The Shaughnessy Report: Watt About Power Integrity?
Global PCB Connections: Understanding Your Fabricator’s Capabilities (or Niche)
Elementary Mr. Watson: Chasing Checkmarks, Not Signal Integrity
From Construction Work to PCB Design in Under a Year
November 27, 2024 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineEstimated reading time: 1 minute
At the Anaheim Electronics & Manufacturing Show in October, I had the opportunity to talk with some new PCB designers, including Jon Smith of Frontgrade Aethercomm.
During the Anaheim show, John Watson, a PCB design instructor at Palomar College, led a panel of his past and present students, including Jon, who shared his story of switching from a construction career to PCB design in a matter of months, courtesy of Watson’s Palomar College design curriculum.
After the panel discussion, I asked Jon to expand on his personal and professional story. How many other potential PCB designers are out there in fields like construction? Thanks to instructors like Watson, the time it takes to produce a trained PCB designer—from scratch—is less than you might think.
Andy Shaughnessy: Jon, you've already graduated from John's class, and you had a completely non-electronic job before this. How did you get into this? What were you doing before?
Jon Smith: I used to be in construction and I got tired of being in pain. Something had to change. I ended up taking classes at Palomar College, specifically drafting and design. It wasn't until I started John Watson's class that something just went off in my head. I was instantly intrigued. It was just the craziest thing I've ever seen. Who knew that this career even existed? When you think of a PCB designer, you think “electrical engineer.” But you don’t have to be an engineer to be a PCB designer. One thing led to another and it’s been great.
Shaughnessy: Your wife even called John and said, “Thank you for helping my husband.” She really noticed a change in your happiness level.
Smith: Yes, she did. Working in construction, and being in pain, you act differently. So, once you find yourself again, it impresses other people. You also impress yourself and things get a lot better.
Shaughnessy: What kind of construction were you in?
Smith: I was in sewer pipe rehabilitation—very nasty, very heavy stuff with very long hours. Working in the middle of the street was very dangerous. All around, it was not a fun place to be.
To read this entire article, which appeared in the November 2024 issue of Design007 Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Testimonial
"In a year when every marketing dollar mattered, I chose to keep I-Connect007 in our 2025 plan. Their commitment to high-quality, insightful content aligns with Koh Young’s values and helps readers navigate a changing industry. "
Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
Ibiden Opens Ono Plant to Expand AI Server IC Substrate Production Capacity
10/14/2025 | IBIDENIBIDEN Co., Ltd. announces that it held the opening ceremony for its Ono Plant on October 10, 2025 in Ono Town, Ibi District, Gifu Prefecture. Construction work and preparations for mass production at the plant had been underway.
Würth Elektronik Participates in EU Initiative PROACTIF for Cutting-edge Drone and Robotics Solutions
10/14/2025 | Wurth ElektronikWürth Elektronik is a partner in the visionary EU project PROACTIF, funded under the Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU). The international consortium of 42 partners from 13 countries aims to strengthen Europe’s technological sovereignty i
Precision PCB Acquires Assets of Microplace
10/13/2025 | Precision Technologies Inc.Precision Technologies Inc., doing business as Precision PCB, a One-Stop PCB Fabrication and Assembly services company with 27 years of experience providing Quality, Reliability and Excellence in customer service, has acquired the assets of Microplace, Inc.
Interposers, Substrates, and Advanced Manufacturing
10/13/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007I attend a lot of industry trade shows and conferences. Lately, during conversations with technologists, I’ve noticed that there is some confusion about what exactly constitutes an interposer. One question I hear every so often is, “Are all interposers substrates?” The short answer to that question is no. But some interposers are, in fact, full substrates.
The Right Approach: Electro-Tek—A Williams Family Legacy, Part 1
10/15/2025 | Steve Williams -- Column: The Right ApproachThere is no bronze bust in the lobby or portrait in the conference room of Electro-Tek's founder—my Dad, Charles “Chuck” Williams—so with the facility closing last year after 56 years, I feel it is time to tell the story. Chuck Williams founded Electro-Tek in 1968 in our basement, eventually moving into the second floor of an old 1913 building in downtown Milwaukee that is still standing (the first of three eventual facilities).