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24 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I FEBRUARY 2025 imaginations. Interactive workshops, hackathons, and design competitions tailored to younger generations could demystify the field and demonstrate its relevance to everyday life and its potential as a very fruitful career choice. A good example of fostering the new generations is the national program such as FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Sci- ence and Technology), a global nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs for ages 4-18 (grades preK-12). • Apprenticeships and internships: Apprenticeships provide a hands-on approach to learning that complements theoretical education. By partnering with local businesses, trade schools, and col- leges, companies can offer real-world experience to young people. is model not only fills immediate staffing needs but also nurtures long-term talent pipelines. • College-to-industry programs: Expand- ing college-to-industry transition pro- grams is another essential step. Initiatives like co-op education, where students alternate between academic terms and full-time work, allow for a seamless inte- gration of academic knowledge and prac- tical experience. Scholarships, potential employment, sponsorships, and grants can also attract top talent to the field. • Broadening accessibility: To address the geographic and socioeconomic barriers to entering the field, we must leverage online education platforms and remote mentor- ship. ese tools make it easier to reach individuals from underrepresented commu- nities, ensuring a more diverse talent pool. What Should the Next Generation Learn? Design disciplines are becoming increas- ingly interdisciplinary, and the skills required to succeed are evolving. Here are some key areas young PCB designers should focus on: Core Technical Disciplines • PCB design: e key to successful PCB design is a thorough understanding, com- prehension, and implementation of the core principles of PCB design—layout solvability, performance, and design for manufactur- ing, along with industry best practices. is includes knowledge of the basics of elec- tronics, including understanding the role that PCBs play and why electronic systems design is essential to modern technology. • Signal integrity (SI): A fundamental understanding of how electrical signals propagate is essential for ensuring system reliability. e key to success is in con- trolling the physics and manipulating the energy of the PCB. • Power integrity (PI): PCB designers must master power distribution and man- agement to create efficient and effective devices. is ties into and relates to the thermal aspects of the PCB.