Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1185676
NOVEMBER 2019 I PCB007 MAGAZINE 17 a design or board is good or not, for example. Having at least a small understanding of design would make me a better engineer. I would also advise young engineers to do an internship. I don't think there's anything more valuable than an internship because it will tell you whether you're going to like it or not. It's important to let chemical engineers know that there is a lot of chemistry in PCBs, so you would have the chance to have a hands-on ex- perience that makes going to work fun. Johnson: I know this sounds like a job inter- view question, but I'm curious where you see yourself and the industry in 3–5 years. Thurston: I love the Upper Peninsula very much, so I picture myself still being in the area. I would also like to become more involved in processes across PCB manufacturing and have a better understanding of everything across the board, not just chemical-related areas. Right now, I primarily work in a couple of areas, but as you know, there are probably 50 different processes that go into one circuit board. I want to become a more well-rounded engineer and be involved with cutting-edge technologies. I have a chance right now to work on some of the technologies that we're pursuing, such as Calumet Electronics soon to try to spark some interest for in- ternships next summer. Holden: Did you interview with other companies in the Midwest your senior year? Thurston: I did two interviews on site: one for a consumer products company, and another in the electronics business and based in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Holden: Eau Claire has a big board shop. Thurston: That interview stemmed from my internship because I knew this was an in- dustry I wanted to be in, so I talked to other electronic companies as well. Having that in- ternship helped me get other interviews be- cause a lot of chemical engineers don't know about the electronics industry as an option, at least in my experience, so having that on my resume set me apart. Johnson: What advice would you give chemi- cal, mechanical, and electrical engineers at Michigan Tech regarding the topic of PCBs? Thurston: I would recommend young engineers to take a design class if they can; that's one thing I wish I would have done. It's funny be- cause I didn't really like electrical engineering, so after I completed my physics requirements, I thought, "I'll never have to think about elec- tricity again." But now, I wish that I had taken some design classes to understand the basics to build on in my career, even as a chemical engineer. It's important to be a well-rounded engineer in any part of the electronics industry. You should know about PCB design, manufacturing, and assembly. Then, no matter where you are in the industry, you have a cohesive understanding of how things work because otherwise, it's dif- ficult to give customers advice about whether