# 264: Do It for the Herd

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2018-10-18
- Length: 1h 04m
- Episode: 264
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-10-18-264-do-it-for-the-herd
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/264-do-it-for-the-herd

## Summary

Chris Feck, an embedded software engineer and recruiter at iRobot, discusses the company's hiring practices, emphasizing the importance of candidates researching companies before career fairs and demonstrating genuine interest through projects like building a Roomba clone. He explains that iRobot recruits heavily from robotics-focused universities such as MIT, Carnegie Mellon, and Georgia Tech, and advises students to leverage student clubs for meaningful interactions rather than relying solely on crowded career fairs. Feck also addresses common pitfalls in job applications, such as poorly written job descriptions that inflate experience requirements, and recommends using free toolchains like GCC and GDB with affordable boards like STM32 or MSP430 for aspiring embedded engineers.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-10-18-264-do-it-for-the-herd#t=6) Introduction: Chris Feck and iRobot Recruiting
- [6:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-10-18-264-do-it-for-the-herd#t=375) iRobot's Engineering Culture and Product Challenges
- [11:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-10-18-264-do-it-for-the-herd#t=664) University Recruitment Strategy and Target Schools
- [16:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-10-18-264-do-it-for-the-herd#t=977) Navigating Career Fairs and Quick Interviews
- [23:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-10-18-264-do-it-for-the-herd#t=1389) How to Stand Out in 45-Minute Technical Interviews
- [28:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-10-18-264-do-it-for-the-herd#t=1717) The Reality of Job Descriptions and Experience Requirements
- [35:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-10-18-264-do-it-for-the-herd#t=2105) Tips for Standing Out and Getting Hired
- [42:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-10-18-264-do-it-for-the-herd#t=2529) How to Get a Job in Embedded Systems
- [51:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-10-18-264-do-it-for-the-herd#t=3076) Low-Cost Embedded Development Tools and Boards
- [59:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-10-18-264-do-it-for-the-herd#t=3583) Career Advice and Final Thoughts

## Topics

- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- iRobot (company)
- Roomba (product)
- MIT (other)
- Carnegie Mellon (other)
- Georgia Tech (other)
- WPI (other)
- Northeastern (other)
- Purdue (other)
- Sphero (product)
- STM32 (chip)
- MSP430 (chip)
- ESP32 (chip)
- Arduino (other)
- Raspberry Pi (other)
- GCC (tool)
- GDB (tool)
- J-Link (tool)
- Black Magic Probe (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep. 14: Zero to H.I.R.O.: The Path to Becoming a Full-Stack Mechatronics Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robo-success-podcast/2026-08-18-ep-14-zero-to-h-i-r-o-the-path-to-becoming-a-full-stack-mechatronics-engineer) (The Robo Success Podcast)
- [BONUS: A Look Inside the 2022 A3 Business Forum](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-02-22-bonus-a-look-inside-the-2022-a3-business-forum) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [The Robots Aren’t Coming For Your Jobs | Venture For America, Pittsburgh Robotics Network | Jenny Sharpe](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tradeoffs/2026-09-16-the-robots-arent-coming-for-your-jobs-venture-for-america-pittsburgh-robotics-ne) (TRADEOFFS)
- [Ep. 4 |The Future Is Coding: Experts from iRobot and STMicroelectronics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-06-25-ep-4-the-future-is-coding-experts-from-irobot-and-stmicroelectronics) (Moore's Lobby)
- [Jobs For Weirdos](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-08-14-jobs-for-weirdos) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-10-18-264-do-it-for-the-herd. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.