Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1471044
36 PCB007 MAGAZINE I JUNE 2022 of his professors who had handed his name off to HP. He feels this was because he took the initiative to build a close relationship with his professor. Another way to network is by learning how to write effectively and creatively. Happy stated that you need to be able to describe a problem that you have dealt with and the alternatives you took to finding a solution. en you need to put it out there. It's likely that many others have the same problems but have no idea how to find a solution. is helps you gain visibil- ity by getting your name out in the industry. It opens opportunities for networking, which should open other doors for your career. Develop a Broad Skill Set Another important skill is to build your own tool set. One reason Happy excelled in this industry was because he had learned how to work with soware, a skill that many other chemical engineers did not have. He purposely took courses on engineering statistics and plant design, which were unrelated to his major. ese courses helped him develop a business plan to sell his first invention. Happy believes that it is incredibly vital to also develop your now retired, but he still engages with FIRST robotics, teaches at Michigan Technical, par- ticipates on IPC committees, and is a technical editor and columnist for I-Connect007. Happy has graciously volunteered to host informa- tional discussions at Valparaiso, which helps our students learn more about what to expect beyond the classroom before entering their future careers. One thing I learned from Hap- py's stories has been to keep working hard and make a contribution through any opportunity you are presented with. The Importance of Networking Landing a job today can seem nerve wracking and almost impossible. Happy told me about the importance of networking even before you start looking for your dream career. rough- out his career, Happy never had to search for the next best job because, he said, "Somebody always pulled me to the next level." is hap- pened because he understood the value of mar- keting himself first. He told me that as a stu- dent the best way to network is to build deeper connections with your professors; they can provide a valuable network and even help land a future career. Happy got his first job from one Hannah (right) with Wendy Gaston during IPC APEX EXPO 2022.