Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1501483
Altium Designer. We started off with learning how to do a schematic dia- gram and on to the importance of maintaining the library. We learned about board stacks and the mate- rials that go into making the layers of a PCB. We learned how to place the components and wire them up. Lastly, we learned how to have the the board. In the final weeks we learned how to put multiple boards together to form a system and wiring harnesses. We learned so much over those 32 weeks—this just scratches the surface. John has been in the PCB design industry for years, so he knows first-hand what it takes to get hired. At this point, what are some of the skills that hiring managers are looking for in a PCB designer? From what John has told us, there is a looming shortage of PCB designers in the field and com- panies are looking for people who want to join the industry. Some companies would be will- ing to teach people how to be designers from the beginning. However, you at least need basic computer skills and knowledge of PCBs so you can understand what you will be doing. Some so skills, like problem-solving and being able to see the end-result as you are starting the process of making the PCB, also come in handy. I tell people that to be good at PCB design you have to like solving puzzles so that you can problem solve when you run into issues. Also, if you play chess and you can see multiple moves ahead, this is really valuable; you can imagine the com- pleted board as you are putting components on the PCB. What segment of the industry would you like to work in? Medical, aerospace, automotive, industrial controls, etc.? I am currently working for a company that sup- ports the military and I would like to continue to 34 PCB007 MAGAZINE I JUNE 2023 support the Navy. But if other oppor- tunities present themselves, I would be open to other fields such as medi- cal or aerospace. Palomar College is known for helping grads obtain jobs in their respective career paths. What assis- tance do they offer in finding a job? Palomar College has a job assistance program. I am not sure exactly what they offer because I have not used them, but John tells us that he gets a lot of emails and contacts from companies looking for good PCB design- ers. When we got into the advanced class, John started sharing some of those job opportunities with us. He has offered to write a letter of recom- mendation for us when we apply for jobs. John is also working to start a paid internship program for PCB designers at Palomar College, with the college paying up to 50% of the salary for the internship. John is actively looking for compa- nies that would be willing to sign on to have PCB students work at the company under the paid internship. What advice would you give other new PCB designers? Don't stop learning. Don't stop reading. Take classes. ere are a lot of free resources out there from various PCB design companies and organi- zations. Sign up and watch the videos. Check to see if your local community college offers PCB design classes. And look into classes offered by the Printed Circuit Engineering Association (PCEA), Nine Dot Connects, or any other PCB design organization. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions. If you are not sure of something, stop and ask. It is bet- ter to ask questions from the beginning of the process than to get almost done with the project and have to restart because you didn't ask. Thanks for your input, Paul. Good luck! anks, Andy. Nice speaking with you. PCB007 Paul Farquhar reference designators/silkscreen on