Series 19 - Episode 7 - DigiKey's Back2School Giveaway

This entry is part 15 of 31 in the series Electronic Specifier Insights

In this latest episode of Electronic Specifier Insights, we are bringing you a Student Circuit special to discuss DigiKey’s annual ‘Back2School’ Giveaway. DigiKey is a leading global electronic components and automation products distributor, and Student Circuit is an online learning platform and engineering community for anyone undertaking further education in electronics.

Guest host Sheryl Miles welcomes YC Wang, the Global Academic Programme Director at DigiKey, to discuss the company’s annual ‘Back2School’ Giveaway and its wider commitment to supporting students and early-career engineers in electronics.

Wang begins by sharing his enthusiasm for his role at DigiKey, where he serves as the primary liaison for academic marketing and business engagements. He highlights the unique position DigiKey holds in the electronics industry – not only as a high-service distributor of electronic components but also as a company deeply invested in supporting the next generation of engineers. DigiKey’s transition from a traditional paper catalogue to a fully web-based platform has enabled it to serve a diverse customer base, from hobbyists to OEMs, and especially students embarking on their engineering journeys.

The conversation then moves to the giveaway, an annual sweepstake designed to equip students – particularly those in their third and fourth years of undergraduate engineering – with essential tools for hands-on projects. Wang explains that the prize package is thoughtfully curated by an internal committee of seasoned engineers and educators. Each item, from the Aven Tools LED lamp to the Adafruit Ladyada’s electronic toolkit and the DigiKey ruler, is selected for its practical utility on a student’s workbench. The goal is to provide students with high-quality, dependable tools that will not only support their current projects but also serve them well into their professional careers.

A highlight of the giveaway is the Teledyne LeCroy power supply which is awarded to one grand prize winner. Wang points out the often-overlooked importance of a reliable power supply in electronics projects, noting that while many focus on soldering irons or oscilloscopes, a stable power source is fundamental for successful prototyping and circuit development.

Beyond the prizes, DigiKey’s bigger mission is to empower students by providing free resources, including documentation, videos, and conversion calculators, all accessible via its website. Wang encourages students to explore these offerings and to take advantage of the DigiKey Tech Forum – a vibrant community where students, professors, and professional engineers can seek advice and support from DigiKey’s own application engineers.

Participation in the giveaway is open to students worldwide with a university email address, and it has seen growing international engagement, often fuelled by word of mouth. Wang encourages students to enter each year throughout their studies, so as to maximise their chances to win and benefit from the programme.

DigiKey’s dedication to supporting students at every stage of their academic and professional development, from their first hands-on project to their capstone showcase is something that Wang underscores.

And, for those interested in entering the giveaway, you can simply search ‘Back2School DigiKey’ online to find the registration page.

We hope you enjoy this episode which not only highlights the tangible benefits of the giveaway, but also showcases DigiKey’s commitment to nurturing the engineers of tomorrow.

To hear more from YC Wang, you can listen to Electronic Specifier’s interview on Spotify or Apple podcasts.