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November 7, 2025

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[PDS] Professional Development Seminar
—Organized by SEMI Midwest Chapter

This FREE seminar will help students meet the demands of today's high tech workforce and be successful in their careers. 

Time

11:00 am - 4:00 pm CDT

Location

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Campus Instructional Facility
1405 West Springfield Avenue
Champaign, IL 61821
United States

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SEMI Professional Development Seminar—Connecting College Students to the Semiconductor Industry 

Learn about career opportunities in high tech and acquire valuable, practical information that will help you choose career directions and plan for your success.

Come learn about careers in the semiconductor industry at the SEMI Professional Development Seminar hosted by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Listen to professionals in the industry talk about their roles and find out how to prepare for jobs in the Semiconductor Industry.

  • Listen to professionals in the industry talk about their roles and find out the skillset needed for a career in high tech. 
  • Discover semiconductor job opportunities you didn't know existed (internship and entry-level) and how you can connect with employers in the industry.
  • Learn how to optimize your resume and boost your interview skills to land a job in the semiconductor industry.

All majors are welcome! Students with a background in Engineering, Computer Science, Chemistry, Physics, Math, Data Science, and Business are strongly encouraged to attend.

  • Enjoy free lunch and snacks, free swag, and giveaways at Employer Tables.
  • Students can come and go.

EVENT is FREE but registration is required. Register by October 24th, 2025! 

Agenda

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2025 (Times in CST)

11:00 am

Student Check-In

11:15 am
Andy Stapleton, Mortenson
Andy Stapleton
Vice President at Mortenson
SEMI Midwest Chapter
Dr. Nancy Sottos, UIUC
Dr. Nancy Sottos
Department Head Materials Science and Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Welcome & SEMI Midwest Chapter Introduction

11:20 am
Laurel Passantino
Laurel Passantino
Assistant Dean for Research and Strategic Research Planning
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Semiconductor Engineering at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

11:30 am
Dave Chapek, Polar Semiconductor
Dave Chapek
Director of Operations Engineering - Front End of Line
Polar Semiconductor

Semiconductors 101: A Brief History of the Semiconductor Industry & Career pathways

12:00 pm

Free Lunch for Students

12:30 pm
Brendan Aird, IBM Semiconductors
Brendan Aird
Global Strategic Technology Business Development Executive
IBM Semiconductors
Nicholas Cys TSMC AZ
Nicholas Cys
Senior Process Integration Engineer
TSMC AZ
Maggie Kamman Polar Semiconductor
Maggie Kamman
Process Engineer II
Polar Semiconductor
Anna Albert TEL
Anna Albert
Technical Support Engineer II
Tokyo Electron America (TEL)

Ask Me Anything (Panel): A Day in the Life of a Semiconductor Industry Professional

1:20 pm
John Mahlmeister
John Mahlmeister
Assistant Director, Engineering Career Services
The Grainger College of Engineering

Personal Branding & Resume Best Practices

1:50 pm
Laura Tarr Polar Semiconductor
Laura Tarr
Recruiter
Polar Semiconductor

Interview Like a Pro: Perfect Your Pitch

2:20 pm

Job & Internship Opportunities - Sponsors & Exhibitors - 3-Minute Elevator Pitch

Participating companies will pitch their internship & job opportunities

2:50 pm

Break / Room Change

Move to Room 4029 for Networking

3:00 pm

Network with Exhibiting Industry Leaders

4:00 pm

Adjourn

REGISTER NOW

Attendance is free, but registration is required by October 24, 2025.

Sponsors

Mortenson
Brewer Science Logo