Over the past 14 weeks, I had the privilege of working as a Servo Engineer Intern at TAEC in San Jose. This experience has been incredibly transformative, laying a solid foundation for my career. Before my first day, I was filled with excitement at the prospect of diving deeper and learning more about Hard Disk Drives. Yet, nothing could have prepared me for the sheer complexity involved in ensuring they operate reliably and efficiently. Each day brought new lessons, expanding my understanding in ways I hadn't anticipated, and these moments made my time here all the more enriching.
My journey wouldn’t have been nearly as rewarding without the remarkable people I encountered at TAEC. From my initial interaction with my manager, it was clear that this was an environment where my growth would be nurtured. After my interview, I reached out to my manager for resources to help me prepare, and she not only suggested a few but also personally delivered an internal textbook that proved invaluable early on. Her gesture spoke volumes about the level of care and dedication at TAEC, reassuring me that support would always be available when needed. Reflecting on my time here, I realize how often my colleagues generously shared their knowledge, welcoming every question with enthusiasm. This kind of environment is perfect for me, as it fosters the curiosity and learning that drive my growth.
I had numerous moments of awe, asking others about their projects and marveling at the extensive work required to keep HDDs functioning reliably. One of the highlights was a weekend trip to Santa Cruz with a group of colleagues—a perfect example of the sense of connection and community that made this experience so memorable. From lunch invitations that made me feel like part of the team to casual conversations about work and life, these interactions are what I’ll miss the most.
On a professional level, this summer allowed me to expand my skill set significantly. I became proficient with servo tools, from building and loading different firmware codes onto drives to developing servo tracing features on the Linux side using ATDD class. I also worked on reducing computation delays in a critical function that reports the head's position to the control system. These experiences not only deepened my interest in specific areas of engineering but also highlighted new fields I’m eager to explore further in my studies.
Overall, I am deeply grateful—first and foremost to God for surrounding me with such amazing individuals, and to everyone who made this summer truly unforgettable.
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc.