At any given time, Samtec has approximately 80-90 co-ops working in its different global locations. The mission of Samtec’s co-op program is part of its commitment to education and investment in young talent. Samtec co-ops complete real-world projects, gain valuable on-the-job skills, make meaningful contributions to Samtec initiatives, and expand their network as they move through the multi-year program. Many go on to full-time positions within the company after graduation.
Program’s Value for Samtec
By offering a comprehensive and dynamic program, Samtec aims to provide the best experience for the co-ops while preparing them for their future careers. Through this program, Samtec benefits from fresh ideas and new perspectives from the co-ops, all while developing a pipeline of talent. In fact, the entire co-op experience could be considered an “extended interview process,” while Samtec associates impart knowledge about systems, methodologies, and culture, they are also assessing the co-op’s adaptability and role fit. Simultaneously, the co-ops are assessing if Samtec is a good cultural fit for them as well. As the program continues, the full time Samtec associates get to welcome new co-ops each semester, and the fun begins!
Where Co-Ops Work
Samtec offers four or more rotational opportunities within each discipline for its co-ops, who join the program as college sophomores or first-semester juniors. The list of available disciplines includes mechanical engineering, business, IT, controls engineering, data & analytics, electrical engineering/signal integrity, safety, and chemical engineering.
In addition to Samtec’s headquarters in New Albany, IN, USA, co-ops are recruited for other locations, including Wilsonville, OR; Santa Clara, CA; Phoenix, AZ; Vista, CA; Colorado Springs, CO; Erie PA; Burlington, MA; Harrisburg, PA; Columbia, SC; Johor, Malaysia; Taiwan, and Costa Rica. These locations and disciplines typically recruit one to three co-ops each season who start working at Samtec the following semester. The number of co-ops in each discipline varies, but for instance, in New Albany, IN, typically, there are 15-18 mechanical engineering co-ops at any given time. The IT program currently has 16 co-ops, with 10 in New Albany and 6 in Costa Rica.
“The mission of our co-op program is threefold: to discover, educate, and hire the next generation of Samtec tigers,” says Kayla Schaeffer, Early Career Recruiter at Samtec.
How to Become a Samtec Co-Op
Samtec recruits from a pool of colleges that are near company locations, because the co-op program is structured for participants to be in the office at least 20 hours per week. Each year recruitment goals vary.
Typically, the application process begins at a college career fair, where students can quickly apply using a QR code or Jobvite. Samtec hosts interviews immediately after the career fair, and tailors the interview process to meet students’ needs at the location.
Samtec will be attending upcoming Fall 2023 career fairs at numerous colleges, including University of Louisville, Purdue University, Arizona State, University of South Carolina, and Penn State (Erie and Harrisburg). Learn more about Samtec career opportunities.
Further Reading
A Students Perspective – Being a Samtec Co-op – The Samtec Blog
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