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DECEMBER 2020 I PCB007 MAGAZINE 39 neering) basically at the doorstep of where I'm earning my degree. The more I did my research of the PCB industry in the time between my first interview and my employment offer, the more I interested I became in learning about it. Once I received an offer, I took it without much hesitation. Do you see a career path for yourself? PCB technology is constantly improving and changing, and I think this field gives me the opportunity to be in the trenches of learning and experimenting with that technology as it is being developed. I see my future-self help- ing lead the development of new PCB technol- ogy or similar technologies relating to electri- cal and computer systems. What attracted you to the printed circuit board fabrication industry? The thing I like most about the PCB indus- try is the wide range of fields that are involved with it. I have always known what I wanted to get a job doing something related to computer technology in a broad sense. The PCB industry has given me many opportunities to explore topics in my field such as automation devel- opment, circuit design, PCB tooling and man- ufacturing, and many others. I'm still not en- tirely sure what the best focus for me is, as it is all still very new and interesting, but this in- dustry gives me the time and flexibility to keep exploring those options. What are the things that are better at Calumet than where you were before? The biggest difference between CEC and any other job I've had is the potential for per- sonal and company growth. I foresee many opportunities for myself with this company due to the attitude of the people I work with as well as the importance of this industry as a whole. What's your educational background? I am currently earning a Bachelor's in Com- puter Engineering at Michigan Technological University. Do you find you use your degree in your job? I use my degree every day I walk into work. CEC has allowed me to hone my programming skills, electrical knowledge, time management, and social skills. What advice would you give to a fabricator on recruiting and hiring young talent? Before I answer this, I have a short relatable story. I attempted to get an internship with a different company the fall before I joined CEC. I got all the way to a third interview when I was told they were not interested in me be- cause of my lack of project experience (I was a sophomore at the time). Spring career fair rolled around, and I figured I would attempt that company again as well as a few others. I managed to get an offer from the same company that denied me not six months prior as well as an offer from CEC. I'm sure it's obvious which offer I took, and accord- ing to my employers here, that other com- pany lost out on a competent aspiring engi- neer. The best piece of advice I could give to a recruiter is to give interviewees a sec- ond thought when you're considering turn- ing them down due to a lack of technical skills or project experience. Those things can be taught much quicker and easier than cer- tain other skills such as social, writing, and general work discipline. PCB007