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Idaho's other chips Boise, Idaho-based Micron Technology is a leading producer of semiconductor memory components. Founded as a computer consulting firm in an Idaho dentist's basement, Micron sold its first computer memory chips in 1982. It went public in 1984, but chip-dumping by Japan (a reoccuring problem that has grown to include Korean firms as well) nearly drove the firm out of business that same year. In the early 1990s, Micron benefited from an increase in chip demand but subsequently decided to jump into the less volatile PC market. A large portion of Micron's sales come from its subsidiary Micron Electronics, a direct-sales notebook, desktop, and network server maker. Micron is the largest memory chip supplier for Compaq and Gateway, among others. Turbulent management, turbulent markets Recently, Micron has been plagued by internal struggles that resulted in the departure of the company's three top executives. In addition, one of Micron's core businesses, dynamic random access memory (DRAM), has significantly weakened in the face of renewed competition. Demand for DRAM has historically been based on the vagaries of the PC market, though new applications now exist for chips in digital cameras and 3-D games. Awaiting settlement of its internal disputes and a rise in chip demand, Micron has put its new $2.5 billion chip-making facility in Lehi, Utah on hold, announcing that "the Company will not outfit or equip the Lehi facility until market conditions warrant." Furthermore, the company, citing the chaotic chip market, refused to make sales predictions. Still, employees say the "leadership of Micron is progressive and determined to make the company one of the top five computer marketers in the world." Micro Microns Micron consists of myriad subsidiaries, most of which bear some version of the Micron name. One of the newer and more successful of these is Micron Electronics (MEI), founded in 1995 through a merger of ZEOS International, Micron Computer, and Micron Customer Manufacturing. Micron Technology (MTI) owns approximately 79 percent of Micron Electronics. Over the top in the memory chip biz In 1998, MTI bought the memory-chip business of struggling Texas Instruments for $800 million, well below the market price. The deal, in which Texas Instruments became MTI's largest shareholder with a 12 percent stake, sends MTI past Samsung into the top spot in the memory chip business. Chip price increases in 2000 have helped Micron recoup recent losses. Also in 2000, the company decided to increase its participation in the flash memory market (chips used in digital cameras, handheld computers, and digital phones). The company hopes to capitalize on projected explosive growth in the market for flash memory by bolstering flash production from one percent to nearly five percent of all business.
Micron Technology's employment information is listed in one of the most comprehensive career information pages on the Web. Consult www.micron.com/html/employment.html for information on Micron's subsidiaries and for links to each subsidiary's job opportunities, benefits, and qualifications. Applicants should note that each subsidiary - as well as the different plants within each subsidiary - has a separate postal and e-mail address to which resumes can be sent. Please note that MEI and MTI have different human resources departments. Employees say that Micron "will accept resumes, but still require an application for serious consideration."
No Dilberts here Employees at this "laid-back" and "easygoing" computer company call the benefits "generous" and the pay scale "competitive." "We all get our work done," says a support engineer, "but it is not a Dilbert environment." Micron "works hard" to "guarantee employee satisfaction," and its internal promotion policy provides "ample" advancement opportunities "even from the ground floor." Bonuses and stock options sometimes even "surpass the base salary" and the company "actively encourages" employees to continue their education by paying for it. One employee cites Micron's support of the handicapped as a plus. Others point out that "Micron has a large Hispanic and Asian population." However, "the pay is a little under the market, and DRAM dumping has hurt." It's an Idaho thing Micron's location in bucolic Boise is a plus for some employees as well. "I like the family environment ? low crime, outdoor activities, low population density, friendly people," says one recent hire. Also, "several companies in the area offer Micron employees discounts." Another employee says: "People are honest here - it's an Idaho thing." Better like Idaho a lot if you want to work for Micron, because "anyone who wants to climb the corporate ladder will have to live there." Good perks may alleviate the potential potato-bound boredom. "There is medical, vision, dental, and life insurance. There is a 401(k) plan in which Micron will match contributions up to $1,500 a year. There is also profit sharing, which rises and falls with the condition of Micron and the semiconductor market." The excellent health facilities include "a new gym, and medical staff. You don't have to pay anything to use the gym, and the medical staff only charges $10 to treat you." Employees in manufacturing may work a compressed workweek, with three 12-hour shifts one week and four such days the next, while management, marketing, and engineering employees work a traditional eight to five day. "They do try to be fair to the hard workers," says an employee, "and I have even seen a few discretionary bonuses. There is also a good stock purchase plan. Each employee gets 100 shares at the lowest point that the stock was in the past year." Just keep a C average The dress code is "pretty basic and reasonable - pants or skirts - no shorts or microminis, no tank tops, and no tattered clothing." Micron will pay for a college or graduate degree "if you want to go for it while you're working, which I'm currently doing," says one studious employee. "Micron keeps paying as long as you keep a C average." While Micron has grown dramatically in the past few years, says one employee, "a sense of entrepreneurialism can still be rewarded. The work environment is moderately casual, and we don't place a lot of emphasis on office status. Our CEO sits in a cubicle."
Acer;Alliance Semiconductor;Apple Computer;Cypress Semiconductor;Dell Computer;Gateway;IBM;Samsung;Sun Microsystems More Company Profiles For more career information, go to Vault.com ©2000, Vault.com Inc
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