How to Break Into VLSI: A Real Roadmap for Indian ECE Students

Breaking into VLSI isn’t about trends — it’s about patience, fundamentals, and deep curiosity.

In this episode, I sit down with Kunal Ghosh, founder of VLSI System Design and a semiconductor professional with over 15 years of industry experience.

We talk honestly about:

Why most ECE students feel lost despite India’s semiconductor push

The real gap between college education and industry expectations

A 12–15 month roadmap to become VLSI-ready — even from a Tier-3 college

Why fundamentals like RC networks, CMOS, and device physics matter more than tools

How to build projects that actually get interview calls

Why “hardware is hard” — and who should really pursue it

This episode is for:

ECE undergrads feeling confused about VLSI

Students preparing for core electronics careers

Anyone wondering if semiconductors are truly meant for them

If you’re serious about building a long-term career in VLSI — this conversation might change how you think forever.

Chapters :-

00:00 – Intro: Why This Episode Matters for ECE Students
00:26 – India’s Semiconductor Shift & What It Means for Young Engineers
03:10 – Kunal’s Early Exposure to Chips, Networking & CDMA Systems
07:20 – Choosing VLSI Out of Curiosity, Not Trends
11:00 – Why Passion Matters More Than Timing in Semiconductors
14:40 – The Real Gap Between College Curriculum & Industry Needs
18:50 – Why “Hardware Is Hard” (Debugging, Risk & Long Cycles)
23:10 – How Automation Changed Hiring Expectations in VLSI
27:40 – Can Tier-3 College Students Still Break Into VLSI?
31:30 – Practical Paths Beyond IITs: Skills, Projects & Programs
35:30 – What Students Must Do Outside College to Become Industry-Ready
39:20 – Final Advice: Choosing Long-Term Growth Over Short-Term Trends