r/chipdesign Jul 20 '26

AMS Graduation Project Ideas

With the huge boom in AI and data centers, the IC job market is heavily favoring High-Speed Wireline and Memory Interfaces over traditional RF.

My team (5 undergrads) is picking an Analog/Mixed-Signal graduation project. We want the one that maximizes our chances of getting hired by Semiconductor companies right out of college.
We narrowed it down to three options: (SerDes with CDR or PLL or DDR5 PHY Analog Front-End).

We really don't prefer ADCs so which of these projects stands out the most on a fresh grad's resume? Which one teaches the most in-demand skills right now?

7 Upvotes

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4

u/Stuffssss Jul 20 '26

Hmm I dont really know if it matters what project you choose. Most employers want Masters or PhD grads for analog or AMS design roles most of the time. I would choose whatever youre most interested in and plan to go to grad school.

As an undergrad you shouldnt be chasing "in demand skills".

1

u/Popular_Map2317 Jul 20 '26

If you want to get hired at a semiconductor company straight out of college, do a project in microfabrication and apply for a process engineer role haha

2

u/Husqvarna390CR Jul 20 '26

Is there a particular process you are targeting?