Super valuable advice. The program I’m considering has VLSI design, chip architecture, and FPGA work all at the graduate level. I don’t know if the school has fabs but it’s seemingly well known and well funded so maybe?

As a part of this degree I’ve also selected coursework that is more related to CS. I’m looking at a compilers class, OS class, and neural networks as well.

With a focus on FPGA do you think that’s broadly applicable and evenly distributed geographically? I am prepared to move for certain industries, like working in space technology

Space tech is yet another cool industry. It is most certainly localized in a small number of locales and competition for jobs is fierce.

As for FPGAs, the skills in that area are most in demand by companies producing advanced electronics, e.g. video, networking, some industrial and scientific processes.

I see BioTech / MedTech as being two very high potential areas. Of course, the manufacturers of such equipment are generally located in already highly industrialized areas.