Silicon Saxony at the Dresden Microelectronics Academy 2025

This year, Silicon Saxony was once again part of the Dresden Microelectronics Academy, the renowned summer school of the Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed) and the Institute for Semiconductor and Microsystems Technology at TU Dresden, which it organizes together with the semiconductor giants Bosch, Globalfoundries, Infineon and X-Fab.

Katrin Meusinger, Head of People & Skills at Silicon Saxony, moderated the closing panel of the week-long event on September 18, 2025, which was held under the motto “Career paths in the semiconductor industry”.

The panel discussed:

• Susanne Appel (X-FAB, Manager Process Integration / Yield Enhancement)
• Sven Beyer (Globalfoundries, Distinguished Member of Technical Staff – Integration)
• Dr. Dirk Drescher (Bosch, Plant Manager)
• Dr. Christian Koitzsch (ESMC, President)
• Andreas Thamm (Infineon, Senior Director Technology Project Management)

The panel began with an interactive introduction: the participants – around 50 Bachelor’s and Master’s students as well as doctoral candidates from all over Germany – were invited to comment on various theses relating to career paths, corporate culture and application experiences with a show of hands. This activation served as the basis for a lively discussion with the panel participants.

The following questions, among others, were addressed in the subsequent discussion round:

• What makes a good job interview – from the applicants’ and companies’ perspective?
• How do corporate cultures in the semiconductor industry differ – also in an international comparison?
• What questions do managers ask to find out whether someone will fit into the team?
• How important are straightforward CVs in the semiconductor industry?
• What role do personal networks play when starting a career?

 Images: Matthias Hahndorf | TU Dresden | cfaed – Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden

The speakers not only shared professional insights, but also very personal experiences and career paths – from classic career starts to surprising twists and turns. Their openness was greatly appreciated by the participants, which was also reflected in the numerous questions during the panel and at the subsequent dinner.

Silicon Saxony expressly supports the Dresden Microelectronics Academy, as it offers young academics unique access to the Dresden semiconductor ecosystem. No other program makes it possible to get to know so many companies in the industry within one week – in their diversity and in their similarities.

Many thanks to all panel participants for their time, openness and commitment! Not only the impressive expertise on the podium, but above all the honest, personal insights help to inspire young talents for our industry and give them guidance.

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Further links

👉 Microelectronics Academy website