Hi, All,

I am thinking about my next step in my IC design career. Your inputs are valuable to me.

I had 5-year working experience in digital IC design.

Then, I have another 5-year working experience in analog IC design.

During the second 5 years, I also got a PhD degree in part time, with research in low power ADC design.

During last 7 years, I worked in a remote design center of a US fabless IC company.  In Aug 2013, I came to Europe to work as a postdoc in an known university.

I am considering my next step:

a) Stay in academic.  
I like to generate new circuit ideas. I also like the design flow: sch + layout. Very proud of "LVS clean".
However, I am not well tuned to the same frequency for publication. Basically, it is hard to fulfill all reviewers' comments.
To me, it is easier (and funnier) to have discussion with fellow designers in company, compared with reading the comments from reviewers.  

b) Go to USA
After working in the remote design center for 7 years, I realized most of interesting work are done in US. However, it is not easy to get a H1B visa since I am an asian.


c) Go back to Aisa.
I know there are a lot of opportunities in China. However, I am a bit concerned about the air quality there. Similar trade-off in IC designs.


d) Change to  application engineer
since I have experience in digital IC design, analog IC design, firmware design, software design and PCB design. And I am also good at debugging.


e)  Change to mixed-signal verification engineer
since I have experience in both digital IC design & analog IC design.
It is fairly easy for me to write the behavioral model in veriloga/ams. I agree verification is critical; however, it is also a bit boring compared with trade-offs in design. I am more interested in solving the circuit issues in design and debugging.

Any inputs are welcomed.

Thank you.