As the IPC Education Foundation reflects on hosting its largest IPC APEX EXPO STEM Outreach Event this past January, we realize that the activities we planned for the more than 550 students who attended allowed them to engage and connect with real industry representatives, as well as hear and learn about the unique career journeys of industry.
What were the results of these efforts? From our surveys, we learned:
These numbers are very encouraging. The Foundation encourages potential talent and interested jobseekers—predominantly students—to consider a career in the electronics manufacturing industry. The three pillars driving all strategic initiatives are centered around awareness, engagement, and connection.
Because of its interactive nature, engagement is an important career driver that takes on various forms. We are sharing just two examples.
During the STEM Outreach Event, the students engaged with dozens of professionals during the breakout tracks. The tracks included the soldering activity, show floor tour, design experience, career panel, and roundtable career discussions.
A relatively new way we are creating awareness is through careersinelectronics.com, a valuable resource for learning more about careers the industry offers. This website is designed for anyone interested in exploring the job responsibilities, education needed, and pay structure for all types of careers in electronics and electronics manufacturing.
IPC Student Chapter Program
The IPC Education Foundation is proud of its IPC Student Chapter Program, which started in 2019 at Auburn University and has expanded to more than 50 schools. Our goal is to enhance collaboration among students at their university or college. The chapters are student driven, which provides an opportunity for them to develop their leadership, professional, and personal skills. For only a $40 membership fee, students realize several benefits of joining a student chapter, including scholarships and awards, select sets of industry courses, access to IPC standards, and regular connections with industry.
We are currently exploring additional ways for students to participate in similar programs to ensure we support the workforce challenges the industry is facing. Through these efforts we aim to expand engagement across a wider student population to attract more talent. There are various ways in which IPC Student Members benefit from being part of the current IPC Student Chapters program. Click here to hear directly from three student leaders on their activities at their respective schools.
Charlene Gunter du Plessis is the senior director of the IPC Education Foundation.
07-27-2023
As the IPC Education Foundation reflects on hosting its largest IPC APEX EXPO STEM Outreach Event this past January, we realize that the activities we planned for the more than 550 students who attended allowed them to engage and connect with real industry representatives, as well as hear and learn about the unique career journeys of industry. What were the results of these efforts?
View Story01-18-2023
There is no better way to end 2022 than by recognizing the hardworking students and educators who are driven to invest their time and energy in the electronics manufacturing industry. Through the IPC Scholarship and Awards program, we can help students invest in their future and reward the accomplishments of those who have dedicated themselves to bettering themselves and the industry. These important scholarships are meant to help students avoid or alleviate college debt and help fund professional growth opportunities. IPC recently awarded a total of $54,000 in scholarships and awards.
View Story11-16-2022
The IPC Student Chapter network has been a wonderful program allowing students interested in pursuing a career in electronics manufacturing with the opportunity to connect with industry members. These connections are important for knowledge share from a technical and career aspiration perspective because individuals can enter the industry through various paths. The IPC Education Foundation developed this program to equip students with opportunities that will allow them to benefit personally and professionally. Hannah Nelson serves as the chapter president at Valparaiso University and was elected as a representative to serve on the IPC Board of Directors. She anticipates graduating in 2023 with her electrical engineering degree.
View Story06-22-2022
The IPC Education Foundation was fortunate to attend two events in the Milwaukee area. Wendy Gaston, business development manager, represented the IPC Education Foundation at these events, and it was wonderful to learn more about her experiences at them. Attending conferences and events always contributes to establishing relationships with new clients, reconnecting with old ones, and learning more about new trends and opportunities for growth.
View Story05-18-2022
To support students in high school and college by sharing information about the careers the electronics manufacturing industry has to offer, the IPC Education Foundation wanted to ensure that irrespective of the current academic landscape sharing the insights, knowledge and stories from experts should continue to enable students to conveniently attend irrespective of location or circumstance. Webinars have become an extremely useful tool.
View Story04-18-2022
The IPC Education Foundation had a successful 2021 and accomplished a lot despite the impacts of the pandemic. As we manage our way through the various challenges, we are proud of our progress toward our mission: Develop a pipeline of new talent entering the electronics industry by creating awareness of the careers the electronics manufacturing industry has to offer, and providing students access to knowledge, content, and connections. You can also find a downloadable copy of the “Year in Review” at ipcef.org.
View Story03-15-2022
What better way to learn about the careers the electronics manufacturing industry has to offer than hearing from young professionals in the industry. The idea to host another career panel discussion webinar was inspired by a recent article I read about the “3 Things Young Professionals Need to Know to Grow Their Career” by Amy Bastuga, chief people officer at Radio Flyer, number three in Vault's 2021 Best Internships for Overall Diversity. It made me realize that maybe it shouldn’t be that hard…only three things.
View Story02-09-2022
One of the programs of the IPC Education Foundation is proud of is the IPC Scholarships and Awards program. 2021 was a wonderful year in which students excelled deserving students and teachers were recognized for their commitment to the electronics manufacturing industry. A total of $38,000 were awarded.
