Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1532533
FEBRUARY 2025 I PCB007 MAGAZINE 63 had thought were impossible, but with a ton of hard work, they came true. Simply reaching out to people and network- ing can change your career. When you were contemplating your career choices, what do you wish you had known? I wish I would have known that nobody knows everything. In high school, I thought my mentors knew everything. I thought they were the smartest people. I didn't think I could ever be that smart. But, as I've pro- gressed in my early career, I've realized those smart people still don't know everything, but they know how to use resources. One colleague who works on my team has 24 years of experience and is specialized in one topic, but another is specialized in a different topic. When they work together, they can solve a problem as a multidisciplinary team. So, just knowing that you won't always know the answer and that is okay, but also that it's so incredibly important to ask for help when it's needed. What support have you received from your employer, professors, and mentors? My employer is Texas Instruments (TI). I'm an applications and validation engineer, and this has got to be the best first job I could have ever imagined. It's my dream job. As a semi- conductor company, you wouldn't necessar- ily expect them to believe that you can go to a PCB conference and learn anything about semiconductors. But it's so important in the PCB industr y to learn about packaging place- ment through design. What support have you received from the IPC Emerging Engineer Program? How has your career been influenced by this program, and how has your mentor helped your career? It has significantly impacted my early career. It helped me find my passion. I was involved in professional development courses—some IPC EDGE training courses—which helped me learn more about the board manufacturing indus- try and some of the processes they go through, which still helps me in my career today. Some of the PD courses, like the antenna course, put me in the direction of PC board design. With IPC, I get continued support to get involved in and even lead committees, and that's only one year into my career. I didn't think I would get the opportunity, so I really appreciate the continued support. What professional develop- ment have you received at the show? I've taken professional development courses ranging from antenna theory to PCB design to how we integrate chip packaging on our boards as chip sizes are decreasing. ere's just such a variety, and you learn so much. In my day-to- day, I deal with semiconductors directly on the silicon, but I don't get to see it. Here, I see the reflow process and what they are doing in that space. Here, I get to see how to prevent fail- ures, which I don't deal with on a regular basis. I have to problem solve. I think it is incredibly helpful in growing my career. I'm getting edu- cation and exposure to a variety of different topics that may be important for my future job or a different profession. What about the community of emerging engineers you've built through the program? Has that impacted your career? e community is amazing. It feels like one big family. I keep in contact with some of the friends and mentors that I've made. rough- out the year, I see them, and they feel like per- sonal friends who you can talk to about your career and your life. ey can help you grow and network with others to solve your prob- lems in your company. PCB007 " I wish I would have known that nobody knows everything. "