Graduate of Quantum Engineering in Turin, Italy: "Exploring the frontiers of nature during my studies"
Marco Parentin has made history as the first graduate of the only master's degree in Quantum Engineering in Italy. His journey in this cutting-edge field began during his bachelor's degree in Trieste, where he discovered his fascination with pushing the limits of nature and manipulating the smallest particles.
Parentin's hard work in the last months paid off when he completed the Quantum Engineering master's degree course in time for the July session at the Politecnico di Torino, one of the few universities in Italy to own a quantum computer.
Quantum Engineering offers a career with strong growth potential, high salaries, and roles at the cutting edge of technology. The global quantum computing market is projected to reach $8.6 billion by 2027, growing at around 30% CAGR. In the U.S., quantum jobs are growing at approximately 25% per year, with an expected 5,000 - 7,000 new jobs by 2027. Salaries for quantum computing engineers in the U.S. range roughly between $125,000 and $180,000 annually.
However, the field also presents challenges such as talent scarcity, interdisciplinary demands, and a partly opaque job market that aspiring professionals must navigate. Professionals with strong backgrounds in software engineering, physics, or mathematics can transition by learning quantum-specific concepts like quantum mechanics basics, linear algebra, and quantum development kits (e.g., Qiskit, Amazon Braket). Entry-level roles and internships exist for fresh graduates equipped with foundational quantum knowledge and programming skills, offering pathways to build experience.
Career opportunities in Quantum Engineering are diverse, including roles as a Quantum Hardware Engineer, Quantum Algorithm Developer, Quantum Software Engineer, Quantum Cryptographer, and Quantum Systems Engineer. Each role requires a unique set of skills, but all contribute to the development of quantum technologies.
Despite the challenges, Parentin feels honored to be the first graduate of the Quantum Engineering master's degree in Italy, but does not feel special in any way. He took a risk by choosing the Quantum Engineering path due to uncertainty about job prospects, but he believes it was in line with his Electronic Engineering background.
Applying quantum mechanics is currently very expensive, limiting its use to specific contexts. However, the benefits are undeniable. Quantum mechanics allows for unprecedented precision in the field of sensors using classical techniques and provides 100% message protection in communication, unlike modern cryptography.
As the first Italian Quantum Engineer, Marco Parentin is poised to make significant contributions to this rapidly expanding field. His success serves as an inspiration for others considering a career in Quantum Engineering.
- Marco Parentin's trajectory, rooted in a fascination with quantum physics during his bachelor's degree, may lead to promising opportunities in the health-and-wellness sector, as quantum technologies could potentially revolutionize medicine by offering unprecedented precision in diagnostics and treatments.
- Completing his master's degree in Quantum Engineering, Marco Parentin might seek to expand his expertise beyond the field of engineering, leveraging technology with an emphasis on education-and-self-development to facilitate quantum learning for a broader audience, catering to the growing need for a skilled workforce in this domain.
- Aspiring professionals eyeing a career in Quantum Engineering, following in the footsteps of Marco Parentin, should be mindful of the interdisciplinary nature of the field, ensuring a strong foundation in both science (physics, mathematics) and technology (software engineering, fitness-and-exercise, as mental and physical well-being play a crucial role in developing quantum algorithms).
