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Will a home electronics lab help me find a job?

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SmallCog:
Having a home lab isn’t super essential, but having a portfolio is a great idea.

If you have the space and money then a home lab can be a place to build a portfolio. It can start out as simply as a multimeter, old computer (so you don’t blow up your homework) and some basic hand tools. Lab gear like scopes can be scrounged or purchased later.

If you don’t have space or money for a lab there may be other ways to build that portfolio, using school facilities or club facilities. It’s the portfolio that matters.

Something I came across in a portfolio that impressed me was a guy who’d assisted with the electronics aspects of a larger project in a volunteer situation. In this case it wasn’t just the electronics that was impressive but he demonstrated the ability to work effectively with others.

In his case it was an interactive interpretative display in a museum

basinstreetdesign:

--- Quote from: kosgian90 on May 16, 2022, 11:14:19 am ---I'm an Electrical Engineering student.

I'm thinking of setting up a home electronics lab. My reasoning is that by doing electronics work and not just theory, I acquire some useful practical experience plus I can gradually create a portfolio of projects that I can show off at job interviews. I also really like it as a hobby. What do you guys think? Should I go for it? Will it have an impact on finding a job or will it just be another hobby?

--- End quote ---

A home lab before graduation and as a tool to impress interviewers...  It's a two-edged sword and can greatly depend on the culture of the specific company that you are applying to.

On the one hand, it may be viewed as a valuable asset to learning; as proof that you have a passion for the subject; and therefore you may be a self-starter, self-teacher, highly motivated to make your understanding of your subject better.  All of the guys named above fall into that catagory, Jim W., Dave J, Bob W., etc. and I am sure it has served them well.

OTOH, it may be viewed suspiciously as evidence of someone who, sooner or later, will leave said company to:

* start an unrelated venture after you have made them spend lots of time and money to train you
* compete with them in their own market after you have made them spend lots of time and money to train you
* steal their secret info
* leave them when they need you most
I have worked for both and for those who never gave those subjects a second thought.
The first group are/were exemplified by companies such as HP of the olden days.  They actually allowed employees to raid their inventory for home projects because they knew that the employees involved were improving themselves.
The latter group may very well ask you to sign something to prevent you from doing any of that.  Avoid them at all costs.

Right now the market seems to be favouring the applicants very much so my advice is to be careful and not jump at the first outfit that makes an offer.  In any case you probably wont have much time for anything like that until after you graduate, anyway.

Miyuki:
Having your own projects/portfolio is a great thing. A lab can help with it.
Also, you can work as a contractor/freelance in your lab or take smaller projects to the "home office" (is home lab a thing?)

I'm planning to expand my lab as I work from home. So I get paid for doing my hobby  :-+  But it can be a hustle to convince a company to do this work in your own lab. They are scared of you stealing the precious designs you developed and they send them to manufacture in Asia  :-DD

tggzzz:

--- Quote from: basinstreetdesign on May 18, 2022, 01:59:04 am ---OTOH, it may be viewed suspiciously as evidence of someone who, sooner or later, will leave said company to:

* start an unrelated venture after you have made them spend lots of time and money to train you
* compete with them in their own market after you have made them spend lots of time and money to train you
* steal their secret info
* leave them when they need you most
I have worked for both and for those who never gave those subjects a second thought.
The first group are/were exemplified by companies such as HP of the olden days.  They actually allowed employees to raid their inventory for home projects because they knew that the employees involved were improving themselves.

--- End quote ---

HP used a "Bill and Dave" story to encourage employees to use the lab inventory for home projects. Hewlett was working in the lab on a weekend and found the lab stock locked. He used bolt cutters to gain access, and left a note asking that it not be locked in future.

HP had good interviewing practices, and trusted their employees - and the employees trusted the company.


--- Quote ---The latter group may very well ask you to sign something to prevent you from doing any of that.  Avoid them at all costs.

--- End quote ---

Yes.

Doing many interviews at different companies is an excellent way of uncovering the work ethos, working out what you don't want - and hence being confident about what you do want.

jonpaul:

As a retired EE I can testify to how valuable your own hobbyist lab can be....

it was 1967, in my senior year of a BSEE, in my apartment lab did experiments with  Photomultipliers I found at surplus stores in Manhattan. At a job fair, interviews by a national laboratory in California....
Mentioned the Photomultipliers......they were so impressed, I was introduced to the laboratory director!!
He invited me to work as a Summer technician as a prélude to hiring.

I spent a halcyon Summertime in Berkeley on the hill. an unforgettable experience!

bon courage

Jon

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