going back to graduate school after 15 years in the industry

It may come as a surprise to some, but I've decided to return to school after almost 15 years. In recent months, circumstances led me to decide to pursue a second master's degree as part of a career change. I'm thrilled to share that I've been accepted into the master's program in Electrical and Computer Engineering at UC Santa Cruz for the fall 2025 quarter. Woohoo!

UCSC is a world-class research institution with many opportunities, so the decision to continue my studies there was not hard to make. Unlike pure computer science, ECE is a field that combines software and hardware. For those curious, my focus will be on artifical intelligence. I also hope to do research on spiking neural networks with Prof. Eshraghian and his Neuromorphic Computing Group.

You may remember that I took some courses at UCSC as an intern during the fall 2010 quarter. I had planned to apply for the graduate program in statistics after the internship. However, that changed after I received a job offer from Cisco. I figured a job was more important than graduate school at the time and made the difficult decision to back out after the quarter ended. Fast forward 14 years, and now I'm preparing to continue my studies at UCSC. Sometimes life comes full circle.

Because AI has now become such a major field in recent years, my dad and I agreed this was the perfect time for me to go back to school catch up. UCSC doesn't offer graduate course during summers, and the fall quarter starts in September. However, the graduate student apartments are open as early as July according to the university's website. I'm going to see if it's possible to move in early and connect with Prof. Eshraghian before the quarter officially starts. This will give me a head start and hopefully allow me to save a quarter. Tuition isn't cheap these days!

One thing for sure is this will be a major change in my life. I'm admittedly a bit nervous as I've been out of school for almost 15 years. However, the excitement outweighs the nervousness as there are many opportunities on campus. In my experience, there is so much more to do at school than in corporate environments. It goes without saying that it's much easier to make friends in college. I also hope to reconnect with my old landlady Connie and her daughters. So yeah... exciting times ahead. :-)

Currently listening to: "National Anthem of South Africa"

a bittersweet departure from Energous

Today is a little bittersweet as I was laid off from Energous. I can't say I didn't see this coming because the tech industry has been hit hard by layoffs in the past several months. However, losing a job sucks no matter the cirumstance. Even though we are a unique company and don't have many competitors, the market is the deciding factor. Innovation does not always guarantee success.

Despite the unfortunate turn of events, my two years at Energous couldn't have been better. I got to work with an awesome team and learned many useful things. Another great thing about Energous was the catered lunches. Food always brings people together, and the best part is we had a different menu each time. I'm aware that a free lunch is very small in the grand scheme of things, but can't say I'm not bummed.

One thing for sure is that I'll miss my co-workers. Tomas was a really cool guy and certainly knew how to keep everyone in high spirits. I'm also going to miss Allison as we had so many common interests, and that she was someone I really enjoyed talking to. She was very supportive when she found out I was losing my job. I made sure to give her a big hug before we parted ways.

Of course, job hunting is always going to be a challenge. I suspect it's going to take longer this time due to the current state of the economy. However, I'm not planning to rush into things because finding a job that fits is far more important than getting one as soon as possible. But wish me luck — I'm going to need it for sure. *fingers crossed*

Currently listening to: "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses

first day at Energous

I just started working at Energous Corporation as a senior software QA engineer. Energous is a company based in San Jose that focuses on wireless power transfer. I'll be responsible for develop test plans and test automation for their wireless power systems.

Our receptionist Allison gave me some papers to sign when I showewd up. She then gave me a tour of the office before leading me to my cubicle. I took a few minutes to log into my laptop and make sure the e-mail works. On a related note, the laptop is a high-end mobile workstation with an octo-core Intel Core-i9 processor, 32 MB of memory and an Nvidia Quadro T2000 GPU. It's certainly comparable to the gaming laptop I got last September.

A short time later, my boss showed me around the labs and introduced me to my co-workers. Everyone was friendly and very helpful. It kind of sucks we weren't allowed to shake hands. The office feels a little empty as most people are working from home, but that's not a problem because I'm sure I'll get to know everyone soon enough. I spent the rest of the day studying the documentation and source code repositories.

