(Em)Power the Next Generation: Marvell Summer Intern Program

On top of my day job as a director of Analog Design, I teach analog design at the university level. 

When Marvell recruiter Fernanda Bustos reached out and asked me to share my expertise in analog design at the Marvell Summer Intern Program—a two-week analog design course—I was thrilled. It proved to be such a valuable experience. 

The interns were fully invested in and focused on their studies, which provided a unique opportunity to dive deep into the subject matter. It was incredibly rewarding to see their dedication to learning and I was inspired by their enthusiasm for the field. 

Amplifying Talent

I’ve always enjoyed teaching young engineers, so the opportunity to mentor a new generation of talent was something I was eager to embrace.  

For me, mentoring is more than just sharing my knowledge; it’s all about giving back to the community and helping shape professionals who will be leading this industry in the future. Seeing their excitement and commitment to their growth was one of the most rewarding aspects of the experience. 

Designing More Than Circuits

When it was time to design the learning experience, I drew from my background in teaching short courses on analog design, and I added an element of competition to increase motivation. Everyone loves a good challenge. 

We asked our interns to create a circuit design with minimized power consumption while ensuring the circuits performed to the highest standards.  

For another layer of motivation, we created clear objectives so interns can identify milestones, along with providing hands-on projects and feedback sessions to give them the opportunity to see their growth.  

One of the key things I focused on, was challenging their way of thinking when it comes to analog design concepts, which is a priority for any analog designer, especially when just starting out. Interns underwent challenges, from understanding the best design options that meet specifications to developing an analog designer intuition.

Empowering the Next Generation 

Now, with an established group of graduates, I can look back and reflect on the positive impact the program had. Our goal was to help interns learn about the analog design flow and create minimal-power-consuming circuits. It enabled them to gain problem-solving skills, teamwork and collaboration, all of which are crucial for their future career growth.  

But the impact isn’t limited to their careers; it also impacts me and the broader Marvell team. 

The opportunity to see a young engineer’s face light up when their design works, brings me joy. I’m proud to work at a company that is committed to helping others grow and succeed. It provided me with the opportunity to grow my leadership and communication skills, gain insights, innovate and think creatively. Their new ideas and perspectives inspired me, thereby impacting my work.

The intern program creates such unique opportunities to find the right talent. In just four years, our Analog Design team has more than tripled its numbers, with the majority of our team starting as interns. Having the ability to experience their growth and impact on the team is beyond rewarding, which is why I continue to participate in the program.

I cannot wait to see what the Marvell Summer Intern Program class of 2025 will accomplish in the years to come.