We all have had our share of moments when ‘someone’ or ‘something’ just drives us to our wit’s end. It could be a bug hard to catch and even fix or it could be a string of sleepless nights spent at work for a chip tape-out. And sometimes it could be a difficult team member or an overly nosy manager. Challenges, be at work or home serve to remind us that life is not a string of Sundays. Yet, they are ‘learnings in disguise’ that push us to work harder, smarter and eventually be the best version of ourselves, isn’t it?
We at VeriFast Technologies firmly believe in the power of brickbats as much as we believe in the power of bouquets. Although we are an established name in the semiconductor arena, we too end up having our share of heartburns. Before I talk further, let me give you a brief introduction about VeriFast Technologies and the work we do.
VeriFast Technologies, a VLSI training and consulting company was established in 2012. With our comprehensive and competent consulting and training expertise, we have a client portfolio ranging from semiconductor giants to startups. We impart ASIC Verification training and consulting and our key strength lies in UVM (Universal Verification Methodology) and SystemVerilog. Besides consulting our way to glory, we have carved many success stories for VLSI aspirants aiming to make it big in the semiconductor domain.
But, like every business owner, we too meet our share of troughs. The ‘lowest’ of the lows we find are the ones where we have ‘nothing’ to take home except frustration of investing our precious time in ‘fastidious souls’. In other words, a date with the ‘hard to please’ ones are outrightly nightmarish. They know it all, yet they know nothing. Their inconclusiveness drives us to the edge. Sometimes, we do manage to convince them, but at times the door is shut behind our backs. Let us take a quick look at one of ‘those’ dialogues between a certain Ms Erica who works for VeriFast Technologies and a certain Mr John who is all starry-eyed about VLSI.
John: I looked up training programs from VeriFast and I think they are quite nice! Honestly, they seem to cover all that my university overlooks, umm..actually ignores!
Erica: Well, that is very interesting and uplifting to know! Glad you like our programs……
John: Does your training program come with a placement guarantee, I wonder?
Erica: YES!
John: Well that is great, but what are the fees like?
Erica: About a couple of grand.
John: <I wasn’t prepared for this> A couple of grand?? Whoaaaa, that is expensive!
Erica: <sorry we aren’t giving any free lunches here, we run a VLSI training and consulting company!> It is perhaps expensive.
John: Can I get a discount?
Erica: What if you pay only 10% of the course fees and pay the rest once you get placed?
John: <Sounds GREAT, but I am sure I can dig more gold more if I haggle> What if I don’t get placed?
Erica: <Well, I think I got to worry about that, don’t I?…remember you can pay 90% after you got placed?!!… Ummm anyway…> Our training programs come with a placement guarantee. So, I think you shouldn’t be worried about NOT finding a job.
John: <How can my fastidious soul give in so soon?!> What if the placement doesn’t happen despite your guarantee? In that case, I surely need to shell out the remainder fees, right?!
Erica: <I repeat, we are a VLSI training and consulting company, not a charity organization> Uhh…yes!
John: <shrugs and sighs> I don’t think I could shell out a few grand later.
Erica: <I so treasure my time with pessimists….aaarrrrrggggghhh!> But, you would have a job that would pay you at least $6-7K a month. That should comfortably take care of the remaining course fees, right?
John: <With much trepidation>, Well that is true….
Erica: <I think, I have fabulous convincing skills> So, when do you wish to begin?!
John: <Isn’t this happening too soon? Maybe I should kill more time with my baseless arguments> Honestly, I am not sure if I want to.
Erica: <Whaaaatttt? I take back my words!> Why do you say that?
John: <Pessimism and I are Siamese twins> Because shelling out a couple of grand for a training course seems unfair to me.
Erica: <trying one of her favourite breathing techniques to get a hold over herself> May I know why that is ‘unfair’?
John: <I am not sure why I said that, but I MUST say something for sure> because it is so expensive!
Erica: <Can I leave the room?> We spoke about it already, anyways, how much did you pay for your university, if I may ask.
John: <No, you may NOT> More than $50K
Erica: <You are RICH! You find my program expensive?!!> I am sure with the fees that you pay, your university gives you a placement guarantee and also a money-back guarantee.
John: <I can smell sarcasm, but for God’s sake don’t rub salt on my wounds!> No, but it is a university course.
Erica: <on the edge now> You mean you paid more than $50K for the university without any guarantees?
John: <I know I am a fool, but because you found out the TRUTH, I am not coming back to you……..> Ummmm…yes. So, Ms Erica hears a deafening silence as Mr John trails off. As I said earlier, he knew that the training program we offer is top-notch and covers those essential aspects that his expensive degree course gives a miss. Sadly, however, in the end, he concludes (I wonder if that could be called a conclusion) as if he knows nothing. This episode reminds me of the popular adage, “Education rarely proves intellect”.