Meet the Arizonans working at TSMC

Story by Jessica Boehm, originally published via Axios Phoenix.

PHOENIX, AZ (May 6, 2025) – We got the chance to meet a few of the Arizonans working at TSMC. 

Zoom in: Here’s a quick snapshot of their stories:

👋 Meet Mark: Phoenix native Mark Toro was hired as a technician in 2022 after taking the Semiconductor Technician Quick Start program at age 19.

• When he started, the company was operating out of a temporary facility near Metrocenter.
• He’s now a backup lead technician, with plans to move into a team lead role when his current manager, here on temporary assignment, returns to Taiwan.

What’s next: Toro told us he’s taking advantage of the company’s compressed schedule (three 12-hour shifts one week, followed by four 12-hour shifts the next) to pursue an engineering degree that would allow him to become a supervisor in his department.

👋 Meet Taylor: ASU graduate Taylor Gowdy, who grew up in the Valley, was hired as an equipment engineer last July.

• She told us she didn’t know much about TSMC when she was recruited out of ASU, but current engineering students are now reaching out to her to learn about opportunities within the company.

What they’re saying: “It’s been very exciting to see the tech and engineering fields grow in Arizona. Not a lot of people have these opportunities in many cities,” she said.

New TSMC apprentices Nolan Cottingham and Jennifer De La Cruz pose with Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego (left) at the apprenticeship signing ceremony in April. Photo: Courtesy of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.

👋 Meet Nolan: 22-year-old Nolan Cottingham was working at In-N-Out Burger before starting as a technician apprentice last month.

• A Boulder Creek High School graduate, Cottingham told us he was interested in a tech job and had been watching for TSMC opportunities since he learned about the company in 2020.

What they’re saying: “Being able to have a career in an advanced industry with zero debt is something I’m really, really thankful for,” he said.

👋 Meet Jennifer: Jennifer De La Cruz, a 25-year-old mother of two, learned about TSMC through the Fresh Start Women’s Foundation, which connects local women with stable, high-wage employment. She was previously working at Wendy’s.

• It was a “drastic change,” but she said she’s proud to be a part of a company that’s important to the state and national economy and hopes her career change is motivational for her children. 

What they’re saying: “If you would’ve told me a year ago I’d be here, I’d think you were lying. I would’ve thought I’d still be working at Wendy’s,” she said.

About Fresh Start Women’s Foundation 

Fresh Start’s mission is to provide access and resources that help women achieve self-sufficiency and use their strength to thrive. Our ultimate vision is to create unlimited opportunities for women. Over three decades, Fresh Start has supported more than 50,000 Arizona women, serving approximately 3,000 women each year. 86% are mothers, 60% are single mothers and 64% are women of color. Fresh Start offers focused programs, services, access to training and education, as well as employment and career services to help women reach their personal and professional goals. For more information, visit freshstartwomen.org or connect with us on Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.