During the first week of the school year, the University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) hosted visitors from the U.S. Department of State, the University of California System, and Intel Corporation to discuss how UTEP and its partners in Mexico can collaborate to support research and workforce development in the semiconductor industry.
UTEP is already working towards preparing the next generation of scientists and engineers who will be working in the semiconductor industry.
Recently, Yazmin Montoya, a UTEP graduate, was honored by the Microelectronics Industry Association with their prestigious “20 Under 30” recognition for her contributions to the field.
The award was presented to Montoya during the Semicon West conference held this summer.
The 20 Under 30 recognition is given to 20 individuals in the field who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, community service, and dedication in their careers and beyond.
Montoya was recognized for her impressive achievements at the conference held in San Francisco, California.
SEMI, which has been serving as a convergence of professionals in the systems engineering and supply chain design industries worldwide since 1970, recognizes outstanding individuals in the field.
Montoya, who earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering leadership at UTEP in 2017, completed internships with Halliburton and Lockheed Martin during her studies, which helped her gain the skills and knowledge required to excel in her career.
Montoya’s career faced several hurdles during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in her being laid off and unemployed for several months.
Despite these challenges, she remained determined, took risks, and accepted an internship with Intel while launching her nonprofit, Nontraditional College Success, which assists nontraditional college students in finding their dream jobs or training.
Eventually, Montoya secured a full-time position at Intel and was nominated for the SEMI 20 Under 30 recognition.
She returned to UTEP to obtain an M.S. in Systems Engineering to gain additional knowledge in data analysis and advance in the field. During her second master’s, she completed her thesis on artificial intelligence.
Montoya has worked with organizations like Intel, Freeport-McMoRan, and Lockheed Martin, and has made an impact across the board.
Her career was jumpstarted by internships she completed while at UTEP. Her position at Intel has exposed her to a world of possibilities that she could not have imagined before.
She underscored the importance of internships for gaining professional experience. Her internships taught her about consulting and supply chain management, which were critical for her current position as a technical program manager at Intel.
Montoya’s graduate school advisor, Sreenath Chalil Madathil, Ph.D., former industrial, manufacturing, and systems engineering professor at UTEP, said, “She is a great leader and has the set of tools, techniques, and personality to achieve success. I do not doubt she will be a great ambassador for the industrial and systems engineering program and UTEP.”
Today we welcomed visitors from the U.S. Dept. of State, Intel, the U. of California System and the private sector in Austin to begin a conversation about how UTEP and our partners in Mexico can support research and workforce development in the semiconductor industry. ⛏️🤝 pic.twitter.com/sK7ise877P
— UTEP (@UTEP) August 23, 2023
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