Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1129312
24 PCB007 MAGAZINE I JUNE 2019 One of the most rewarding parts of my job is being able to offer new engineers a leg up ear- ly in their career, and I am especially thrilled when I can do it personally. Often, this can be as simple as connecting them with an industry leader. Wonderfully, this was something I was able to do IPC APEX EXPO this past January. After speaking at the First-Timers' Welcome Reception, I met an engineer from Blue Ori- gin named Christina Handewith-McCallum who mentioned that it was her first visit to IPC APEX EXPO. She was taking it all in (the exhibition on the show floor, standards meet- ings, professional development courses, etc.) and was eager to learn about the opportunities available to a newcomer like herself. That gave me the perfect opportunity to talk to her about IPC's Emerging Engineer Pro- gram, which launched in 2016 (Figure 1). The program provides engineers early in their ca- reers the opportunity to learn about the indus- try from dedicated IPC volunteers participating in standards development. Emerging engineers receive: • Mentoring and training to assist in their professional development • Recognition for themselves and their company • An all-access package registration to IPC APEX EXPO for three years • Complimentary registration to IPC SummerCom, featuring Panelpalooza This all sounded great to Christina, and by the time she left the show, she was signed up Emerging Engineer Program: A Unique Opportunity Offered by IPC One World, One Industry by Dr. John Mitchell, IPC—ASSOCIATION CONNECTING ELECTRONICS INDUSTRIES Figure 1: Emerging engineers and their mentors.