ECE Expeditions heads back to Silicon Valley

Mena Davidson • March 22, 2024
The 7th cross-country voyage of the ECE Expeditions program took students to the Bay Area to visit Meta, Kodiak Robotics, KLA, and SiTime.
Students and engineers from Kodiak Robotics wave in front of an automated semi-truck with the University of Michigan Electrical & Computer Engineering banner.
Students and Kodiak Robotic engineers, including ECE alum Shurjo Banerjee (MS PhD ECE 2017 2022), pose for a photo in front of an automated semi truck. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli

Since the first ECE Expeditions tours of Ann Arbor companies in 2016, the program has traveled to California, Washington, Texas, and New York, providing Electrical and Computer Engineering students at the University of Michigan with opportunities for exploring the U.S., networking with peers and potential employers, and getting an inside look at the experiences of an industry engineer.

Each year, the program organizes and leads a local trip to tour businesses in Michigan and a cross-country trip to visit businesses in other states.

During U-M’s spring break in late February, a group of undergraduate and graduate students headed back to California to visit Meta, Kodiak Robotics, KLA, and SiTime. They spent two full days meeting U-M alumni and learning about the diverse missions of the companies that they toured.

By participating in this trip, I enhanced my understanding of diverse engineering applications, gained valuable insights from experienced professionals, and expanded my ECE network!

Shih-Chi Liao, ECE PhD student

Meta

Their journey started at Meta, commonly recognized as the parent company of popular apps including Facebook and Instagram. Meta aims to help people around the world connect and make an impact on their communities. Their newest projects focus on generative artificial intelligence and virtual reality.

The students toured Meta Headquarters and experienced some of its many workplace perks, including Epic Cafe, where they ate lunch with some of the engineers. After lunch, they headed across campus to MPK20, a beautiful, open-plan building designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry. Under the natural light filtering in through the many windows of MPK20, the students met with alum Helen Ma (BS EE 2004) and a community of over 20 other U-M alumni currently working at Meta.

The Expeditions attendees then discussed engineering careers with three panels of Meta engineers, who spoke to them about front-end and back-end software engineering, as well as product management.

Throughout the day, they experienced the uniquely fun and creative atmosphere at Meta, playing arcade games, checking out a lego wall full of company and university logos, walking through the curated green spaces and architecture on “Classic Campus”, and even making themselves comfortable in a miniature office workspace for a photo opp.

“The innovative atmosphere at Meta was palpable, and the tour provided fascinating insights into their cutting-edge work,” said one attendee.

Two students stand against a blue background lego wall, filled with colorful logos from universities and companies. The students point at the Block M and the words "GO BLUE", above their heads.
Students point at the University of Michigan logos on the Lego wall at Meta. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
One student laughs while playing a "The Simpsons" pinball game. Two other pinball games are on each side of the student.
A student plays arcade games at Meta. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
Two students pretend to work in a miniature replica of a Meta office, complete with a clock, posters, a tiny table, and TV screen. One student pretends to use a palm-sized laptop while the other has an animated phone call.
Students “work” in a miniature replica of a Meta office. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
Two students smile as one watches the other play an arcade game on the Meta campus.
Students enjoying the arcade games at Meta. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
A group of students and Meta engineers pose for a photo with the Michigan Electrical & Computer Engineering Banner in front of two screens with the Meta logo.
Students and Meta engineers, including U-M Electrical Engineering alum Helen Ma (BS EE 2004). Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
A group of students and engineers eats lunch at Cafe Epic on the Meta campus, around a rectangular table.
A group of students and Meta engineers eat lunch together at Cafe Epic on Classic Campus. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
A group of students sits at a rectangular table at the Meta Cafe Epic, eating lunch.
A group of students and Meta engineers eat lunch at Cafe Epic on Classic Campus. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
Students and Meta engineers sit around two rectangular tables during lunch at Cafe Epic on Classic Campus.
A group of students and Meta engineers eat lunch at Cafe Epic on Classic Campus. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
A group of students sits around a square table for lunch at Meta's Cafe Epic.
Students and Meta engineers eat lunch at Cafe Epic on Classic Campus. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
Students pose with the University of Michigan Electrical & Computer Engineering banner in front of a whiteboard wall labeled "The Facebook Wall" with the words "What's on your mind?"
Students pose in front of the Facebook Wall at Meta. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
Students stand in a courtyard on the Meta campus, surrounded by flowered gardens.
Students stop and listen on their tour of Classic Campus during their visit to Meta. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
Students stand in a circle in an outdoor courtyard, listening to a tourguide.
Students are pictured on their tour of the Meta Classic Campus. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
Students sit in a conference room, facing alum Helen Ma, who introduces herself and a panel of engineers.
Students are welcomed to Meta by U-M Electrical Engineering alum Helen Ma (BS EE 2004). Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
Students attended informational panels with engineers working at Meta.
Students listen to presenters during a set of informational panels with engineers working at Meta. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli

Kodiak Robotics

The team of students then continued on to learn about autonomous driving technologies at Kodiak Robotics. Kodiak Robotics is a startup company driven to increase road safety and shipping efficiency through its state-of-the-art integration of sensors and artificial intelligence.

