Pranjal Joshi – From Code to Chips: How a CSE Girl Found Her Place in the VLSI Industry

Pranjal Joshi’s story is not the typical “CSE-to-software-success” arc. After completing her Computer Science Engineering degree, she joined a reputed software company—something most of her peers celebrated. But for Pranjal, the spark just wasn’t there.

Day after day of routine coding left her feeling disconnected. It wasn’t the kind of impact she had envisioned making. “Is this really what I want to do for the rest of my life?” she often asked herself.

A New Direction: The VLSI Trigger

During this phase of uncertainty, a college senior who had transitioned into the semiconductor industry introduced her to VLSI EXPERT. Curious and hopeful, Pranjal reached out and eventually connected with Puneet Mittal, the founder of VLSI EXPERT.

Their conversation changed everything.

Pranjal recalls, “That one interaction gave me more clarity and confidence than I had felt in months. Puneet sir didn’t just talk about the industry—he showed me a path I never knew existed.”

Encouraged and inspired, she enrolled in the Placement-Oriented Program offered by VLSI EXPERT, under the direct mentorship of Puneet Mittal and Niti Gupta.

Training That Changed Her Trajectory

The program was intense. It covered everything—from Digital Design and Verilog to RTL to GDSII flow, timing constraints, and tool-based hands-on training. For someone from a CSE background, these were new and challenging territories. But Pranjal approached every concept with unwavering dedication.

What stood out was not just the technical depth, but the ecosystem of support:

• Assignments that tested her understanding

• Mock interviews that prepared her for the real-world

• Continual feedback that refined her learning journey

She says, “The way Puneet sir and Niti ma’am explained each topic—it wasn’t just teaching, it was mentoring. I never felt like I was doing this alone.”

Her Breakthrough

Within a few months, Pranjal built a strong portfolio of projects. She became comfortable talking about setup/hold violations, floorplanning, clock tree synthesis, and even scripting for automation in the flow—something her software roots helped with.

Her confidence showed in interviews. When asked about her transition, she proudly shared, “It’s not easy, but it’s not impossible either—especially when you have the right mentors.”

She cracked her placement in a semiconductor company’s Physical Design team, leaving the interviewers impressed with her clarity, practical knowledge, and composure.

Where She Is Now

Today, Pranjal is a Physical Design Engineer, working on real-world chips that power smart devices. From CSE classrooms to chip tape-outs—her journey is a reminder that it’s never too late to pivot with purpose.

Key Takeaways for Students:

• Don’t ignore dissatisfaction—sometimes it’s the push you need toward something greater.

• Right guidance can make a world of difference. Mentors matter.

• With dedication and structured learning (like the Placement Oriented Program by VLSI EXPERT), even non-ECE students can thrive in VLSI.

• The mock interviews, hands-on assignments, and constant support prepare you for not just a job but a career.

In her words - let's hear her voice.