introduction

Part 1: Silicon Valley and Engineers

Chapter 1: Why Silicon Valley?
The History of the IT Industry in Korea and the US, and Me
How Silicon Valley Became the Global Center of IT
The reason they work hard on their own
The Secret (?) Birth of a Global Standard

Chapter 2: Engineer Career Paths
Career Paths for Korean Engineers
Career Paths for American Engineers

Part 2: Global Engineer Growth Roadmap

Chapter 3 Undergraduate Level: The Importance of the Basics
My major is the beginning of my career
Why you need to relearn Korean, English, and Math when you go to college
No one-line specs, yes practical skills and experience.

Chapter 4 Graduate School Level: Seize the Future and Secure Expertise
Graduate school, why are you going?
How to Choose a Major in Graduate School
Master's Program: Even if you can't do research, you can still gain something.
PhD: First the thesis, but not everything.

Chapter 5: The Workplace Level: The Battle for Time and Career Management
Why you should go quickly if you're going to go
The number one quality Silicon Valley wants
Domain Expertise vs. Skillset Expertise
The key is career management

Chapter 6 Now to Silicon Valley!
Outlining the Path to Silicon Valley
The hiring process at US tech companies
Residence Status: Visa and Permanent Resident AZ
How much English should I prepare?
A Complete Guide to US Immigration Routes and Timings
Data on how to enter Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley Job Market Trends and Outlook

Part 3: What the World Wants from Engineers

Chapter 7: Engineers are people who read, write, and think.
The engineer who reads books eventually survives.
3 Principles of Writing
Report Writing Tips That Make a Big Difference
The introduction is 99% of the thesis.
Another proof of expertise: patents

Chapter 8: Soft Skills for Career Advancement
Are you a 'good person to work with'?
A hastily made recommendation is useless
Sophisticated self-promotion techniques
The essence of communication
What is Technology Leadership?
Planner's mind

Chapter 9: Growing Up or Regretting: The Engineer's Career Change
Why they change jobs
When you regret changing jobs
Things to keep in mind when moving abroad

Part 4: A Realistic Look at Silicon Valley

Chapter 10: The Life of a Silicon Valley Big Tech Engineer
What the word fit implies
The implications of working from home
Waiting for a friend
Why 'Family Over Work' Was Difficult for Me
Sometimes others are better
Memories with a nice manager
Living as a foreigner
How much salary do you need to live in Silicon Valley?
How to Cope in a World Where Layoffs Are the Standard

Chapter 11: Conclusion, Concerning the Future of Engineers and the Nature of Work
Engineers in the AI ​​Era
Engineers who benefit the world widely

Huzhou

Silicon Valley, a place every engineer and researcher dreams of at least once.
What if that dream becomes reality?

This book aims to be a mentor for engineers (or researchers) who dream of a global career.
Those who look further and wider, and live diligently every day.
But if you want to build your career and capabilities a little more intelligently, this book is for you.
Also, engineers who dream of a global career, not just in Silicon Valley.
Even if you're not a global engineer, if you're concerned about your expertise, career, and capabilities as an engineer, the honest and realistic advice of a "senior engineer" will be helpful.

As time went on, I became convinced,
Why it had to be Silicon Valley

The author, with no experience studying abroad and only based on his domestic experience, moved to a tech company in Silicon Valley, where he is still actively working.
And in that process, ‘vague illusions’, ‘concerns’, and ‘courage’ coexisted.
The author initially 'hoped' that his choice was right, but as time went on, he became 'convinced' that it was the right choice.

Chapter 1 - This chapter examines the evolution of the IT industries in Korea and the United States, along with the development trajectory of Silicon Valley. It also explores the author's life as he grew up within that dynamic, seeking answers to the question of why we should head there.


Chapter 2 - Moving to the US is not an extension of an existing path, but a transition to a new path.
Therefore, it is important to clearly understand the differences between the two paths to help you plan ahead.
Compare the career paths of engineers in Korea and the United States.

There is no perfect path, but there is a right direction and timing.

