This document is designed to help you build the knowledge, skills, and experiences that will prepare you for a successful career in technology. Whether you’re just starting your journey or already building projects, it shows you the key skills that engineers and innovators at Arm use every day, from problem-solving and collaboration to adaptability, AI, and leadership.
Each skill section gives you:
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Why it matters – a big-picture idea about why the skill matters at Arm and in the wider tech industry
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Evidence examples – practical ways you can show that you’ve developed this skill, so you can speak confidently about it in applications, interviews, or on your résumé
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How to develop yourself – suggested projects, challenges, and activities that will help you build real experience
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What to read or watch – books, courses, and resources to deepen your understanding and keep you learning. These include Arm and Arm partner materials and additional materials. (Please note that the additional materials are not endorsed by Arm. All were checked, live and accurate at the time of writing.)
Use this content as both a checklist and a launchpad: check off skills you can already evidence and pick out areas where you want to grow. Try small projects, get involved in communities, and take advantage of the many opportunities to learn. The more you build and reflect, the stronger your foundation will be when stepping into college, internships, or your first full-time role.
This isn’t just about technical ability. It’s about becoming the kind of engineer or innovator who can adapt, collaborate, and make a positive impact on the world through technology.
Arm designs the brains of billions of devices—solving problems from energy efficiency to enabling AI.
“Applied structured thinking to solve a technical or real-world problem.”
For example, be able to say that you have:
“Used a micro:bit to collect environmental data and analyzed results to
suggest solutions.”
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Build small coding projects (Python, C) on Arm-based boards (micro:bit, Raspberry Pi, Arduino).
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Take part in STEM challenges (FIRST Robotics, Science Olympiad, Girls Who Code, etc.).
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Use online learning platforms such as Code.org, Khan Academy, or MIT OpenCourseWare to strengthen your computer science foundations.
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Practice breaking big problems into smaller steps.
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Arm School Program resources , in particular the two online courses;
Additional materials:
Arm’s engineers work with partners worldwide—collaboration across cultures drives innovation.
“Contributed effectively to a group project, using digital tools to stay organized.”
For example, be able to say that you have:
“Worked with classmates in different time zones to deliver a coding
project.”
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Join online hackathons or GitHub projects.
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Use collaboration tools (GitHub, Teams, Slack).
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Pair-program or peer review code with classmates.
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Get involved with national STEM organizations that support underrepresented communities, such as NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers), SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers), or AISES (American Indian Science and Engineering Society). These groups provide mentoring, networking, and leadership opportunities.
Additional materials:
Technology changes fast—Arm engineers constantly learn new skills and adapt to new markets.
“Learned and applied a new tool quickly to complete a task.”
For example, be able to say that you have:
“Taught myself TensorFlow basics to build a simple image classifier.”
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Take AP Computer Science courses in high school to prepare for college-level computing pathways.
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Try out new coding languages or frameworks every few months.
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Join online learning platforms (EdX, Coursera, Kaggle, freeCodeCamp).
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Take part in coding competitions with unfamiliar problem sets.
Additional materials:
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TED Talks on lifelong learning and technology
From smartphones to self-driving cars, Arm technology powers AI at the edge. Understanding data and AI is now essential.
“Collected and analyzed data to produce useful insights.”
For example, be able to say that you have:
“Used CreateAI on the micro:bit to train a gesture recognition model and
applied it in a project.”
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Train small ML models with tools like Teachable Machine or Edge Impulse.
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Learn about and how to use Python data libraries (pandas, matplotlib).
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Explore how AI is used in healthcare, sustainability, and accessibility.
- Complete the Introduction to AI online course by Arm Education
Additional materials:
Arm processors are designed for maximum energy efficiency—sustainable computing enables a greener world.
“Considered environmental or ethical impacts in a project.”
For example, be able to say that you have:
“Designed a water monitoring system that helps reduce waste.”
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Enter competitions with a sustainability focus (e.g. UN SDGs).