Starting a new job is always an exciting experience. Although things were a little different this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, that didn't make my first day any less enjoyable. Allison says we usually have free lunches five days a week — which is very generous in my opinion — but they have been suspended since the pandemic began. On the bright side, there's no shortage of snacks. I can't complain about the fact that my boss wants me at the office for the next few days. :P

Tuesday update

The company gave me a T-shirt and a goodie bag that includes a stainless steel water bottle, a 400 lumen flashlight and a multi-tool. It also contains sanitary items like wipes and masks. I'm so glad to work at Energous.

But things didn't go without a hitch. I must admit I forgot to bring my badge on the second day of the job. Yeah... that's what happens when you work from home for over a year.

In other news...

Happy anniversary to my parents!

Currently listening to: "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen

last day at Silicon Labs + the long road to normalcy

I mentioned in the previous post that I decided to resign from Silicon Labs. It was no easy decision because Silicon Labs is really one of the best companies ever. The only reason for my departure is the costs of moving to Boston was too high.

I'm definitely a little sad that I never had the chance to meet my co-workers in person. It was so hard to say goodbye even though I was only on the team for seven months. Hope we can reconnect after the pandemic.

Our first "normal" gathering in ages

One highlight of the weekend is that the Hsuehs invited us over for lunch. We have had to decline numerous invitations in the past because COVID-19 is no joke. But now that have all gotten the vaccine, there was no reason we couldn't get together. It's certainly nice to not have to wear a mask or social distance!

Lily and Aaron prepared a nice Korean barbecue with vegetables. All of the food was delicious. Of note is that their son Alan was also home. He was pretty busy but did take the time to enjoy lunch with us.

Our group then went to the Stanford University campus for a hike. Lily and Aaron showed us some spots that we had never been to. Because it was quite hot outside, the Hsuehs insisted we go back to their house for ice cream. As you can imagine, this was quite nice for a change!

I still don't feel comfortable enough to dine indoors or spend time with large crowds. But it's nice to see some normalcy on the horizon. Let's hope the pandemic winds down in the coming months.

Currently listening to: "I Want It That Way" by the Backstreet Boys

Memorial Day + leaving Silicon Labs

Hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend. I definitely had a good time even though we didn't go far.

Dad wanted to take us to Half Moon Bay on Saturday as we hadn't been there since October. However, none of us really felt like going there as it was pretty hot outside. After debating for some time, the three of us decided to turn around and go home after reaching Woodside. But that didn't matter too much because we had a good weekend otherwise.

We went hiking on Stevens Creek Trail on Sunday before going to Smart & Final for groceries. I decided to try out some José Olé burritos as the price was a too good to pass up. Despite the praise, they aren't as good as we expected. Guess you can't always trust reviews.

Mom suggested going to Cost Plus World Market because I've been wanting to go there for a while. Our last time here was over a year ago. I always love shopping here because there's so many snacks from different countries. Dad decided to take us to Daiso and Mitsuwa Marketplace in the afternoon. I was surprised to find both places so crowded. It's hard to believe there's still a pandemic going on. Can't wait for things to go back to normal soon.

Last week at Silicon Labs

The other big news is that I've made the difficult decision to resign from Silicon Labs. You may remember that I joined last November as a remote employee. However, the company is changing its remote policy and plans to require all remote employeees to relocate to their home office. Having considered different options, my family decided that the cost of moving to Boston was too high.

On that note, I've accepted a position at a San Jose-based company called Energous. It's definitely great to go back to a job that's closer to home. :-)

Currently listening to: "Aloha, E komo Mai" by Jump5

first day at Silicon Labs

I'm excited to announce that I've started a new position at Silicon Labs as a senior software QA engineer. It also counts as a promotion because this is my first senior role. :-)

Silicon Labs is a leading manufacturer of semiconductors and IoT devices. For those curious, my job is to expand test automation for their wireless products. I definitely hope to put the knowledge I gained from previous jobs to good use. Also worth mentioning is that everyone is very friendly and helpful. I work from home at the moment but certainly hope to meet them in person soon enough.

