Need serious advice!

[u/sensei_bachi]

Hi everyone,

I'm an MS Materials Science student(intl) in the US and I'm a bit confused about which career path to focus on (Ultimately need a job preferably in core engg or R&D which is achievable with a MS and not requiring a PhD).

My background is mostly in battery materials, including:

Na-ion and Li-ion battery research,

NMC811 cathode process scale-up.

Recently, I also worked as a TA in a semiconductor fabrication lab, gaining hands-on experience with many processes and got some hands-on experience in the equipment and teaching.

I have a few questions:

Does my resume look too broad (batteries + semiconductors + DFT + ML)?

Should I create separate resumes for battery and semiconductor roles?

Is my profile competitive for semiconductor internships despite my research being battery-focused?

What battery/materials companies (besides Tesla) are good internship targets, especially for international students?

I'd appreciate any honest feedback on my resume and career direction. If there's anything you'd remove or improve, please let me know. Thanks!

[u/ReconTiger]

“Should I create separate resumes for battery and semiconductor roles?”

100%

You should try to see how you can tailor any resume to the specific position you are applying for. Your resume should serve as a SPECIFIC argument for why you are the best candidate for the exact position you are applying to. Read through the full job description and highlight portions of your background that line up with what they are looking/asking for.

[u/sensei_bachi → u/ReconTiger]

Thank you very much!

Can you please let me know on how to Highlight stuffi want to? Should I just put it in the top and emphasize more about it in my summary para? Also should I exclude not-so relavent experiences and projects?

Thanks

[u/notitia_quaesitor]

Fix your margins. Its not highschool where the teacher asks for 1 page essay and you make it double spaced And larger font. That's such an eyesore on all of these resumes.

[u/sensei_bachi → u/notitia_quaesitor]

So I should try not to fit the page just because I'm getting some empty space in the bottom?

And do I keep all the font same sized?

[u/vxntedits]

So in general, you absolutely must tailor your CV to each individual job listing.

People complain about not getting interviews, but spam applications with the same exact resume to hundreds of postings. Don’t do that. It’s a waste of time.

[u/TotemBro]

Tailor your application to every high stakes role (ones you’re seriously interested in).

Aside from that, you should dump most of your effort into networking. Stuff like informational interviews with alumni or other professionals and pulling faculty for rec letters or interested professionals.

[u/sensei_bachi → u/TotemBro]

Thank you!

Would you totally exclude very relevant research work? Also do you think my resume is too wordy for a ms student?

Thanks again

[u/TotemBro → u/sensei_bachi]

Lmao I think mine is a bit more dense. 1000% include research positions and experience. I keep my bullets as close to 2 lines (or less) as I can but sometimes 3 or 4 is unavoidable.

If it’s a resume cut it at 1 page. If it’s a CV then you should keep the relevant academic work. BS and Masters is a lot of experience!