After a (very hot) summer in Austin, I looked back on my 13 weeks as an intern and said to myself “I don’t want to work anywhere else”. So, I didn’t! But it wasn’t that simple. My intern role was unique, and Arm didn’t have any specific graduate positions that were opening for that job. This led me to the IP Delivery team, a team in that same SPE group that were hiring for a Graduate Product Manager. A few conversations and an offer letter later… I am now a Graduate Product Manager, and I truly cannot see myself doing anything else.
As far as my transition goes, I was lucky enough to experience a very easy transfer. My move was seamless and enjoyable. Arm is not your typical company, here all people are treated as valuable people and I was able to see that on a first-hand account during this transition. Everyone in the SPE group welcomed me back with a smile on their face!
Another great tool that I was able to utilize both as an intern and as a transitioning graduate, was the Graduate Committee. Funny enough, I am the PR and Communications chair for the US branch now! The Graduate Committee is a great asset to Arm graduates- they offer plenty of resources, events, and programs that allow for an inclusive, diverse, and fun environment.
Now that you're in your graduate position, how has the day-to-day experience been for you? Any surprises or familiarities compared to your intern days?
My day-to-day is very similar in the aspect(s) of doing exciting and meaningful work. There really are not many surprises, but plenty of familiarities such as great culture and challenging work! The biggest difference for me is the slightly higher number of meetings. Being a Product Manager means you attend a lot of meetings and ensure that you are communicating effectively. I really enjoy this aspect and always try to make the most out of meetings and discussions. The IP Delivery team is also UK-based, meaning I kind of have two offices- this allows me to travel, network, and see multiple perspectives of Arm and the people that work here.
Thinking about the company culture, what are the aspects that make you excited to continue working with Arm?
Every time I get asked a question like this, I find myself saying the exact same thing: PEOPLE. Arm’s culture boils down to the amazing people that spend their days contributing to our great missions. We are undoubtedly working on some of the most advanced, innovative technology that anyone could fathom… that’s great and all, but the thing that really makes Arm standout: the people that work here!
In your current role, do you find yourself drawing on skills or lessons learned during your internship? Any memorable insights you gained back then that still prove valuable now?
One hundred percent! I use knowledge and information from my internship every single day. I may not be doing the same type of work in the same role, however, the basis of knowledge and the people I met during my internship have proved to be invaluable in my everyday life as a graduate. Most namely, the understanding of what Arm does and where we fit into semiconductor manufacturing and the technology world. What we do and the products that we produce are not easy to understand, and my internship helped me grasp those concepts and I am able to leverage them today.
What advice would you give to current interns who aspire to secure a graduate position at Arm?
Meet as many people as you can, show up every day excited, always go one step further when completing a deliverable, and never be afraid to learn something new.
In your experience, how does Arm foster a culture of continuous learning and development, especially for those who transition from intern to full-time roles?
Back to my answers from before, between the amazing people at Arm and the programs like the Graduate Committee- I have never ONCE heard of somebody ask for help and not receive the respect and knowledge they were looking for. No matter how long you have been at Arm, there is always something to learn, and there is always someone willing to talk or listen to you.