Standing before a crowd at the grand opening of Micron's new Training Center in Boise, Bailey Guthrie had some advice for the company's newest College of Western Idaho (CWI) apprentices.
“I know it can feel like a lot at first, but give yourself that time to learn and grow,” Guthrie shared. “Every step is helping you build your future.”
It was not long ago that Guthrie was in their shoes.
In March 2023, she joined Micron's first Registered Apprenticeship cohort with little knowledge of semiconductors or the company itself. Three years later, she was sharing her experience with the sixth cohort, having built a career at Micron and enrolled at a four-year university.
However, before finding her place in the semiconductor industry, Guthrie was unsure of what she wanted to do.
Growing up in the Treasure Valley, she enjoyed math, science, and engineering. After high school, she enrolled at Boise State University, exploring and changing different majors before ultimately stepping away from college to reconsider her direction.
When her parents heard about Micron's expansion in Boise, they encouraged her to explore CWI's Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology program. Guthrie attended an informational event, applied, and started classes in January 2023.
Almost immediately, she noticed a difference.
“I felt like I belonged. It just felt right,” Guthrie recalled.
Smaller classes, supportive classmates, and faculty who checked in on her progress helped Guthrie feel connected and motivated.
On her second day of classes, a Micron recruiter visited to discuss the company's new Registered Apprenticeship Program. The opportunity to gain experience, earn a paycheck, and receive employee benefits while attending school caught her attention.
She applied and became one of Micron's first apprentices.
“What excited me was that I could start working in the field I was studying,” Guthrie said. “I did not have to wait until I graduated to start using what I was learning in school and gaining real experience.”
Her apprenticeship combined technical coursework at CWI with hands-on experience at Micron, allowing her to apply classroom skills, including basic troubleshooting equipment, in a real semiconductor manufacturing environment.
“I was not just sitting in class hoping that it would make sense at the end of the day,” Guthrie said. “I was learning things and then seeing how they applied at work.”
Balancing long shifts at Micron, evening classes, and homework was challenging, but Guthrie developed time management skills that continue to serve her today.
After graduating from CWI and completing her apprenticeship in December 2024, she continued building her career at Micron.
Today, Guthrie works as a Yield Enhancement SEM and ETM Process Shift Technician. She has helped train new employees and expanded her technical skills, including traveling to Taiwan for additional training.
Her experience also helped shape her next goal. Initially interested in mechanical engineering, Guthrie discovered a passion for leadership and management. In 2026, she returned to Boise State to pursue a degree in Project Management while continuing her career at Micron.
Looking back, Guthrie recognizes how much she has accomplished.
“This program gave me more than just training," she said. "It gave me confidence, a career path, and a future I'm excited about."
Her path has changed several times, teaching her that finding the right direction does not always happen as planned. It is a lesson she hopes to share with others who may be uncertain about their futures.
When she addressed Micron's newest apprentices, Guthrie encouraged them to focus on smaller goals rather than becoming overwhelmed by the bigger picture.
“Taking it one day at a time, one step at a time, breaking it up into smaller chunks seems more rewarding when you do complete something,” Guthrie said.
Guthrie knows everyone's journey looks different, and there is no single path to success. Her own experiences have taught her to embrace change and remain open to new opportunities.
"You don't have to have everything figured out to start a future you're proud of," she said.
Interested in a career in semiconductor manufacturing? Through its partnership with Micron, CWI offers hands-on training, education and apprenticeship opportunities to help you prepare for a career in this growing industry.
