Intel

I was a software validation engineer in the Intel Sports Group for around two years. People often associate Intel with semiconductors, but it does a lot more than just make CPUs. I've always considered Intel to be one of the most innovative companies in the world. Having been a fan for a long time, I was thrilled to accept the offer.

One great thing about Intel is there are many opportunities to collaborate with cross-functional teams. We frequently interacted with people from around the world when I was in Intel Sports. I was only about two months into the job when I got to fly on a private jet during a day business trip to Oregon. Everyone I worked with was talented and knowledgeable, and most people were helpful. I only speak for Intel Sports, but work-life balance wasn't too bad either. Even during crunch time, employees were rarely asked to stay late hours. We even got a few extra vacation days during the pandemic.

Intel does a lot to help employees advance their careers. It offers all kinds of classes, and both managers and individual contributors are encouraged to take them. You can also find employee resource groups as well as informal clubs. One highlight of my time at Intel was Diversity Day. You can meet people with diverse backgrounds and try all kinds of different food. Imagine my disappointment when COVID-19 caused the 2020 event to be canceled.

Employees are also encouraged to perform community service. I've often wanted to take time off to volunteer, but never really found it convenient to do so when I worked at previous companies. One time, our team went to a church to help package groceries to be delivered to needy families, and even our second-line manager joined us. That was another great memory.

I can't speak for other locations, but it's not hard to get to the Santa Clara campus. You will have to pay for transportation out-of-pocket, as Intel does not provide commuter checks. However, there is a free shuttle that runs between local tech companies and nearby Caltrain stations. It's a useful service, as transportation costs can quickly add up.

When I was laid off due to the pandemic, my manager allowed me to stop working during the transition period so I could focus on my job search. She also regularly reached out to me to see how I was doing and to encourage me to look for other openings within the company. Few companies offer this kind of support to employees who are let go.

Pros in a nutshell:

• Innovative company
• Lots of "extracurricular" activities
• Convenient transportation
• Good work-life balance and support for employees

Although the compensation is competitive, the perks are limited. For example, Intel typically does not provide free meals unless you count fruit and coffee. Although we sometimes have team lunches on the company's dime, this is not an everyday occurrence. It's not a deal breaker by any means, but catered lunches and free snacks are a staple of many Bay Area tech companies.

Our holiday events are also fairly small. While they are still quite nice, don't expect things like dinner cruises and events held at Levi's Stadium.

Every company has politics, but this was an especially big problem in Intel Sports, as competition often got in the way of cooperation. Even though people were helpful for the most part, as I mentioned earlier, some team members were less willing to share information out of fear that you will take their jobs. I've also seen people take credit for the work of others. Furthermore, there were managers that put too much focus on networking and didn't manage their teams effectively.

It is important to note Intel's bread and butter is its microprocessor business. While the company has been trying to expand into other markets, this has not always been a success. A number of organizations—including Intel Sports itself—have closed over the years. It seems groups that are not related to CPU design and manufacturing are hit-and-miss. This is something to consider before accepting an offer from Intel.

Despite the downsides, my experience at Intel wasn't too bad. However, be aware that my experience may not accurately reflect Intel as a whole, because it is a large corporation with many locations worldwide. As the saying goes, your mileage may vary.

Cons in a nutshell:

• Some groups are not profitable
• Politics
• Perks are limited

Focus on the company's strengths and don't waste resources on unprofitable ventures.