Here, attendees shared pizza and conversation with resident engineers, including ECE alum Shurjo Banerjee (MS PhD ECE 2017 2022). After a presentation on automated sensing and perception technology, the students toured the office, laboratory space, and garages––complete with a look at the real driverless semi trucks designed and used by Kodiak Robotics.

“The people at Kodiak Robotics did an amazing job explaining how every part of the autonomous driving system ties in together, and I wish to indulge in such a working atmosphere,” said Aaron Park, ECE master’s student.

A presenter at Kodiak Robotics points to a screen displaying a red, automated semi truck.
A presenter at Kodiak Robotics shows the students a picture of an driverless semi truck. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
Students listen to a presenter during their visit to Kodiak Robotics.
Students listen to information from ECE alum Shurjo Banerjee (MS PhD ECE 2017 2022) at Kodiak Robotics. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
Students sit on red chairs positioned in a square, listening to a presentation at Kodiak Robotics.
Students listen to a presenter on automated vehicle technology during their visit to Kodiak Robotics. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
Students stand around a rectangular counter eating pizza and mingling at Kodiak Robotics.
Students and Kodiak Robotics engineers mingle over pizza. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
Students sit in red chairs listening to a speaker at Kodiak Robotics.
Students sit and listen to a presentation at Kodiak Robotics. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
Students stand around a rectangular counter eating pizza and mingling at Kodiak Robotics.
Students and Kodiak Robotics engineers mingle over pizza. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
Students listen to a presenter in front of a black camo pickup truck and a red semi truck.
Students learn about automated vehicles through a demonstration with a driverless pickup truck and a driverless semi truck.
Students and engineers from Kodiak Robotics wave in front of an automated semi-truck with the University of Michigan Electrical & Computer Engineering banner.
Students and Kodiak Robotic engineers, including ECE alum Shurjo Banerjee (MS PhD ECE 2017 2022), pose for a photo in front of an automated semi truck. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli

KLA

The second day of the trip kicked off with breakfast at the KLA Corporation Headquarters. KLA develops equipment and supplies essential for supporting innovation across electronics and technology, such as computers, autonomous vehicles, space exploration, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and more. They are a leader in the development of semiconductors, commonly known as chips, and an important component of the supply chain.

KLA’s CEO and President, Rick Wallace, is a University of Michigan ECE alum who was recently honored with the 2023 ECE Alumni Impact Award for his distinguished career. Wallace is also an active member on the board of the University of Michigan Alumni Association. He has stayed very engaged with ECE and the University as his career has progressed.

Students attended a panel discussion and Q&A session, which gave them an additional opportunity to chat with recent graduates working in the semiconductor industry, including two additional Michigan alumni.

However, the highlight of the visit for many of the attendees was their tour of the KLA cleanroom, where they suited up in the head-to-toe “bunny suits” familiar to many U-M Engineering community members from peering through the windows into the Lurie Nanofabrication Facility. Bunny suits are designed to protect the microscopic devices used in nanofabrication research from contamination by the particles and bacteria naturally present on human skin, in the highly controlled cleanroom environment.

“KLA’s emphasis on precision and quality control in semiconductor manufacturing highlighted the critical role electrical engineers play in ensuring flawless production processes,” said Stella Huang, ECE master’s student.

