Micron partnership means real-world experience for business and engineering students

Since 2019, Boise State students have gained real-world industry experience in semiconductor research and development through a unique partnership with Micron. As a major player in U.S. semiconductor production located in Boise, Idaho, Micron teamed up with the College of Business and Economics to create the Supply Chain Management Spring Project, offering students hands-on experience and opportunities for future employment.

“At the time, the Fab4 team at Micron didn’t have a partnership with Boise State, and the school is just down the road,” said Dan Bohren, area operations director for the team involved with the project. “It was important to us to partner with the local university and get students an opportunity to work with a Treasure Valley company.”

For the project, Micron shares real data related to their supply chain challenges with a team of Boise State supply chain management and engineering students. Over four months, the students analyze the information, meeting regularly with the Micron team, then present their solutions to Micron leadership at the end of spring semester.

A transformative experience for students

The annual Supply Chain Management Spring Project has been transformative for the participants. Jacob Garofalo took part in the program in 2020 as a Boise State engineering student and said the project had an outsized impact on his life.

“I kind of floated through college – I certainly didn’t show up to Boise State already knowing my career path,” he said. “As a student who took the six-and-a-half-year route and did a lot of character development along the way, this project was the first time I took something seriously. It was the first time I saw something as more than an assignment, because we were accountable to real world professionals. It’s the best thing that has happened for my career. Without it, I know I wouldn’t be working at Micron.”

Through his connections and experience with the project, Garofalo got a job at Micron four years ago as a manufacturing engineer. He’s also now part of the partnership program from the Micron side.

“I was asked to lead the Boise State/Micron partnership program six months after being hired at Micron. I had never even led a meeting before,” Garofalo said. “It was a huge growth opportunity as a young professional to go from sitting in to being a leader, and it gave me incredible experience in leading people. Overall, the partnership is an opportunity for both parties to do quite a bit of learning and growth – and it’s fun. We get to have an impact on a student’s life. It’s my favorite extracurricular work.”

Providing mentorship and support

For the partnership, the Fab4 team at Micron (named for the chip manufacturing or “fabrication” plant where they work) mentors the group throughout the process. They meet weekly with the students to discuss the project, and also provide one-on-one mentorship to help with soft skills and professional development.

“So often students are given a problem and told to use a specific tool to solve the problem. Instead, we give them a problem and ask them to solve it using what they’ve learned,” Garofalo said. “The pillars of the program are for the students to work as a cohesive team, develop data analysis and presentation skills, and to grow professionally so they’re ready to walk into a work environment. We see so many lightbulbs go off throughout the semester, and by the end the students can speak confidently about the work they’ve done.”

The students also have support from Jim Kroes, Boise State professor in supply chain management. Kroes serves as a faculty advisor for the program and also meets regularly with the students.

“Although there are lots of internships available, this program is unique because the employer and a faculty member work so closely to provide students a purposeful, transformative experience,” he said. “The commitment from Micron’s side is awesome. There are so many people there coaching the students. And I’m here at Boise State helping to facilitate as well. These students get a similar level of coaching as the participants in the Executive MBA program.”

Real-world learning translates to job opportunities

More than half of the students involved in the project have gone on to work at Micron. Another student, Johannes de Quant, participated in the program in 2022, and Micron later hired him as a manufacturing technician.

“The BSU and Micron SCM Spring project provided me with so many opportunities to grow,” he said. “It allowed me to apply the knowledge from my coursework in a professional setting, and gave my team and me ample room for correction as we progressed through into the final presentation. After the project, I was fortunate enough to be hired on as an inventory technician, and have been working at Micron for over 2 years, and completed my majors simultaneously. I doubt I would have gotten the job if I hadn’t been part of the project.”

Not only does the project help students hone their problem-solving abilities and develop their professional skills, but Micron benefits as well.

“On the Micron side, it gives us good insight into what students are learning, and our employees who came from Boise State feel a sense of pride in helping to build the relationship with Micron,” Bohren said. “It’s been a good example of a university and industry partnership that benefits the students–because that’s the most important thing in the end.”

Students who participate in the SCM Spring Project are recruited from within Boise State’s supply chain management and engineering programs. After the students submit a cover letter and resume, Micron reviews the application materials independently and selects the team. Micron also makes a point to give every applicant feedback on their application materials whether they’re asked to be part of the project or not. The project lasts throughout spring semester, and students earn three course credits for taking part. For more information contact Jim Kroes at jimkroes@boisestate.edu.