Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1212069
94 I-CONNECT007 I REAL TIME WITH... IPC APEX EXPO 2020 SHOW & TELL MAGAZINE Matties: Having the knowledge that you're pursuing gives you the opportunity to be an application engineer. It's interesting because, at that level, you can work with your custom- ers before it's even in manufacturing to help them make a better product. Vaughan: Correct. Matties: In the end, that increases quality, throughput, and customer retention, which is a valuable asset. What advice would you give to a young engineer who's setting out on their career path? Vaughan: Get involved with as many industry organizations as you can, such as IPC, SMTA, IEEE, etc. Get involved at the grassroots level with these organizations that are pushing these initiatives for standardization, growing industry talent, networking, and grabbing hold of folks who have been where you are and are where you want to go. It's about strength in numbers and engaging with like-minded individuals who are all on the same path or have walked that path and can show you how to navigate better. Matties: Is there anything that we haven't talked about that you feel like we should include in this conversation? Vaughan: I want to thank IPC for creating this program and allowing me the opportunity to participate. I also want to thank the CEO and VP of technology at my company for signing off so that I can do this for the next few years if it matures into a mentorship. Further, I want to thank my mentor, Kevin Kusiak, who's help- ing me out, as well as I-Connect007. I look forward to your publications every month and have been reading them for years, even before I was in engineering. You provide great content, and I appreciate everything you put out there for the industry. Matties: I appreciate you sharing your thoughts today. It's going to be inspiring for others. Thank you very much. Vaughan: You're welcome. Are You Eligible? According to IPC's website, to be an emerg- ing engineer, you must have worked in the industry for less than five years or be a uni- versity student. To be an IPC mentor, you must have worked in the industry for a minimum of seven years and have worked on an IPC Stan- dards Committee for at least five years. Learn more here. Emerging engineers receive: • Education and mentoring for professional development • Recognition for the program participant and his/her company, as well as industry awareness • Complimentary, all-access package registration to IPC APEX EXPO for three years (attendance required) • Complimentary registration to IPC SummerCom, featuring Panelpalooza (attendance not required) • A limited number of university student emerging engineers are eligible to receive reimbursement for travel, room, and incidentals Mentors receive: • Experiences and connections for career enrichment • Opportunity to demonstrate leadership skills and technical expertise • Recognition for program participant and his/her company, as well as industry awareness • Registration to recognition luncheons The commitment involves: • Participation in IPC APEX EXPO for three years • Participants and/or their employers are responsible for travel arrangements and expenses S&T