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August 22, 2024

From 5 years to 35: Marvell employees hit milestone moments in their careers

By Acacia Wagoner, Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test Manager and Janak Patel, Senior Principal Engineer

Two Marvell employees are celebrating big anniversaries this year – one at five years and one at 35 years. Last year, Marvell launched our global anniversary program to honor the dedication and long-standing service of employees. Acacia Wagoner and Janak Patel share what drew them to Marvell and what makes the company stand out.

Acacia Wagoner: 5 years of growth and discovery

"I’m still in a state of growth, but I feel so much more seasoned than when I first started."

When I first joined Marvell as an intern in 2018, I was eager but unsure – a recent grad trying to figure out a career path. In high school, I knew I wanted to do business, and to help me out, my dad brought me to his work and introduced me to all his friends in different departments, including supply chain. And I was really intrigued. When it came to looking for a full-time job, I remembered procurement had a lot of overlap with supply chain.

Then I saw the procurement internship at Marvell. What intrigued me the most honestly was the data-driven nature of the work. The manager was opening up all these Excel sheets with tables and graphs.

Now, five years later, I feel much more comfortable in my role. But I still feel like I’m growing, especially with the support I get here. The procurement team at Marvell has great annual negotiation training – a very detailed and extensive program we do for one week every year. This helps us in Marvell procurement to have the same language when we discuss negotiation strategy.

My top tip to be a better negotiator is to use every interaction as a learning opportunity. Many of the suppliers I work with have intensive technical backgrounds, so I always go into meetings ready to learn and build personal relationships. It’s those connections that make all the difference. My other tips are:

  • Be as informed as you can be before you approach the discussion.
  • Have a few things up your sleeve you can bring out during the discussion as a bargaining chip.
  • And this is what we learn in training: The more you ask for, the more you get.

 

Janak Patel: 35 years of innovation and experience

"The complexity of the challenges makes the work at Marvell exciting and rewarding."

After 35 years in the industry, I’ve seen a lot of change, and I’ve had the chance to be part of it too. My role at Marvell as a Senior Principal Engineer focuses on the thermal, mechanical, and reliability aspects of our ASIC packages. I’ve developed 40 patents achieved through tackling complex problems and finding innovative solutions.

My journey started long before Marvell, back when I was part of IBM’s Microelectronics division. Microelectronics was sold to Global Foundries, which created a wholly owned subsidiary called Avera Semiconductor, which was then acquired by Marvell in 2019.

At Marvell, I work on simulations, designs, testing, and measurements, dealing with suppliers and developing new materials. I’m also in steady contact with customers, helping them navigate the complexities of our products.

What stands out at Marvell for me is the culture. Out of all the companies I’ve worked for, Marvell’s culture is by far the best. People here are friendly, decisions are made quickly, and there’s less bureaucracy. It’s easier to get your job done, and that’s something I truly value. I’ve even encouraged a lot of my friends to apply here because it’s such a great place to work.

For young engineers, here’s my advice:

  • First, learn the skills and focus on solving problems. The rest will come with time and experience.
  • And don’t be afraid of change. Every transition I’ve gone through has ultimately led me to better opportunities, and Marvell has been the best one yet.

 

For early career opportunities, including internships, check out Marvell at marvell.com/company/careers/university-recruiting.html. Find our Careers site at https://www.marvell.com/company/careers.html.

Tags: What Makes Marvell

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