Third Taylor ISD cohort wraps up summer internship with Samsung Austin Semiconductor

Now in the third year of coordinating Samsung Austin Semiconductor’s internship program with Taylor Independent School District (ISD), Jennifer Sabrsula in Workforce Development oversees the pipeline of incoming talent.

"The exposure to such a big company has widened the prospective goals for these high-school students," Sabrsula said. "I'm proud to see the students hone their communication and networking skills."

Over six weeks, 24 students are assigned to a variety of departments across our Austin and Taylor campuses.

Returning intern Angelo Cho was assigned to the Infra Technology team at the Taylor campus. Cho said he learned to take copious notes and was always eager to ask questions.

The biggest challenge for Cho was learning all the different systems that support the fab. "It was difficult learning what everything does and how it all intertwines with each other," added Cho. "My mentors were so nice. They took me out in the field and showed me how everything fit together."

This fall, Cho is headed to Concordia University to study computer science.

“The quality of the students’ work ethic and diligence is impressive for their age,” Kwee Lan Teo, head of Workforce Development at Samsung Austin Semiconductor, said. “Several of our internal departments have expressed a desire to work with the high school students again.”

The culmination of the internship ended with a celebration on July 19, where we welcomed the students’ family members, Taylor ISD officials, local elected officials and Samsung Austin Semiconductor executives.

Before the start of the ceremony, Taylor ISD Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen spent some time talking to the students about their internship.

• 2023 Class: Samsung Austin Semiconductor internship is ‘shining example of what we wanted for Taylor ISD’

"My favorite part of this morning has been meeting each of the students and learning about their favorite part of the internship," Garcia-Edwardsen said.

“While your peers are out enjoying their summer break, you decided to get paid, but also expose yourself to industry and give up your summer break,” Taylor Mayor Dwayne Ariola said during the ceremony.

Second-year intern, Melanie Badillo, spoke about her time with the Communications and Community Affairs and how she expanded her writing and video editing skills this summer.

"When you have good people willing to help you, teach you, and teach you their skill—a lot is possible," Badillo, who is going to The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in the fall, said.

Taylor ISD school board president Marco Ortiz reflected on the importance of the district’s partnership with Samsung Austin Semiconductor. 

“This is such a great partnership that we’ve built with Samsung,” Ortiz explained. “It’s not just building chips, it’s designing, it’s procuring, working with suppliers. There are all types of opportunities here that you guys got to witness. Congratulations and looking forward to what you’re going to do in the future.”

Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell echoed Ortiz with the following words of encouragement for the students: “You, young people, can change the world. And that change begins at Samsung here in Austin. You are the future leaders.”

As Samsung Austin Semiconductor continues to grow in Taylor, Jeffrey Go, executive vice president of the Taylor site, hopes the students consider a career with us. “Taylor is wide open for you students, for the future. We will be waiting,” Go said.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this year's internship program another successful one.

For Taylor ISD students who are interested in a paid internship, applications open in the spring.