From Semiconductors to Machine Learning: A Career in Data and Teaching
Dashel Ruiz Perez has built his career across semiconductor engineering, software development, and machine learning. He worked with complex industrial datasets at Microchip Technology, transitioned into software and analytics, and most recently taught programming and data skills at major universities through ThriveDX.
In this conversation, Dashel shares how data shaped his work in manufacturing, what it takes to teach ML effectively, and how completing ML Zoomcamp influenced his career growth.
We plan to cover:
Using data in semiconductor manufacturing and engineering
Lessons from teaching programming and ML at scale
First-hand experience with ML Zoomcamp: projects, takeaways, and career impact
Moving from dashboards to ML-powered applications
Advice for professionals transitioning into data and AI later in their careers
About the speaker
Dashel Ruiz Perez is a data analyst, ML engineer, and educator based in Oregon, USA. He spent nearly a decade at Microchip Technology, where he worked across production, process, yield, and software engineering roles. Today, he teaches programming and data skills at major U.S. universities through ThriveDX and continues to deepen his expertise in machine learning and AI. Dashel holds degrees in computer science and data analytics from Western Governors University and is a graduate of ML Zoomcamp.
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