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Evaluate the energy or resource impact of your projects.
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Debate ethics of AI and tech in class or clubs.
Additional materials:
Leaders at Arm are not just managers—they’re innovators who take initiative and guide others.
“Led a group or initiative to achieve a technical or creative outcome.”
For example, be able to say that you have:
“Organized a coding club at school and introduced peers to micro:bit
projects.”
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Volunteer as project/team lead in group tasks.
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Mentor peers in coding or STEM clubs.
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Start your own small project or competition team.
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Participate in entrepreneurship programs like DECA or the Diamond Challenge to practice pitching ideas, developing business models, and leading innovation projects.
Additional materials:
- Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
Why it matters:
Great engineers don’t just come up with ideas—they know how to turn them into impact. At Arm, engineers combine technical know-how with business thinking, guiding teams, spotting opportunities, and shaping solutions that make a difference.
“I helped my team successfully pitch a project idea at a local hackathon.”
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Explore how technology ideas move from concept to prototype to real-world product.
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Team up with friends to design a mini business plan around a technology project idea.
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Want to see how world-changing ideas get started? Check out these conversations with pioneers who blended vision, leadership, and innovation to create lasting impact:
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Arm Education in Conversation with Sophie Wilson (YouTube video) - Discover the story of how the very first Arm processor was created, and learn why creativity, problem-solving, and “making things” still matter today.
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Arm Education in Conversation with Eben Upton (YouTube video) - Hear the origin story of Raspberry Pi, why Eben chose Arm as the foundation, and his advice to aspiring engineers who want to break into the world of technology. A great example of turning a bold idea into a global success.
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Culture Won: How culture propelled Arm from start-up to global technology phenomenon, Keith Clarke
Additional materials:
Ready to level up your tech journey? Discover our college-level resources that let you dive deeper into the exciting world of computer engineering. Explore how embedded systems power everyday devices, how the Internet of Things (IoT) connects our world, and how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is shaping the future.
Education Kits: These materials are designed to help teaching staff bring the latest Arm technology into the classroom. But if you’re ready to push your skills further, you can download them yourself and start exploring the world of embedded systems, IoT, and AI today.
Online Courses: Explore our freely accessible online courses and discover the latest Arm technologies. From hardware and software design to the principles behind our connected world, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to take your learning to the next level.
Books: Our books guide you from the basics of electrical and computer engineering to advanced overviews of Arm-based technologies. Whether you’re just starting out or aiming for expert-level understanding, these textbooks and references are your path to deeper knowledge and real-world skills. All are available as free PDFs.** **
Why join Arm?
Join the Team Behind One of the Greatest Tech Success Stories
From Austin, Texas, where our largest US office is based, to hubs in San Jose, Chandler, and Boston, Arm is driving the future of computing across America. Whether you’re helping to shape the next generation of processors or working on AI and machine learning, the work you do here will have real-world impact from day one.
Arm has been consistently recognized as a top employer for early careers talent in the US. Our culture is built around innovation, collaboration, and supporting the next generation of engineers. You’ll be empowered to learn, grow, and make a difference while working on projects that push the boundaries of technology.
As part of our emerging talent programmes, you’ll tackle meaningful challenges in areas like AI, sustainability, connectivity, and compute performance. Along the way, you’ll be supported by a dedicated network including your peers, programme team, manager, buddy, and mentor, all here to help you succeed.
Each of our locations brings something unique, but all are connected by a shared purpose: to push technology forward and create positive global change.
Internships & Co-ops
Summer internships and co-op opportunities are available across multiple US offices. Programs run for 12–16 weeks, offering hands-on experience in technical and business roles. You’ll work alongside industry experts, contribute to meaningful projects, and build the foundations of your future career.
Graduate Opportunities
Full-time opportunities for new graduates in both hardware and software engineering. With structured onboarding, mentorship, and global project experience, you’ll be supported in developing both your technical and professional skills.