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38 PCB007 MAGAZINE I JUNE 2022 Volunteering is another excellent way to excel in your career and encourage the next generation of engineers and technicians. One idea is to become a volunteer for FIRST robot- ics. When I started high school, I quickly became a part of our FIRST robotics chap- ter. I was surrounded by several mentors who guided me through engineering design pro- cesses. ese individuals even helped develop my skill set with soldering and CAD. I looked up to my mentors, and they even encouraged me to become an engineer. ere are 3,914 individual teams or 97,850 students within the FIRST Robotics Competition where you could make a difference as a mentor and help build the world's future workforce. Please con- sider lending your expertise and mentorship to these students. Encourage the next generation by reaching out to the IPC Education Foundation, which provides students with scholarships, creden- tials, professional development growth, and networking opportunities. e Foundation also helps students learn more about the differ- ent aspects of the industry, while growing pro- fessionally as individuals. Participate in webi- nars called "Forum Fridays," which help stu- dents learn about different companies in the industry or invite students in for an industry tour that lets students see how a manufactur- ing facility works. I have enjoyed and learned immensely from each informational interview this year and I'm so grateful to those individuals who spent time with me, including this phenomenal inter- view with Happy Holden. Now, I'm even more excited for the opportunities I can create for myself in the electronics industry, the skills I can contribute, and the chance to become a mentor someday as well. PCB007 Hannah Nelson is a student at Valparaiso University, and part of the IPC Emerging Engineer Program. To contact Nelson or read past columns, click here. technical writing and journalism skills. Write the things you know the most about. is not only helps to get your name into the industry, but also builds a skill that is incredibly impor- tant among several engineering jobs. Push Forward When getting started, many individuals may doubt your ideas or the potential of your work. As a chemical engineer heading into the world of electronics, Happy did not have much knowl- edge about the industry, but "just because [he] didn't know anything, [he] couldn't let that get in [his] way." When the first calculator at HP started to sell, Happy was told that he wouldn't sell more than 400 in a month because they were too pricey. He persevered and ended up selling thousands within the first month of pro- duction. Next Steps Get involved in this industry! ere are so many opportunities to build your skill set, such as joining an IPC committee. Becoming involved in this sector of the industry allows you to learn aspects of the industry outside your own limited area of expertise. Commit- tees can also create an enhanced environment through the ability to share others' ideas and opinions on topics in the industry. Hannah's FIRST robotic team received a safety award during a high school competition.