Addressing the Talent Gap in Semiconductors: Motivators and Barriers to Career Choices

Background: The United States has made substantial investments to restore the global competitiveness of the semiconductor industry; however, the nation continues to face a shortage of skilled labor in this sector. Despite the importance of this issue, there is limited research examining the barriers in individuals' educational and career choices in the semiconductor industry. To address this gap, our study aims to identify the contextual and psychological factors influencing decisions to pursue academic degrees and careers in semiconductors, using expectancy-value theory as our theoretical framework. Method: We first conducted interviews with engineering students and industry professionals in the semiconductor field to explore potential motivators and barriers. Thematic analysis of the interviews revealed multiple factors related to the utility, cost, and interest value. Based on these findings, we designed a survey and gathered responses from 178 participants, including students, faculty, and industry professionals in the semiconductor field. Findings: The results indicated that utility value (e.g., financial stability) plays a significant role in career aspirations for both industry professionals and students. When making career choices in semiconductors, its relative cost value compared to software engineering (e.g., lower pay, limited remote working) also played an important role. This suggests that semiconductor companies are competing not only with other semiconductor companies but also with other big tech companies, necessitating the provision of a comparable work environment to attract skilled engineers. Furthermore, both students and faculty identified limited lab activities and online resources as major barriers, highlighting the need to enhance accessibility to learning materials. Contribution: This study examines the varied perspectives of students, faculty, and industry professionals concerning the essential factors influencing career aspirations in the semiconductor field. To accomplish this, a survey questionnaire tailored to semiconductor career aspirations was developed, drawing insights from interviews with students and industry experts. The findings provide valuable insights for educational and industry approaches aimed at fostering the future workforce in the semiconductor industry.