A group of four students dressed in bunny suits and sunglasses puts their hands in the Michigan "M" formation.
Students dressed in bunny suits rep Michigan in the KLA cleanroom. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
Students stand in a line, listening to a presentation about the KLA cleanroom, dressed up in white bunny suits and sunglasses.
Students listen to a presentation on their tour of the KLA cleanroom. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
One student gives two thumbs up while wearing a hood and a beard cover before entering the KLA cleanroom.
One attendee gives the double thumbs-up in a cleanroom beard net, getting ready to enter the KLA cleanroom. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
Two students pose and give thumbs up to the camera, dressed in hairnets and white hoods as part of the bunny suits.
Students flash a thumbs-up while getting dressed in bunny suits to enter the KLA cleanroom. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
Students are shown in various stages of getting dressed in white bunny suits.
Students don bunny suits before their tour of the KLA cleanroom. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
Students and KLA engineers pose in front of the KLA building, a triangular concrete corner with blue reflective windows. They are holding the Michigan Electrical & Computer Engineering banner.
Students and KLA engineers take a group photo in front of the KLA building. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
A group of students stands outside of the KLA building, under a shade cover, listening to a presenter.
Students listen to a presenter on their tour of KLA. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
A group of students sits in rolling office chairs around a white room, during a panel Q&A session.
Students attend a Q&A session at KLA. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
Students sit on office chairs around tables in a classroom with a blue wall, watching a presentation. The presentation slide title reads "We create the most advanced process control systems in the world."
Students watch a presentation during their visit to KLA. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli

SiTime

This visit to the Bay Area concluded with a tour of SiTime, innovators of silicon microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) semiconductors used for precision timing. Precision timing allows electronic devices to synchronize with each other and keep time accurately. SiTime’s silicon MEMS are smaller than a grain of sand and deviate less than a second over six years.

“SiTime’s working environment and staff are super nice,” said one attendee, “Their experts in MEMS and physics answered many questions patiently.”

The group met with alum Piyush Sevalia (MS EE 1991), Executive Vice President of Marketing, who helped plan and host the ECE Expeditions visit to SiTime. Students also toured the labs and had a chance to directly participate in a Q&A session with Sevalia and other high-level executives about timing devices before concluding their Expedition.

Students sit around a long table in rolling office chairs, listening to a presentation by alum Piyush Sevalia.
Students listen to a presentation at SiTime by alum Piyush Sevalia (MS EE 1991), Executive Vice President of Marketing. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
A group of students poses with alum Piyush Sevalia in front of a wall with the SiTime logo - a red box with Si in negative space, next to the black word Time.
Students pose with alum Piyush Sevalia (MS EE 1991), Executive Vice President of Marketing, in front of the SiTime logo. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
Students sit around a long table in rolling office chairs, listening to a presentation by alum Piyush Sevalia, who is in front of two large TV screens.
Students listen intently to alum Piyush Sevalia (MS EE 1991), Executive Vice President of Marketing, who helped plan and host the ECE Expeditions visit to SiTime. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
Students sit around a long table in rolling office chairs, listening to a presentation by alum Piyush Sevalia, who is gesturing during an explanation.
U-M Electrical Engineering alum Piyush Sevalia, (MS EE 1991), Executive Vice President of Marketing, gives a presentation to attendees at the ECE Expeditions trip. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli
Two students listen to a presentation at SiTime, watching a presenter out-of-frame.
Students listen to a presentation by alum Piyush Sevalia (MS EE 1991), Executive Vice President of Marketing at SiTime. Photo: Silvia Cardarelli

Fostering connection

Many attendees said that their favorite aspect of the ECE Expeditions trip was meeting and socializing with students from other research areas, at different stages of the program, and from diverse backgrounds. This experience also gave them opportunities to build their professional networks and learn about careers that they may not have otherwise considered.

For anyone on the fence whether they want to go on this trip, I think it is 100% worth it!

Sophie Millhouse, ECE undergraduate student

“By participating in this trip, I enhanced my understanding of diverse engineering applications, gained valuable insights from experienced professionals, and expanded my ECE network,” said Shih-Chi Liao, PhD student in ECE, “These experiences directly benefit and position me for a fulfilling career as a well-rounded engineer.”

Huang agreed. “These experiences not only broadened my understanding of engineering roles, but also offered a tangible sense of the workspaces and cultures at these leading tech companies,” she said, “My goal is to draw from the diverse experiences encountered during this expedition to shape a fulfilling and impactful career.”

Huang wasn’t the only student to use her experience to inform her career interests. From looking at automated vehicles scaled up to semi trucks to learning about technology much tinier than the width of a human hair, many students found the number of potential careers branching from a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering inspiring.

“You get the experience to speak to engineers in the field and learn about the endless paths that an ECE degree can take you,” said Sophie Millhouse, ECE undergraduate, “For anyone on the fence whether they want to go on this trip, I think it is 100% worth it!”

The next local ECE Expeditions trip will be during fall break 2024 and the next cross-country trip will be over spring break 2025. All ECE students are encouraged to apply. You can find out more about the program and read about past trips on the Expeditions website.

More photos can be found on Flickr.