Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Usually, MT graduates start their careers with an annual income between $56K and $65K based on the shift assignment. Companies offer extensive benefits including full health coverage, retirement saving plans, tuition reimbursement, personal time off (PTO), paid holidays, and more.

Local companies work with the MT program to provide internship opportunities to students.  MT students who are taking classes can apply for paid part time positions while working towards their MT AAS degree.  Earn money, gain experience, get your foot in the door! Companies that have recently offered internships include Intel, Lam Research, Qorvo and Analog Devices.

“My internship was a wonderful experience. I was assigned to work on the most difficult toolset in my department, and I found out from my manager that I impressed the interviewers so much that he recommended that I be placed there. It’s absolutely thanks to the MT program that I was so prepared for the interview process and for the job. As soon as I graduated, Intel was able to offer me a full-time position as a manufacturing equipment technician (MET), and my experience from the internship made my transition seamless – I didn’t even have to interview again!” M. R. (2023 MT graduate)

Technicians work a regular fixed schedule of 12-hour shifts: three days one week (with four days off) followed by the second week working four days (with three days off).

Portland is considered to be the “Silicon Forest” of the world, with a large semiconductor manufacturing base. Intel Corporation is the Portland region’s largest private employer, and there are many others including Analog Devices, Qorvo, Biotronik/MSEI, Lam Research, Applied Materials, Siltronic, Microchip, FEI/Thermo Fisher, SunPower, On Semiconductor, and others.

You will work in a cleanroom as a member of a team that has well-defined objectives and responsibilities. You’ll have the opportunity to work in a highly automated facility for some of the most reputable semiconductor manufacturers in the world. Nearly all MT students have jobs waiting for them upon graduation and some even before.

There is the opportunity for advancement and to make this a lifelong career. Military veterans have a long history working in this industry – technical military training can often be applied towards the MT credit requirements. Most, if not all, industry partners welcome and mention hiring initiatives in their employment materials to encourage veterans and members of protected classes to apply.