Speaking from the US. There aren't many chip fabs here and there's mostly design or applications jobs. How well do you have to do in school to be competitive with the Indians and Chinese for? I'm a senior undergrad in EE with lackluster grades who failed out of a top uni, now working full time fixing aerospace electronics. Every time I read about people like Bob Widlar or William Shockley I get inspired by their stories but also demotivated due to the gap in raw talent and discipline between myself and them.