My Journey @ Applied Materials India

Meet Azar who shares his experience as a New College Graduate at Applied Materials India. He feels privileged to be a part of this learning ecosystem, that allows him to keep his passion and curiosity alive. Edited excerpts.

• Tell us about yourself - your role at Applied Materials India and educational accolades.

I am a Mechanical Engineer in the Semiconductor Products Group at Applied Materials India. I completed my Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from KLE Technological University (formerly known as BVB) in 2022. During my studies, I was awarded a gold medal for securing #1 rank in Mechanical Engineering.

Additionally, I have participated in national-level challenges, and secured #1 rank with my team in the SAE National Aero Design Challenge 2019-2020 and #2 rank in the SAE National Aerothon Challenge 2020-2021.

• What brought you to Applied Materials India? Why did you choose the path that you are on?

Applied Materials India is highly regarded by our university. As per the insights from professors and professionals, Applied Materials India is an excellent place for engineers to start their careers, with great opportunities for those interested in innovation and challenges. Working with talented colleagues is providing me an excellent opportunity for professional growth and skill development. It is offering me an ideal place to learn, grow and succeed.

It all started from dismantling and observing the things in RC cars, my childhood interest in machines combined with my love for aircraft and spacecraft, and my passion for mathematics and physics led me to pursue a career in mechanical engineering. I also wanted my work to produce something tangible and have outcomes that could help solve problems.

• What excites you the most about your current role?

What excites me the most about my current role is the challenges it throws at me every time. Each day brings a new set of complex challenges that require exploration and innovative thinking. The role allows me to continuously learn and gain knowledge in various areas. Additionally, I am fortunate to work with an exceptional team that is always ready to collaborate and find solutions to problems. Their support and expertise make the role even more exciting and fulfilling.

• What are you enjoying most about the corporate world? What are you hoping to achieve?

What I enjoy the most about the corporate world is the infrastructure, modern workspaces, and well-equipped labs that allow me to work with the latest technologies. Also, the office-level events such as Fight Against Hunger and Applied Premier League, are quite engaging and enjoyable. I also like playing cricket and football, which are organized by the team on weekends. Some days are tough, but well, it’s all part of life.

I am hoping to advance my career by taking on more challenging projects and getting more responsibilities. At the same time, I want to continuously improve my efficiency and productivity while maintaining work-life harmony, expanding my professional network, while building meaningful connections with colleagues and industry professionals. Overall, my goal is to continue learning, growing, and contributing to the success of my team and the company.

• Being a new college graduate (NCG) hired in 2022, how would you describe your learnings and experience so far?

As a New College Graduate hired in 2022, I can say that my experience so far at Applied has been very insightful and enriching. The NCG induction program for freshers acts like a bridge from campus to corporate. This program gave me a comprehensive understanding of work culture, which helped me gain clarity about Applied and its products. The technical training sessions, both at Applied and supplier sites have helped me in enhancing my knowledge of different manufacturing capabilities, which are proving to be valuable assets while working on projects. Moreover, I have been fortunate enough to build a strong network with buddies, mentors and managers who have been extremely supportive and helpful throughout the program.

• A mentor or someone in your life whom you’ve admired and who has inspired you?

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam has been my greatest inspiration! His speeches and writings have always encouraged me to strive for excellence and make a positive contribution to society. My brother has also played a significant role in my life. He has been a mentor, providing me with the right guidance and support, and helping me make important decisions regarding my career.