View Story11-04-2021
The value of a scholarship, however, is more than just the ability to cover short-term tuition. A scholarship affords students the opportunity to pursue long-term goals: delivering a return on the initial investment that will benefit the student, his or her family, and the broader community for years to come
View Story07-21-2021
The electronics industry faces the challenge of attracting talent. The IPC Education Foundation (IPCEF) aims to help solve this challenge by increasing awareness of the industry and equipping students with valuable industry-standard education to better prepare motivated students for careers in electronics.
View Story06-29-2021
Looking back on our second year, the IPC Education Foundation (IPCEF) takes pride in how we how we adjusted our engagement initiatives during the pandemic. We couldn’t rely on our original strategy of hosting and attending a range of in-person activities and events.
View Story04-21-2021
The IPC Emerging Engineer Program just graduated its first members in 2020, finishing up the first batch of the 3-year program. While the Emerging Engineer Program was traditionally created for early-career professionals, IPC and the IPC Education Foundation decided to reserve slots for five qualified student candidates to earn a spot in the professional development and mentorship program.
View Story03-24-2021
In place of the annual STEM Event that the IPC Education Foundation hosts as part of the IPC APEX EXPO, the foundation held the Build Your Future Career Panel. In the last few years, the IPC Education Foundation has enjoyed hosting Career & Technical Education (CTE) students onsite at the IPC APEX EXPO for an entire day of exposure to the industry and hands-on learning. While we weren’t able to host students in person this year, we hosted a virtual event that introduced hundreds of students and has the potential to reach thousands more thanks to the digital recording.
View Story02-09-2021
The IPC Education Foundation (IPCEF) takes pride in their accomplishments in their second year. The Foundation focused on a variety of digital/virtual exposure and engagement activities to share information about the electronics manufacturing industry.
View Story01-06-2021
There was no better way to end 2020 than by making a positive impact in deserving students and educators’ lives. We can help students to invest in their future and reward the accomplishments of those who are hardworking and dedicated. Scholarships are hugely important, especially when helping students avoid and alleviate college debt as well as professional growth opportunities.
View Story12-02-2020
As colleges and universities continue to adapt to remote and virtual learning, the IPC Education Foundation has also adapted to support its IPC student members and 38 IPC student chapters across the U.S. With the increase in distance learning, Aaron Birney describes how the IPCEF has had to adapt its initiatives for student chapters.
View Story11-04-2020
It is refreshing to connect with young professionals who are passionate about the industry and true ambassadors to IPC. Charlene Gunter du Plessis connected with Tayler Swanson, an engineering team member at Digital Instruments Inc., and Olivia Lim, a manufacturing engineer at Kimball Electronics, to discuss their studies, professional career journeys, and exciting opportunities in the electronics manufacturing industry.
View Story10-14-2020
Universities faced tough decisions moving into fall semesters and quarters, and now most students are back on campus for a semi-virtual collegiate experience that significantly affects their courses and extracurriculars. Aaron Birney shares thoughts and experiences in classrooms and campuses across the U.S. from IPC student members and an IPC student chapter advisor and professor.
View Story09-02-2020
Webinars are great communication tools, and the possibilities are endless. Charlene Gunter du Plessis and Corey Lynn share updates on the IPC Education Foundation's webinar series, as well as upcoming topics.
View Story08-12-2020
In every industry, mentorship enriches and enhances career development. Charlene Gunter du Plessis connects with Michael Carano to hear about his views on mentorship, as well as his experience as a mentor with the IPC Emerging Engineer Program.
View Story07-01-2020
Charlene Gunter du Plessis describes how IPC’s Board of Directors recently added a full voting board seat to an IPC Student Member, including introducing the student liaison and sharing an interview with Dr. John Mitchell and Shane Whiteside.
View Story06-03-2020
Scholarships are hugely important, especially when helping students avoid and alleviate college debt. Charlene Gunter du Plessis highlights some of the 2019 IPCEF scholarship winners, as well as a book on the topic written by Dr. John Mitchell, IPC president and CEO.
View Story04-29-2020
At a time where 42 states have stay-at-home orders, and thousands of school districts are transitioning to a remote learning environment, online resources are essential. Charlene Gunter du Plessis recaps some of the ways to learn about the electronics manufacturing industry online.
View Story04-01-2020
The IPC Education Foundation launched the IPC Student Chapter Program in February 2019, with the formal announcement at IPC APEX EXPO. The program aims to connect students in relevant two-year, four-year, and graduate programs to the electronics industry and IPC member companies. Aaron Birney provides an update on the substantial growth of IPC Student Chapters over the past year.
View Story03-04-2020
When we hold an event, there is nothing more rewarding than words like these from Diego, Mount Miguel High School: “I learned many valuable pieces of information related to engineering careers. My favorite topic to learn about was PCBs. I enjoyed participating in the hands-on activities, such as breadboarding and soldering. Overall, I had a wonderful time at the event!” Charlene Gunter du Plessis shares the success of the IPC STEM Student Outreach Program, as well as other updates from IPC APEX EXPO 2020.
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