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Dong An (he/him)

Electrical Engineer / Lead Analog Designer

Created On: March 27, 2023
Education Pathway: University
Related School Subjects:
Readability:
7.9

Learn About My Career

I design semiconductor chips used on electronic devices.

I was born/grew up in: China, Xi'an, Shenzhen

I now live in: Montreal, Quebec

I completed my training/education at: I have a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and a Master of Electrical Engineering both from McGill University.

I am an electronics guy. My job is to design the best semiconductor chips in the world. I need to apply math, physics and engineering knowledge at work on a daily basis. When I was at McGill, I was widely recognized as one of the best teaching assistants around. I am very good at explaining STEM topics to students. I was also involved in science fairs where I supervises high school students doing extracurricular STEM projects. I also gave tours of university engineering lab for high school students. This helped them get an idea of what engineering labs are like and how people work with them.

I currently hold a master’s degree in engineering. I was heavily involved in teaching and research activities while in university. I decided to do what I am doing when I was in my 3rd-year of my undergrad program. So far, I have been enjoying what I do. I like to pick up where I left off in education and make contribution to Let's Talk Science.

New challenges are what excite me at my job. This is what helps me enjoy my work. As semiconductor technology advances, we must change our design practice. This could mean we move from doing things one way to doing them in a totally different way.  For example, when the technology changes to allow us to make smaller semiconductors, we need to change how we design those semiconductors so we can take advantage of the new technology. This is the backbone of how IT technologies advance. It's great to see that what I do makes the world better and better.

My semiconductor job helps build the information era in human history. My teaching enthusiasm and capability let me help junior students to explore the STEM world with more fun.

Sports (mostly exercises in gym), music, movies. I am also an active member in the Chinese community and organized multi-cultural events throughout the years.

Stay focused and work hard!

What I do at work

I am an electronics guy. My job is to design the best semiconductor chips in the world. I need to apply math, physics and engineering knowledge at work on a daily basis. When I was at McGill, I was widely recognized as one of the best teaching assistants around. I am very good at explaining STEM topics to students. I was also involved in science fairs where I supervises high school students doing extracurricular STEM projects. I also gave tours of university engineering lab for high school students. This helped them get an idea of what engineering labs are like and how people work with them.

My career path is

I currently hold a master’s degree in engineering. I was heavily involved in teaching and research activities while in university. I decided to do what I am doing when I was in my 3rd-year of my undergrad program. So far, I have been enjoying what I do. I like to pick up where I left off in education and make contribution to Let's Talk Science.

I am motivated by

New challenges are what excite me at my job. This is what helps me enjoy my work. As semiconductor technology advances, we must change our design practice. This could mean we move from doing things one way to doing them in a totally different way.  For example, when the technology changes to allow us to make smaller semiconductors, we need to change how we design those semiconductors so we can take advantage of the new technology. This is the backbone of how IT technologies advance. It's great to see that what I do makes the world better and better.

How I affect peoples’ lives

My semiconductor job helps build the information era in human history. My teaching enthusiasm and capability let me help junior students to explore the STEM world with more fun.

Outside of work I

Sports (mostly exercises in gym), music, movies. I am also an active member in the Chinese community and organized multi-cultural events throughout the years.

My advice to others

Stay focused and work hard!

When I was a student I enjoyed:

  • Foreign Languages
  • Geography
  • History
  • Literature and Language Arts
  • Math
  • Science
  • Technology
  • Computer Science

When I was a student, I would describe myself as someone who:

  • Brought people together
  • Enjoyed doing things on my own
  • Liked helping people
  • Organized activities for my friends
  • Was motivated by success
  • Wanted to be in charge
  • Engaged in volunteer activities
  • Liked reading
  • Played video games
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