When I started my Samtek internship in 2024, I was eager to learn and gain real-world experience in software engineering. Now, in 2026, I’m a full-time engineer at Samtek. As we launch the 2026 internship program, I want to share five key takeaways from my experience – things I wish someone had told me as an intern. I hope they help you decide to apply for Samtek’s internships and take full advantage of everything the program has to offer!
1. Brace for the transition from classroom to production
Transitioning from academic engineering projects to professional in-production code can feel intimidating at first. All of a sudden, your work affects real systems, not just your grade. Leveraging practices like CI/CD and code review is a great way to learn safely while gradually building confidence in your work.
2. Ask for help (seriously)
However cliche it may be, “don’t be afraid to ask for help” is a lesson that will always ring true. Internships are meant for learning, and that means you will make mistakes. Never be afraid to reach out for help when you need it!
3. Engineering is a team sport
Unlike many late-night college programming projects, professional software engineering is rarely a solo effort. Communication, especially as an engineer, is a key factor in your success. Make an effort to work as a team, remain open-minded, and communicate whenever the need arises.
4. Ease into your role with incremental growth
Make sure to discuss with your manager how to foster an educational environment that encourages growth. I was fortunate enough to have a manager who intentionally supported this approach and trusted me to grow at a sustainable pace. I began with small tasks like fixing minor bugs and implementing simple features, which allowed me to build confidence and familiarity with the codebase. Over time, this foundation enabled me to take on larger features and eventually contribute to design discussions and the broader project roadmap. Taking things step-by-step makes growth sustainable and ensures that each success builds toward the next.
5. Take advantage of learning opportunities
Lastly, there are so many industry standard technologies I learned on the job that furthered my career. For example, I was quickly exposed to cloud infrastructure in my internship program, something often not taught in school which I now use every day in my position. Samtek’s program is a great opportunity to get the tools and space to experiment, learn by doing, and build skills that will carry forward into your career.
If you’re on the fence about applying, do it! An internship is an opportunity to gain real-world experience, develop valuable skills, and prepare for your future career.
