Iago: Learning through responsibility

When Iago joined SemiQon in the summer of 2024, he had just completed his bachelor’s degree in quantum technology. He first heard about the company at a student career event and felt that SemiQon’s work was closely connected to what he was studying.

His summer focused on simulations, using software tools to model the physics of SemiQon’s devices. Early on, what stood out was the level of trust he was given.

"You feel trusted to think independently and take ownership of your work"

That trust also showed up in practical decisions. Early on, Iago was trusted to design and set up the computing environment needed for his simulation work, which in practice meant building a classical computer from scratch.

“That kind of delegation of trust is very nice,” he says. “You feel trusted to think independently and take ownership of your work. But of course, it also comes with responsibility.”

Working alongside his studies also influenced the choices Iago made at university, and the learning went both ways. Because of his work at SemiQon, he started selecting more courses related to optimization and operations research, where theory connects directly to real problems.

“You’re really putting the equations into real life,” he says.

What he learned in those courses then fed back into his work at SemiQon, bringing new ideas and perspectives.

After his first summer at SemiQon in 2024, Iago continued working part-time alongside his studies and later returned full-time for the summer of 2025. His work gradually developed into a master’s thesis shaped together with SemiQon. Through the company’s network, he spent a semester in Basel, Switzerland, working with a research group and using SemiQon devices in a different measurement setup.

“In the end, the whole collaboration and the thesis really came to be because of the company,” he says. “I wouldn’t have chosen this topic without working at SemiQon.”

Looking back, Iago sees the experience as an important step in understanding what kind of work he enjoys.

“I didn’t have everything figured out when I applied,” he says. “But the experience helped me understand what I like and what I want to explore next.”

Minttu: Doing work that clearly matters

Minttu joined SemiQon in the summer of 2025 while studying engineering physics, with a focus on quantum technology and materials physics. She applied through an open application, motivated by curiosity and a desire to see what working life looks like outside academia.

Her main task during the summer was integrating cleanroom process data into SemiQon’s database by writing Python scripts that turned fabrication data into usable information.

“I felt that my tasks were interesting, and I kind of got hooked on doing it,” she says. “It was motivating to know that what I was building was actually needed and used by the company.”

For Minttu, it was especially rewarding to hear that the code she wrote was genuinely needed and used. She also describes the working atmosphere as collaborative, with a high level of trust and good teamwork.

“It was motivating to know that what I was building was actually needed and used by the company.”

Another positive surprise was the level of transparency. Minttu felt she gained a clear picture of what was happening across the company through common meetings, not just within her own tasks.

“I got to hear about the whole company, how things are progressing and what topics are relevant in different areas,” she says. “When you don’t yet have a clear idea of what you want to do in the future, that kind of transparency is especially valuable for us students.”

During the summer, Minttu gained valuable experience in semiconductor processing and cleanroom device fabrication, which had previously been unfamiliar to her. In addition to her main project, she worked on a small web interface for data handling and discovered a new interest in software development. Overall, the experience strengthened her motivation to work in quantum technology.

Beyond the technical work, time spent with the team was also memorable. A company trip to Tallinn was a highlight of Minttu’s time at SemiQon and offered an opportunity to connect with colleagues outside the office.

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Advice for other students

Neither Iago nor Minttu applied with a clearly defined career path in mind. Instead, they saw the summer as a chance to explore and learn.

“Most students don’t necessarily have a clear idea of what they enjoy professionally,” Iago says. “The best way to find out is to put yourself out of your comfort zone. The more experiences you have, the more reference points you gain for what you enjoy and what you want to do next.”

Minttu encourages students to take a proactive approach.

“If there’s a company that really interests you, just apply,” she says. “I ended up at SemiQon by sending an open application.”

Both see summer work, especially in a smaller company, as a way to build confidence, learn responsibility, and better understand what kind of work feels meaningful.

"The more experiences you have, the more reference points you gain for what you enjoy and what you want to do next.”

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Looking ahead

Every summer, SemiQon works with students who bring curiosity, motivation, and a genuine interest in future-shaping technologies. Information about summer opportunities and how to apply is available on our careers page.

Sometimes, a single summer is enough to clarify what kind of work feels meaningful. Curiosity and a willingness to learn are often enough to begin.

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