But there's also a challenge: as mentioned earlier, the team is based in Boston. Although they're letting me work remotely during the pandemic, the company expects me to move to the East Coast in the future. This is going to be a huge change in my life for sure. I guess I'll worry about that when the time comes.

Currently listening to: New Super Mario Bros. overworld theme

last day at Intel + future plans

It's a bittersweet day as I was laid off from Intel due to the pandemic. However, things are OK otherwise as I already have a job offer.

End of a chapter

As mentioned earlier, our group took a major hit due to coronavirus-related cancellations. For example, the 2020 Summer Olympics have been postponed for at least a year. To cut costs, upper management had to let people go. It's quite unfortunate because I've been an Intel fan a long time.

Despite recent events, my experience at Intel has been overwhelmingly positive. One memorable moment was going to Oregon last year. It was my first time flying on a private jet and also my first business trip. Oregon is also a beautiful state. Even though I wasn't there for leisure and didn't have time to visit any attractions, the trip certainly felt like a vacation to me.

We also had a Diversity Day event last April. It was cool to meet people from different cultures. I also enjoyed trying different foods and watching the performances. Imagine my disappointment when this year's event got canceled due to the pandemic.

I'm definitely a bit sad to leave this job. But what really sucks is not being able to properly say goodbye to my co-workers. Sending a farewell email or message on Slack just isn't the same. However, my manager said she'd love to put together a team reunion once the pandemic is over. It's certainly something I'm looking forward to.

A cross-country move?

The good news is that I already have a verbal offer from Silicon Labs. I'm still in the interview process, but the formal offer should come very soon. Everything certainly looks good so far.

But there are also challenges: the team is based all the way in Boston. Although this position is currently remote, the company has hinted that I may have to relocate when the pandemic ends. On the bright side, Boston is a pretty nice place. At least that was the case when we went there 15 year ago. I'm excited to see what the future has to offer.

October 16 update: Silicon Labs has sent me a formal offer. I accepted it as this is a company I want to work for. Here's to looking forward to the next chapter.

Currently listening to: Final Fantasy VII soundtrack - "Cid's Theme" by Uematsu Nobuo

challenging times ahead

It looks like the COVID-19 pandemic is now having a bigger effect on my life. I've been told by my manager that I'm affected by a layoff and will be let go in mid-October unless I can secure an internal transfer.

I've mentioned before that I'm in the Intel Sports Group. Our organization provides a platform that allows users to experience sporting events in virtual reality. But due to the pandemic, several of our projects have been shelved indefinitely due to the cancelation of such events. As a result of these delays and an uncertain future, the company has announced that people will be let go.

This is unfortunate because Intel has always been one of my favorite companies. To make matters worse, chances are we won't get to properly say goodbye to our co-workers due to social distancing rules. One thing for sure is that job hunting is going to be much harder during a pandemic. However, the good news is that my boss has told me I don't actually need to work between now and my employment end date. I really appreciate that I can use this transition period to prepare for interviews. *crosses fingers*

social distancing and staying at home: four months in

It's been four months since I started working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though we're all in this together, things are admittedly difficult at times. However, there have also been positive moments. For those curious, here's what has happened during the past four months.

A series of unfortunate events

As nice as it is to work at home, being away from the office has its downsides:

• Although I have everything I need for my tasks, not having access to certain equipment can be a major inconvenience.
• Our quarterly happy hours for March and June have been canceled.
• It's been a long time since we've celebrated people's birthdays. Posting pictures of cakes on Slack just isn't the same.
• A guy on our team recently left for another job. He took the time to show me the ropes when when I joined the company and was like a mentor to me. It sucks that we didn't get to properly say goodbye.
• During our last call on Skype, my boss lamented that we haven't had a team lunch in a long time. I certainly can't disagree.

