Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1449048
24 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I FEBRUARY 2022 If you're working remotely, sometimes it can be hard to get in touch with a team member. When you need information from another per- son to continue your own work and that per- son is unavailable, this could delay the project you're working on. In the PCB design world, a variety of fac- tors dictate the difficulty of the project and how much time is required for the design to be complete. I work closely with the mechanical engineers at my company while working on a design to make sure that what I am doing on the electrical side will not interfere with the mechanical design and constraints. Once the testing and proof of concept is complete and I have a board outline, I can work on schemat- ics and layout on my own until completion, which is when I circle back to the mechanicals to double-check the final design and make any tweaks if necessary. Regardless of what is hap- pening in the outside world, this process for designers in consumer electronics is unlikely to change, because it's usually a collaborative effort to make all the pieces of the puzzle come together. Back to School Yes, during the pandemic I went back into the hallowed halls of academia, hot on the trail of my MSEE. As you may know, univer- sities have transitioned to virtual classes and lectures. Online classes work great for me, since I have a career, but I could see how this could be a real problem for undergrads looking to enjoy college life and explore net- working opportunities. But I think things will change soon. As the pandemic situation slowly improves, some schools have gone back to in-person lectures, and I believe most universities will eventually return to in-person classes. e pandemic has allowed technology to work its way into more of our everyday lives. In the baby device segment, especially, we're seeing families become more accustomed to relying on technology than on other human beings. Back in the day, parents with newborn babies used to have their families move in and help them out. Or they would hire a babysitter or a night nurse. But during the pandemic, you couldn't risk having a stranger come into your home. is is where new technology, such as our smart bas- sinet (shameless plug here!) that keeps babies on their back and rocks them to sleep has proven to be a great help for new parents. e average consumer now uses a variety of elec- tronic devices each day, and that's a giant posi- tive for PCB designers. ere are many silver linings in this pandemic cloud. We've all gone through what seems like a lifetime's worth of change in the past few years, and with this change, there is always fear of the unknown, which is totally under- standable. However, if we learned anything over the last few years, it's that change can bring many positive outcomes in school, the workplace, or just life in general. While change can be scary, we live in the world where adapt- ability is a prerequisite to surviving and keep- ing up with the world. is is why I've found that it's best to always be open to learning new things and accept and embrace change when it happens . DESIGN007 Tamara Jovanovic is an electri- cal engineer at Happiest Baby, a Los Angeles-based company that designs and manufactures smart baby beds. Yes, during the pandemic I went back into the hallowed halls of academia, hot on the trail of my MSEE.