Engineering Manager at Marvell Romania

My journey at Marvell has been a series of full-circle moments, underscored by the power of mentorship. I began at Marvell as an intern in the summer before my final year at Politehnica University of Bucharest. During that year, I had support from my team and leadership, which gave me the time needed to invest in my studies while also learning the basics of physical design. At first, I had a lot of knowledge to acquire and lots of information to learn - it was quite the ramp-up.

After graduation, I was chosen to transition from an intern to a full-time employee and take on bigger projects and responsibilities. I enjoyed learning new things and digging deeper; the more I learned, the more motivated I became. Working on designing small components of advanced technology chips allowed me to gain invaluable knowledge in the most cutting-edge technology at the time.

I had to adapt to changes – from physical design tasks to design kits, flows, and acquisitions – which provided plenty of opportunities to grow. One of my passions is sharing my knowledge and helping new interns onboard. Noticing my dedication and commitment to mentoring the next generation of engineers, Marvell Romania’s leadership provided the opportunity for me to be part of Marvell’s summer program at the University Politehnica of Bucharest, teaching students an introduction to physical design. It’s a chance to guide and support students in their career paths. The most rewarding part has been that a few of the students are now my colleagues at Marvell. Meet Vlad in Marvell

In a true full-circle moment, when offered the team lead role, I was excited to take my mentorship to the next level. Today, I manage a team of four interns and full-time engineers on the same team where I started my career.

The biggest difference, I recall, is that when I joined Marvell, I looked at tasks like puzzles –how could I best solve them? Now, I look at it from a different perspective: How can I empower my team to find the best solution to a problem? How can I ensure they have the knowledge, tools, and resources to succeed?

The biggest lesson I've learned during this journey is the importance of adaptability. In our ever-evolving field, the ability to embrace change and continuously learn is crucial. Whether transitioning from an intern to a full-time employee or stepping into a leadership role, I've realized the importance of being open to new ideas and approaches has not only enhanced my skill set but allowed me to effectively support and guide others. This adaptability fosters a collaborative environment where innovation thrives and encourages both personal and professional growth.

My advice for an Intern

It's important to clarify any doubts. Don’t hesitate to ask for help or feedback from your colleagues or mentor. Take initiative in your tasks. Don’t wait for instructions; ask questions and seek out opportunities to contribute. Last but not least, STAY CURIOUS!

Ready to make your impact at Marvell? We’re hiring across the globe. Check out our global intern opportunities here.

 

Tags: What Makes Marvell

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