Of course, the pandemic has also affected our personal lives:

• I haven't been able to attend my book club since December. Our latest meeting has been moved from March to July and will likely be postponed again.
• Dad had planned to take us to the Southwest U.S. in March but understandably had to cancel the trip.
• A few months ago, my childhood friend Connie came to drop something off at my house. It took all my restraint to not give her a hug after seeing her again for the first time in almost 11 years. Chances are she wouldn't have appreciated it either. Speaking to her over the phone just isn't the same.
• I had also hoped to see my cousin Cathy and her husband Andrew again during the summer. But it doesn't look like this will happen anymore.
• It's not just me as my parents have also had to turn down several invitations.

A new gazebo

However, one positive thing about staying at home is that we have all the time in the world to work on personal projects. Dad recently decided to add a gazebo to our backyard so that our master bedroom doesn't get too hot in the summer. He actually decided to build it mostly by himself so that we could save on the labor. It was hard work for us too because he sometimes needed our help with the heavy parts. On the bright side, our backyard now has a nice new addition. :-)

RuneScape achievements

Although I still have to work at home, the fact that I don't have to commute makes a huge difference. I haven't had so much for RuneScape since my college days. For those curious, here are my achievements from recent months:

• completed the elite Varrock and Wilderness tasks
• 2,700 skill total
• level 99 Divination
• level 99 Magic
• 2,000 and 2,100 skill total on my alternate account Traductus
• 2,000 skill total on my alternate account Ixfd64 Rs2

Even though I can't see my friends and co-workers, staying at home isn't without benefits. One can see why some people want this to last forever. But at the same time, the fact that people are getting sick and dying sucks. I hope things will be back to normal soon.

In other news...

On a somewhat related note: happy anniversary to Andrew and Cathy as they got married a year ago!

Currently listening to: "Crocodile Rock" by Elton John

finally got my own car

I recently bought a 2013 BMW 328i sedan. It's a used car, but the price was really good for its mileage. No doubt this is a major milestone in my life.

We actually first went to a used car dealer in Hayward last Friday Dad saw an ad for another car with an attractive price. Let me tell you that used car salesmen really are as bad as people say they are. The folks at the dealership were cordial at first but were very reluctant to let us take it to an inspector that we had known for years. They actually started insulting my father when he became suspicious. He wisely decided that we didn't want to do business with those jerks.

Dad later found a guy on Craiglist selling a much newer car for a similarly low price. I had my reservations about using Craigslist after hearing so many horror stories, but the fact that the seller suggested meeting at a police station suggested he wasn't a scammer. He turned out to be a really nice guy when we met in person. Although we didn't do a test drive, the car looked and felt really nice. It wasn't long before we decided to make the purchase.

I still have to complete some paperwork and get a smog check done, but I'm definitely looking forward to taking it out for a drive.

Currently listening to: "Gas Gas Gas" by Manuel

an exciting new career at Intel

I'm thrilled to say that I started my new job today at Intel. It's definitely great to be back in action after being laid off in October. For those curious, I'll be doing quality assurance for the Intel Sports team.

The morning consisted of the new employee orientation. The speaker went over Intel's history and benefits before an IT guy showed us how to set up our work computers. Our badges were then delivered to us. Breakfast and lunch were both served during the orientation!

After everything was said and done, someone led us to the building with my actual office. I met up with my boss before spending the afternoon setting up accounts and completing the online training required for new employees. It's easy to get lost here as the building is huge, but I'm sure I'll know my way around soon enough. It's actually a nice place to work as the building contains cafeterias and lounges with TVs and games. I'm definitely loving my new job so far.

Of note is that Dad used to work at Intel many years ago. I'm sure he can give me advice about the company's culture. Like father, like son.

Currently listening to: "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC

last day at Mocana

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."

The week started badly as I was unexpectedly laid off from Mocana. I officially hate Mondays. :-(

You may recall that I joined last year as a software QA engineer. According to my boss, the company was shifting its focus to a new product and no longer needed my services. Although he was satisfied with my performance, this is cold comfort and doesn't really help. This is unfortunate because I really loved my job and the people there.

Looking back

While my career at Mocana didn't end the way I wanted it to, there were some great memories. The holiday cruise was definitely one of my favorite moments. The summer potluck and the Thanksgiving feast were also enjoyable. The catered lunches and snacks were pretty nice too. The best thing about working at small companies is that everyone is like family.

All that having been said, the most important thing for me right now is finding a new job. So wish me luck on my job search!

Currently listening to: "All the Small Things" by Blink-182

first day at Mocana

I started working at Mocana today as a software QA engineer. Mocana is a San Francisco-based startup that provides security for IoT devices. I'm definitely loving my new job so far!

The day began with our IT guy Raymond giving me my computer and setting up my company e-mail. Some time later, my boss Wesley introduced me to the other team members before helping me become familiar with our development tools. He says some people prefer to work from home due to traffic, but I'm sure I'll get to meet everyone soon enough.

Another nice thing about Mocana is that we have catered lunches twice a week - which Amazon Lab126 didn't have. Although it was too late to order mine, our accountant Linda ordered an extra sandwich for me. That is something I greatly appreciate. Of note is that there was a protest going on outside the office during lunch. I wanted to check it out but didn't feel too comfortable going too far from the office without being more familiar with the area. One step at a time I guess!

One of the best things about small companies is that everyone is like family. The only downside is that I have a long commute. Because the company is based in San Francisco, I have to take Caltrain and then transfer to BART before finally getting off at Embarcadero station. On the other hand, our office is in a nice part of town. There are lots of things to do and no shortage of restaurants. I also have plenty of chances to meet interesting people. Life is good.

Currently listening to: "Play That Song" by Train

new job coming soon!

The job search didn't take long as I've received an accepted an offer from a company called Mocana. The company produces security software for IoT devices. This job seems like the perfect fit for me because computer security has always been one of my interests. Although the office is pretty far in San Francisco, the office is located in a nice part of town. It's a long commute, but at least I can read some books and get some rest during the train ride.

If everything goes to plan, I should start at the beginning of next month. I'm pretty excited.

last day at Lab126

I got some bad news: my boss at Amazon Lab126 told me today that I was being letting me go. I don't want to disclose too much details except that my boss said I was no longer a good fit for the team. I understand that people are let go from companies all the time for various reasons, but I can help but feel a bit angry and betrayed, especially considering that I've been at Amazon for five years. To put it lightly, this really sucks.

The worst part is that I didn't get to say goodbye to most of my co-workers. Although the company was decent enough to not immediately escort me out like many other companies would do, my parents had advised me to keep quiet due to a potential legal case. Therefore, I didn't say anything to most people except a girl who seemed to guessed what happened. Oh well, time to start a job search.

Although this wasn't the way I wanted to leave Amazon, I've definitely had good memories working there. One of my favorites was the Amazon Fire TV launch. It feels great to be part of the team that made such an amazing product possible. The family picnics and post-holiday celebrations were great too. I certainly hope my next job will be just as awesome - if not better. :-)

Currently listening to: Overture No.1 in C major - Passepied by J. S. Bach

my last year as a twenty-something

It's hard to believe I'll be three decades old next year. Holy crap. Time goes way too fast these days. At any rate, happy 29th birthday to me!

The day started out well. I got up a little earlier than usual to help Dad plant a jujube tree in our backyard. He says there's no better time to do so than on my birthday. The container was heavier than expected, but we managed to get the job done. Although jujube trees are uncommon in North America, the climate should support them.

I also got a free six-pack of cupcakes from Nob Hill Foods. Mom then bought six more so there would be enough to share with my co-workers. It was great to have people tell me how good the cupcakes were.

Another nice thing is that we invited Sheila, Jeff and the Changs over for dinner after I got home. This wasn't actually a birthday party per se - because Shiela and her partner have shown an interest in joining Henry's film club, Mom felt this would be an excellent way for them to get acquainted. Everything was delicious, especially the pistachio gelato that Henry brought. Things couldn't have worked out better.