Do you want to thrive in the technological innovation hub of Silicon Valley? Unfortunately, as with everything, there's no easy path.
To get there and adapt, you need to build your capabilities, experience, and career diligently and strategically from the earliest possible stage.
But the process is daunting.
And to help with this sense of uncertainty, we've put together a roadmap for the process from undergraduate to graduate school, and into the workforce.
If you follow this roadmap as early as possible, the path won't necessarily be difficult.

Chapter 3 - Even if you have free time, undergraduate school is still busy with job preparation and major studies.
Are you wondering what to do during this time?
We'll cover what you should focus on during this crucial time, laying the foundation for becoming a global engineer.


Chapter 4 - Graduate school is a dilemma that many engineering majors face at least once.
"Is graduate school the right choice for me?" This question, which often goes unanswered even when asked around or online, offers some criteria that might help.
It also offers insightful answers based on the author's extensive experience in doctoral studies, research, and engineering roles, addressing questions such as what graduate school means to engineers, what majors they should choose, and how to spend their master's and doctoral years if they aim for a global career.

Chapter 5 - "If I work hard at the tasks assigned to me by my current organization, will the door of opportunity open someday?" Unfortunately, the career path that can lead to a global career and the right time for it are separate.
How should I build my career?
When would be a good time to move to the US?
There is no single, perfect path like a formula.
But there are certainly 'favorable' directions and times.
Here are some practical solutions to this.

Chapter 6 - Covers the practical considerations you need to take into account when making a serious foray into Silicon Valley.
These include the hiring process, immigration status issues such as visas and permanent residency, and English.
We also comprehensively analyze the path and timing of entry into Silicon Valley, and present the current status and outlook for employment in Silicon Valley, so we can see the forest along with the trees.

Job knowledge and technical skills? Is that enough?

That's not the only thing that matters in Silicon Valley.
No, even if it's not Silicon Valley, other capabilities are essential for career growth.
We've included helpful stories for all engineers, not just global engineers, on topics like writing, soft skills, and career transitions.

Chapter 7 - Are engineers supposed to just look at numbers, formulas, and code? This chapter covers writing for engineers, an essential skill for engineers, from reports to papers and patent documents.

Chapter 8 - Soft skills are just as important to career growth as technical knowledge.
It contains essential advice on a variety of soft skills, including networking, self-promotion, communication, and leadership.

Chapter 9 - Changing jobs can be an opportunity for growth or a cause for regret for engineers.
We will address these concerns and discuss what to keep in mind when moving abroad.

What is it like to live in Silicon Valley?

Is Silicon Valley a paradise for engineers? Or a jungle rife with the dangers of restructuring? While Silicon Valley isn't a paradise, it certainly possesses countless strengths.
If you persevere, you will win every battle.
Wouldn't it be better to have a sense of the reality there and prepare for it so that you won't regret it later when your dreams become reality and you'll be happy?

Chapter 10 - A collection of snippets from the author's life and those around him to help you understand life and culture in Silicon Valley.
These slices of life are not fantasies, but stories about the real Silicon Valley where people live.


Chapter 11 - The AI ​​Era is once again bringing about significant changes in our lives and the job market.
As an engineer in this era, we discuss wise strategies and directions.
And in order to avoid being swept away by this flow, we conclude by discussing the most important thing: the nature of karma.

Key topics covered in this book

Why should engineers head to Silicon Valley? What makes them different?
- Differences in the career paths of Korean and American engineers
- Things to do during undergraduate school
- Things to consider when deciding on a graduate school major
- (Aiming to become a global engineer) How should I spend my master's and doctoral years?
Career Management Strategies for Moving to Silicon Valley: The Right Time
- The hiring process in Silicon Valley
- Status issues for staying in the United States, English
- Analysis of migration routes and timing
- Silicon Valley Employment Trends and Outlook
- Engineer's writing, soft skills, and career transition
- Salary, cost of living, and asset growth for life in Silicon Valley
- Layoffs and coping strategies
- Engineer Survival Strategies in the AI ​​Era

Readers who need this book

- Those who aspire to be engineers (or researchers) and those who wish to become global talents
- Those who dream of a global career while working in the tech field
- Anyone who wants to know about Silicon Valley's culture and way of thinking
- Those who are concerned about career and competency management in the tech field