Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1476200
56 PCB007 MAGAZINE I AUGUST 2022 About a year ago, I decided to begin engag- ing in leadership activities that would both improve my skills and provide opportunities for others to flourish in the electronics field. Soon aer, a friend asked if I would be inter- ested in leading our IPC student chapter; I said yes in a heartbeat. Because of COVID shut- downs, our student organization had crum- bled, and while I knew I could restore it, I had no clue where to begin. Our chapter advisor suggested I reach out to the IPC Education Foundation (IPCEF). With that outreach, IPCEF soon became involved and excited about working with our chapter here at Valparaiso University. We dis- cussed ways our students could grow through professional development, networking events, and technical skill advance- ments. We organized a kick- off meeting to determine interest and since then, our chapter has grown expo- nentially as students have learned the importance of engaging in the electronics industry. As we began hosting cam- pus events, I quickly real- ized just how important our organization was for stu- dents. We have a limited number of available courses, which means that informa- tion and processes of the electronics manufac- turing industry are not easily accessible to us. rough our connection with IPCEF, our chap- ter has bridged the gap between the university curriculum and the expectations and skills we need to work in the industry. IPCEF offers sev- eral courses in its mini library related to tech- nical subjects; these are incredibly valuable to electrical engineering students. Because of what I have learned in IPCEF's video courses, I have been able to instruct my fellow students in chapter meetings about the electronic man- ufacturing process. Our students now know how to solder, design a PCB, and even create a wire harness because the Foundation provides the educational experience for students. With a Little Help From My (IPCEF) Friends The New Chapter by Hannah Nelson, VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY/IPC STUDENT DIRECTOR