-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- I-Connect007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current Issue
Beyond the Rulebook
What happens when the rule book is no longer useful, or worse, was never written in the first place? In today’s fast-moving electronics landscape, we’re increasingly asked to design and build what has no precedent, no proven path, and no tidy checklist to follow. This is where “Design for Invention” begins.
March Madness
From the growing role of AI in design tools to the challenge of managing cumulative tolerances, these articles in this issue examine the technical details, design choices, and manufacturing considerations that determine whether a board works as intended.
Looking Forward to APEX EXPO 2026
I-Connect007 Magazine previews APEX EXPO 2026, covering everything from the show floor to the technical conference. For PCB designers, we move past the dreaded auto-router and spotlight AI design tools that actually matter.
- Articles
- Columns
- Links
- Media kit
||| MENU - I-Connect007 Magazine
Help Build the Industry’s Future: Become an IPC Emerging Engineer or Mentor
June 25, 2019 | IPCEstimated reading time: 1 minute
IPC’s Emerging Engineer program provides professionals early in their careers an opportunity to learn from industry mentors about IPC Standards development, and to obtain education and training for professional development. IPC is now actively seeking applications for engineers and mentors for the 2020 Emerging Engineer program.
To be eligible to participate as an Emerging Engineer, professionals must have worked in the industry for less than 5 years or be a university student. Mentors must have worked in the industry for a minimum of 7 years and on an IPC committee for at least five years.
Emerging Engineers Receive:
- Education and mentoring for professional development
- Recognition for the program participant and his/her company—industry awareness
- Complimentary All-Access Package registration to IPC APEX EXPO, for three years (attendance required)
- Complimentary registration to IPC SummerCom featuring Panelpalooza (attendance not required)
- Limited number of University Student Emerging Engineers are eligible to receive reimbursement for travel, room, and incidentals.
Mentors Receive:
- Experiences and connections for career enrichment
- Opportunity to demonstrate leadership skills and technical expertise
- Recognition for program participant and his/her company—industry awareness
- Registration to recognition luncheons
“The IPC Emerging Engineer program gives new engineers a leg up early in their careers,” said John Mitchell, IPC president and CEO. “And it enables industry experts a chance to share their knowledge and expertise with the next generation of engineers. We’re all working together to make our industry stronger.”
IPC is now accepting applications for the 2020 Emerging Engineer program and a limited number of university student positions are available. For more information, visit www.ipc.org/emerging-engineer. To submit an application, send an e-mail to careerdevelopment@ipc.org. Deadline for applications is November 15, 2019.
Testimonial
"Your magazines are a great platform for people to exchange knowledge. Thank you for the work that you do."
Simon Khesin - Schmoll MaschinenSuggested Items
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
05/08/2026 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007This week, I’ve selected some outstanding interviews that you’ll want to take note of. First, is a roundtable discussion featuring three dynamic industry cybersecurity experts. Please watch this important discussion that affects us all. Following that, I spotlight the IPC-2581 Consortium, which explains why IPC-2581 is the standard to replace Gerber data for manufacturing. Next, I am including my interview with PCBAA and AAM, who collaborated to release a short documentary on U.S. PCB manufacturing.
Hall of Fame Spotlight Series: Highlighting Karen McConnell
05/07/2026 | Dan Feinberg, I-Connect007In 2021, Karen McConnell was awarded the Raymond E. Pritchard Hall of Fame award in recognition of her contributions to the Association and the electronics industry. As a senior staff member and CAD/CAM engineer at Northrop Grumman Enterprise Services, her primary responsibility was to develop a common, shared EDM (Electronic Document Management) library to support the electrical and PCB design tool initiatives across Northrop Grumman Mission Systems.
A Necessary Shift From Gerber to IPC-2581
05/07/2026 | Tracy Riggan, Global Electronics AssociationIPC-2581 is an open, vendor-neutral data exchange standard developed by the Global Electronics Association to streamline the exchange of PCB design information across fabrication, assembly, and test. It replaces multiple legacy formats—including industry standards, Gerber, and ODB++—with a single, comprehensive, XML-based dataset that captures all manufacturing details.
Meet Emerging Engineers: Patrick Owen and Eric Mickenbecker, Summit Interconnect
05/05/2026 | Michelle Te, I-Connect007Patrick Owen and Eric Mickenbecker both work for Summit Interconnect, and are in their second year of the Global Electronics Association’s Emerging Engineer Program with mentor Brian Chislea. They stopped by the I-Connect007 booth at APEX EXPO and shared a bit of their story with me. Patrick has worked at the Hollister, California, plant since 2018, while Eric has been at the Chicago site since 2023. Like many of their peers, they came to the electronics industry from different paths, but are both excited about making an impact.
PCBAA, AAM Take on the Fight to Rebuild U.S. Manufacturing in New Documentary
05/05/2026 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007Throughout most of the 20th century, manufacturing was central to the American Dream of providing stable jobs and pathways to upward mobility. Today, more than 80% of global electronics manufacturing capacity resides in China and greater Asia, raising serious concerns about supply chain resilience and national security.