I have a money management class tomorrow morning and should probably head to bed. That said, I'm sure the rest of the weekend will be just as awesome. :-)

Currently playing: Angry Birds Star Wars II

First day at Lab126

I started my job at Lab126 this morning, and so begins a new chapter in my life. For those curious, I'll be working on a secret project as a software development engineer in test.

The day began with the new hire orientation, during which the HR team went over things like benefits and referrals. The IT folks then gave us our laptops and helped us set up our accounts before explaining the security policies. Our senior manager then took us to the nearby Park Place for lunch. It was definitely a great way to get acquainted with my new colleagues.

I spent the rest of the day configuring my laptop. Our building is like a maze and easy to get lost in, although that's probably something I'll get used to soon. At any rate, I'm already loving my new job and look forward to all the great things it has to offer.

The only real downside is that my work is highly confidential. I can't disclose any details about the project other than that it's related to the Amazon Kindle. Having said that, I'm sure everything will be revealed in due time. :-)

Currently watching: The Running Man

new job, new chapter...

After several months of sending in résumés and trudging through interviews, my hard work has finally paid off: an Amazon subsidiary called Lab126 recently gave me an offer. I accepted the offer right away as it was far too good to pass up. If everything goes to plan, I'll be joining the Lab126 team as a software test engineer early next month. Woohoo!

Currently listening to: "I Gotta Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas

last day at Cisco

So my contract at Cisco Systems has ended. I was let go for financial reasons and not because I didn't perform well enough. The contract was supposed to expire mid-November, but my boss Bing managed to extend it to the end of the year. I'm truly grateful for her actions.

The good news is that I left with no hard feelings. For starters, my supervisor Min organized a farewell lunch for me two days ago. She says it's an honor rarely given to people who leave the team. Everything she and Bing ordered was delicious. Click here for pictures from the lunch.

I even got Christmas presents: Bing bought me an iPod Shuffle while my co-worker Vicky gave me a pocket watch. That was so sweet of them. I also received a gift bag from Christine, my relationship manager at The Armada Group. There are no words to express my gratitude. I'm blessed to have had the chance to work with such wonderful people.

Looking back

The downside about being a contractor is the limited benefits package. The pay is also lower as a cut goes to Armada. Although salary isn't a big deal to me, one of my grievances is that some events were restricted to full-time employees. I was really bummed that I couldn't attend TechZone, an event for engineers to demo their projects. The fact that the executives were constantly talking about it didn't help. People had to sign an NDA and couldn't even share pictures with me. :-(

On the other hand, I got to attend Armada's events in addition to those at Cisco. For instance, the family picnic in October was really fun. That was my first company picnic in over 11 years and a highlight of the year. The lunches with Armada's HR team were pretty nice too.

Every job is a learning experience. There is always an opportunity to improve even after you're out of school. I learned a lot during my time on the TelePresence team and hope to put that knowledge to good use.

Although my departure from Cisco was graceful, losing your job always sucks, especially right before Christmas. It was definitely a bittersweet day for me. One thing for sure is that I'll miss everyone at both companies. On the bright side, at least I get a nice break before I continue my job search. :-)

Currently listening to: "Hey Santa!" by Carnie & Wendy Wilson

work anniversary at Cicso + holiday party report

"Looks like this party is for you." -- Lakshmi

Today is my one-year anniversary at Cisco Systems. I can't believe it's been a whole year since I joined the team. It still feels like I just started my job. Time certainly flies.

So our business unit had its annual holiday party at Sheraton San Jose Hotel. The event was pretty awesome - there was music, food, prize drawings and even a photo booth. I've posted some pictures online for those curious. Some people knew it was my work anniversary and joked that the party was for me. :-)

I wish I could say all is well, but that is unfortunately not the case. From what I've been told, my boss couldn't renew my contract and is letting me go at the end of the year. Although my staffing agency is treating this as a layoff so I could get unemployment benefits, losing my job just before Christmas still sucks.

As for the next steps, I haven't decided whether to continue my job search or try to go back to school. Decisions, decisions.

Currently listening to: "Beat It" by Michael Jackson