Would folks who left be kind and share your experiences?
20 replies (most recent on top)
I have mixed feelings about my two decades. Part of me is proud of those years as the I and the company changed the the world. The pay was good and have still many friends still slaving away there.
Some sadness and bitterness as well. Sad that in the last ten years our senior managers really blew it. Intel was so rich and had so much resources they really could have rules the digital world. Sad that in such a rich environment arrogance and stupidity ruled decisions. Sad that the company really isn't one where change can come from below where managers and senior leaders can listen, learn and realize they may be wrong and then with courage change. That is truely sad as there is still such talent and resources wasting away misdirected by dogmatic management at the moment.
A bit bitter as to how after 20 years of such hard sacrifice that I was shown the door the way I was because of one friggen L4. Really one L4 and out the door after an inpersonal 30' with HR and a new manager, WOW what a company that says it has the high standards and respects individuals!
In the end happy I am out, would have been easy to stay, but got great new job with better management and far more secure future than what my poor friends at Intel are staring at.
No more people yelling at each other for a miserable salary. No more manager shenanigans and spoiled brat attitudes. No more wasteful meetings and vicious principal engineers trying to get all the attention to the power point slides. No more propaganda telling me "Everything in awesome" when I see HR people doing a perp walk to my laid off colleagues and the fab not meeting 10 nm schedule. No more 360 backstabbing and lies in your focal. No more dark and pervasive cubicles where you can hear and smell your neighbor's farts. No more bs, life is really good and I appreciate every second of it.
I miss Intel badly. I was a high performer but just badly positioned in an apples an oranges situation and my management stopped appreciating my apple situation, hence the SL4. I should have shifted career paths to something more generic where by default my management would be more appreciative of my hard work and good results. is just that colocation limited opportunities in my site and everywhere I looked seemed impacted by the stealthy redeployment so I did not dare to move. I was in IT, made around 180K in total compensation, and have not found jobs in my state that offer to pay more than 70% of that
Thats exactlywhat intel does to a brain!
That would mean your brain is in your 4ss @2rmp.
And... gotta love your signature (2rmp (rump)). So apropos for a comment like yours. lolol
My brain hemorrhoids cleared up but it took two years before i could sleep normally.
Care to share what sorts of health ailments disappeared so quickly after leaving @2xxj?
Serious question there.... I've always thought that stress can make people ill. I wanted out of Intel before I had health problems and always wondered if something was brewing inside that hadn't reared its ugly head yet so I'm very curious what sorts of ailments could go away so quickly after leaving that toxic environment. No job is worth your health.
And.... congrats on that!
Life after intel is AWESOME! All of my severe health problems disappeared after leaving Intel!
Thank you Intel for the money and knowledge I obtained over the years. I was able to find a job quickly and put that knowledge to work.
I miss intel badly. I was given the boot with first l4 after 30 years. Before i was fired i could count on surprise sneak attacks on the behind multiple times a day. Typically once by my boss or her bosss, a few times by an angry subordinate, then a surprise blindside poke from a peer. Icing on the cake was a weekly poke by an hr rep looking to gain favor by identifying owg who could go under the bus.
After leaving intel the only fun i have is when an indian scam artist calls wanting to "fix" my windows critical error or get me to pay my us treasuary bill and keep me from a visit from sherrif and court appearance. My new bosses and co-workers seem more interested in working than climbing over each other to curry favor. They seem to value technical problem solving over political skills.
Boring boring boring.
I forgot to mention that I got a 47% raise plus a massive stock grant (by massive, I mean two years Intel salary). If you have been at Intel long you probably have a compressed salary. I did.
Left Intel a few months after ACT. At another large tech company down the road. Not as large but still large. I do similiar work that I did at Intel, but it is so much more rewarding. People are excited about their job. The CEO is inspiring and his senior leadership know their stuff. And they actually get involved in your work and know the details and offer technical direction and vision. Total breath of fresh air.
I was at Intel 13 years and loved the first ten. I would never go back unless there were earth shattering changes to the culture.
@K79MogC-ajb Work is about a balance of things. Like another poster said do research how hard people work and the culture aren't secrets.
Look how LTD and FSM folks have to work on 14nm and 10nm and their future... now that is bleak train wreck!
I don't agree with your assessment to stick to Intel like glue @ajb. Had you done your homework, you'd have known that Apple works you VERY VERY hard. Duh. Just because Apple works you very hard isn't a reason to stick with Intel. lol Kinda flawed logic there. Sorry.
My best advice is stick to Intel like glue. Intel has best work/life balance compared to other companies. I left Intel voluntarily and joined Apple. What I worked at Intel in 15 years, I worked at Apple in just three years. Very competitive and stressful environment. Enjoy your time at Intel with 20% less salary and spend time with family. Years go fast and time doesn't come back.
Same, I wish I would have left earlier. I was promised by my manager that the future was clear and there was "too much work and not enough resources". Then I got the VSP notices and I took my exit. A year ago I had multiple job offers, now I have none. Hardware Engineer, Hillsboro Oregon here. I waited too long to exit. Now I am joining over 2000 of my ex-Intel engineers who are also looking. But overall my health is much better. My mental state is SOOOOOO much better. Here is a data point. I WOULD NEVER GO BACK AS A BLUE BADGE ANYMORE. It is just not worth it. The culture at intel kills. PERIOD.
I'm one that couldn't wait to get the H out of there. I waited around for a package after becoming eligible so I'm one Happy Camper right now.
I think people need a plan. AND a Plan C and possibly a Plan C. High Tech and this world is changing SO much. Anyone without a plan is going to get caught with their pants down.
I never felt bad why I left intel
So things are good now
I can see sun light in evening after work
Just 10 to 5 work
After 5 relaxation.
It is a lot better. Intel's culture is destroying the company. Keep looking and you will see that Intel doesn't pay very well anymore.
Should have left years earlier when headhunters were calling. I had a birdseye view of the pending train wreck but was too complacent to move my a$$ So happy and learning so much now that I left, will watch the train wreck slowly happen with employment and far less stress and working with a bunch of people who are nice and fun to work with, can you guess where I worked at intel?