Basic Information

• Name: Sreesti Sahoo
• Branch: BTech
• Company: Qualcomm
• Duration: 9 weeks

Domain Targeted

I was primarily aiming at core EE roles, specifically digital and Hardware. I aimed at these because I felt these were the areas that, at that time, I understood the best and enjoyed as well. So I felt I might be a good fit.

Over the 2 years I had already spent, Digital systems and microprocessors were some of the courses that stood out particularly for me and I really enjoyed studying about them.

Preparation Resources

For core roles we are not really asked much coding but still being clear with the syntaxes and being able to solve some basic questions helps. I referred to https://www.w3schools.com/cpp/default.asp to refresh C++. Then we had a digital QB too, I briefly referred to that as well. For STA https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpCkjM331Aa8JNoZ1s1o1txve2wlf9pCP is a very good resource. It touches upon very basic things but for interviews and tests I found it to be sufficient.

For digital they ask very basic questions, just go over your lecture notes from EE224 for that. There are mental ability questions too, make sure you brush up on them as small mistakes in these can cost you a lot. Some recurring topics I would recommend you to look at would be clock based problems, number and letter sequences, basic probability problems, work done by X and Y together kind of problems. For coding based problems just be thorough with syntaxes, and yeah it is better to know C++. Rest y’all can manage :)

Interview Experience

There was a Technical Test first; during the test itself they asked whether we want to go for the systems track or the hardware track. If you choose Hardware you get digital questions and if you choose systems you get coding questions I think. After the test within 2-3 days the shortlist was out and we had our interviews. Interview had 2 rounds - both technical. And then results within the same day.

Yes, many. I knew from the beginning that I want to go for a core role but still the FOMO that you get when all your friends are getting sorted and you are not stresses you out a LOT. It was tough to bear it mentally. When TI and NVIDIA came I felt finally this might get over but I did not get selected for any of the two and it just demotivated me further. But I had already given enough tests so I knew my mistakes and doubts. I just ensured I do not repeat them. And then Qualcomm came and finally the tough days were over. During these days family helped me the most. Talking to them helped me recalibrate my own perspective about things.

Difficulty rating (1-5): 2

Project Work

I was part of the Physical Design Team at Qualcomm. My role involved automating a time-consuming step during placement. If done manually, this step took 2-3 days but with the tool it took only 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Overall Experience

I had a very good experience at Qualcomm. Each intern was assigned to a different team and we all were assigned managers. The employees were very friendly and helped a lot whenever we had any doubts. Qualcomm provides stay and shuttle services to office and we also had our breakfast and lunch at office. The only expense we had to worry about was dinner.

Networking Opportunities

Yeah, teams go on team outings from time to time. I too went on a team lunch once. Other than that they keep icebreaking sessions and hackathons too for interns.

Recommendation & Advice

Yeah, would 100 percent recommend it !