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December 2015 • The PCB Magazine 89 present papers and attend the specification- writing subcommittees as well. The program will take advantage of all the different aspects of IPC, and SMTA too for that matter, because they'll do everything from working with indus- try experts to visiting exhibitors on the show floor. They'll go to conference sessions and present in some way, so it will be a very well- rounded experience. Goldman: There must be an application process. How does that work? Michalkiewicz: Right, they have to apply and there is a list of requirements that they need to meet. These requirements are undergoing final revision based upon some feedback. The idea was initially rolled out to the Committee Chair- man Council, the CCC of IPC [consisting of all committee, subcommittee and task group chair- men], and that group had some feedback. We were originally going to work with an engineer who was one to three years out of school but I think we're going to allow more experience, be- cause more experienced engineers will be more likely to be permitted to travel. We'll probably extend that and it could even be somebody new to the field who has just come into electronics. I think we're going to expand the requirements so eligible individuals have at least a few years' experience and a commitment to attend IPC for three years. Goldman: Were there requirements as far as the type of company these "mentees" are from? Michalkiewicz: Not really, as long as they're from a member company, interested in the IPC, and willing to make a commitment for three years to help them grow. Goldman: I've been involved in IPC and TAEC and so forth for many years, as you know; we've been kind of sisters in that. Do you have any other input, or thoughts on IPC and what it's been for you, be- sides TAEC? Michalkiewicz: I actually don't come from an engineering background; I was in more of a management background when I stepped into the electronics industry. I initially became in- volved when I started my position in quality at Trace. I right away began attending IPC and SMTA meetings, and that is actually where I got my experience. This is where I learned most of what I know. Goldman: You can learn so much. Michalkiewicz: You can learn so much just by at- tending these IPC and SMTA meetings. You can attend the paper sessions, go to training, etc. When you participate in the standards commit- tees, you're working on the standards that are going to be used in the electronics industry. All that I know, I have learned from my colleagues and through these committee memberships. Some of our newer engineers at our com- pany are attending IPC and SMTA and learning so much by getting involved writing technical papers and contributing to the standards writ- ing. There's no better way to learn. Goldman: One of the big things with IPC is the networking, as we know, and people think it's just about finding a job, but it's not. It's about knowing people, becoming friends with them and being able to talk with them and learn from them. If you're back at your job and you have a Ipc's Jack crawford presents renee Michalkiewicz and Microtek's debora Obitz with an award for updating the Ipc-a-600 training program. FeATure inTerview WORKING FOR THE INDUSTRY: NTS' RENEE MICHALKIEWICZ