Educators participate in externship program at Samsung Austin Semiconductor, leave with knowledge to help students

In June, Samsung Austin Semiconductor hosted seven teachers from area school districts as part of the Workforce Solutions Capital Area and Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area Educator Externship Program. The paid externship program allows educators to visit companies in Central Texas where they can gain insight into both the technical and essential skills required in an ever-changing workplace. 

At Samsung Austin Semiconductor, we hosted five teachers from Taylor Independent School District (ISD) and two from Round Rock Independent School District. During the three days, they learned about our company, semiconductor manufacturing and the career opportunities we offer. Bolstering the talent pipeline and building educational partnerships is part of our 5-star Workforce Development plan.

Teachers attending the externship program can integrate what they learn into their teaching plans and classroom management to better prepare students for future careers.

Johnny Pham, a physics teacher at Round Rock High School, says even with his science background, the tour of Samsung Austin Semiconductor gave him a better understanding of semiconductor manufacturing.

“I've never had to apply physics to a semiconductor but now that I have this kind of background knowledge and this overview of how it's produced, I'm able to translate that to my students,” Pham explains. “A big part of education is just being able to take very complex ideas and translate them so someone else can understand.”

Pham applied to be a part of the program to help his students with their future endeavors.

 “I wanted to be able to provide them at least some kind of guidance, some kind of stepping-off point,” says Pham. “Everybody's path is so different. And so I just want to give them diverse options and the paths to take.”

First-year science teacher with Taylor ISD Joseph Thompson has a manufacturing engineering background so he was excited about being able to learn more about semiconductor manufacturing.

“This was incredible,” says Thompson. “I can't believe I got paid to come here and learn about all these different manufacturing techniques.”

Last year, Samsung Austin Semiconductor announced a $1 million donation to help build a new career and technical education (CTE) building at Taylor High School. Thompson says the new building will provide his students with valuable hands-on experience.”

 “I can take what I've learned here and help with developing our manufacturing and technical pathways at Taylor High School and help educate students on what is available here,” adds Thompson.

With Taylor High School right down the street from Samsung Austin Semiconductor's Taylor campus, Thompson has seen the project come to life. “I can look out the window in my new classroom and I can see the Samsung construction from my classroom, which is cool.”

Clayton Tucker, a teacher with 32 years of experience, is currently teaching digital media, video and graphic design at Taylor High School.

After experiencing the program, Tucker believes his “students would be fascinated by knowing what’s being built [in Taylor] and that they can be a part of that.”

“You have people from all over the place working here. You have people who have college degrees. You have people who don't have college degrees, yet they're working together and producing these products. It's just a very impressive operation,” continues Tucker.

While Tucker understands it can be hard for some to grasp the magnitude of what Samsung is building in Taylor, he knows the beneficial impact it will have on his students.

“There are multiple positions, multiple pathways to get a great job for the future. And I think that's a really great opportunity for Taylor. Some schools don't have that,” explains Tucker.

According to Workforce Solutions, the externship program has a 98% completion rate, with more than 16,600 rural Capital Area students benefiting from educator experiences.