Last week I was invited to visit Cypress Semiconductor. I live about 20-25 minutes drive from their Lynnwood location.
Living in the Seattle area, I've worked with former Cypress employees at other jobs. I even meet one employee through sailing. As small as the world is, I've even been drooling over a sailboat for years which is owned by some of the other employees (I got as far as even getting denied financing last year to purchase it, banks don't like boats). And they all know each other.
There is a lot to be said about corporate culture.
As we read through the blogs and the projects written by Cypress employees, we form opinions. I've been forming mine for a long. I've always been really impressed by the Cypress people I meet. Very smart people. Very down to Earth people. Aside from that, I only had one brief professional exposure to Cypress. Always very polite.
When I got the invitation, I felt like I was going to Oz to meet the Wizards.
I was.
Gagan and Greg both gave me tours. I got to meet a lot of people. Many knew those I'd worked with at other jobs. I felt in good company. Cypress was far more than I ever thought.
Every job I've ever had, I've always been looked at semi-freakishly. I'm an engineer (physics major) and I love engineering and science. It is my work, my passion, my life. Even though I've worked in some seriously nerdy places, I've always been the outcast because I create projects at home, think outside the box, find solutions and add a hint of art. I've started to create a home wood shop. I've built a massive electronics lab (by home standards). I love to design and build things. Anything. I've a degree in Precision Machining and in Science. I'm mechanical, electrical, and I dabble in programming.
At Cypress, I found those who do what I do. Engineering is in their blood, as it is in mine. The home hobbyist as a career. The diversity in skills is the ultimate as it yields a diversity of solutions. They are diverse in their skills, in their backgrounds. They are creative problem solvers and have made and will continue to make great contributions.
At Cypress, I found creativity and engineering at it's finest.
At Cypress, I found I was no longer alone.
Gagan and Greg, thank you so much for taking the time to formally introduce me Cypress Semiconductor. The friendship shown and encouragement in my project refueled the dimming LED of hope I had begun to develop in my project. The welcome and friendliness, the array of projects and technical paths, the encouragement of engineering solutions and creativity is a very impressive corporate culture.
Cheers!
