Earning an engineering or marketing degree and then being hired by a semiconductor manufacturer or specialty marketing firm is a good way to start a career in semiconductor sales. Because selling semiconductors necessitates knowledge of the field and the processes used to create the technology, many companies prefer salespeople with a technical background, such as an electrical engineering degree. It’s also possible to break into semiconductor sales by getting a marketing degree and networking with distributors to find an entry-level position with a semiconductor distribution company.
Semiconductors are sold to companies that make computer hardware and industrial machinery. The majority of semiconductors are purchased in bulk by companies that use them to make their own products, which are then sold to end users. Semiconductor sales marketing is the process of identifying new businesses to work with and persuading them that a particular chip is superior to all others on the market in terms of cost and quality. The job necessitates a lot of travel to meet with new prospects and give presentations about the company. Government contracts are another option for semiconductor salespeople, as they require the salesperson to draft and submit a formal bid to the government on behalf of the company.
Pursuing a dual degree in college in both an engineering sub-specialty and marketing is one way to break into semiconductor sales. This will give you the technical knowledge you’ll need to explain and sell a product to clients, as well as the marketing experience you’ll need to network and find new prospects. Even though selling semiconductors in a business-to-business environment differs from other types of sales, skills like customer service and logistics management are universal to the industry and can be learned in college or university.
Most companies looking to hire someone for semiconductor sales look for experience in the field as one of the qualifications. A degree in electrical engineering is advantageous in this situation because it allows you to enter a company as an entry-level engineer. First and foremost, semiconductor companies manufacture semiconductors, and once you’ve done so, you’ll be able to move laterally within a company when positions become available. In this case, you should inform your employer of your desire to work in semiconductor sales from the start so that they can point you in the right direction.