Interview with Emerging Engineer Student – Tyler Wilson
The IPC Emerging Engineer program has many benefits from an educational and mentoring perspective. It provides the participants of the program with professional development from industry representatives as mentors giving back their time as mentors shaping the future talent for the industry. Another element is that the students have the opportunity to get an insight look and guidance in terms of career advancement, connections with future employers, and it provides a platform to engage with likeminded professionals.
Tyler Wilson has a very unique profile and even though he has been working in the industry for more than a decade he is a registered student at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College to obtain his electronics engineering degree. Charlene Gunter, Sr. Director of the IPC Education Foundation had the opportunity to connect with him about the experience and to learn more about her future career aspirations.
Charlene: “Share a little background on yourself”
Tyler: “School and work life: I have been working in manufacturing for twelve years. My professional role, as a technical trainer at Kearfott Corporation, has allowed me to become a CIT in IPC J-STD-001, J-STD-001SA and IPC-A-610. I am currently working towards a degree in electronics engineering at Asheville-Buncombe Tech. In my personal life: My wife and I met in seventh grade math class when we were twelve years old. We have been married for eight years. We have twins that are six years old.”
Charlene: “Briefly explain why you were interested in the Emerging Engineer Program.”
Tyler: “I was lucky enough to find the EE program on the IPC site when I was ordering documents. I knew this was an opportunity I wanted to apply for because I am involved with IPC daily in career.”
Charlene: “What’s the most valuable aspects of the Emerging Engineer Program?”
Tyler: “Networking with all the companies/people involved in our industry make this program more valuable than work experience.”
Charlene: “Why is this important within our industry?”
Tyler: “Being able to put a face behind the name of the company, and getting to know them, makes the emerging engineer program very important.”
Charlene: “What’s your next steps in terms of professional growth and/or career aspirations?”
Tyler: “After finishing my degree program, I will be in search of an engineering position somewhere near a beach. It has been the goal of my wife and I since getting married almost eight years ago.”
Charlene: “Why would you recommend students to consider career paths in electronics manufacturing?”
Tyler: “Electronics are the past, present and future. The industry has been growing for many decades and it is not slowing down. There is a continuous need for all roles involved in electronics. Engineers in this field have their hands in shaping the future of technology and helping people around world. Why would anybody not want to be included?”
Charlene: “What has been the highlight of the IPC APEX EXPO?”
Tyler: “My favorite part of the EXPO was the networking opportunity. I am glad I got to meet other people that are as passionate about the industry as I am.”
Charlene: “Please share three new things you’ve learned this week.”
Tyler:
- IPC doesn’t make the standards. Its members do.
- If not for IPC, everybody would be working without any sort of direction.
- IPC, and all its leaders, want their emerging engineers to network.
Charlene: “Please share a few sentences what this experience meant to you personally?”
Tyler: “I have been working extremely hard at work, and school, to be able to give my children all the things I never had. This opportunity has given me reason to believe that I am going in the right direction. I met so many great people. To be around such great minds was a blessing and I hope to have a career with people like that when I finish school. There were also people from other companies that I met during standards meetings that made an impact in my life and I plan on keeping in touch with. This trip has connected me to companies and individuals that will connect me with my forever career. It was an absolute priceless experience. I love the people I spent time with at APEX. They are the greatest and I hope all of them do great things in their careers. They deserve nothing but the best. I may be biased but I think this group of people is the best IPC has ever had.”
Charlene: “Any final thoughts?”
Tyler: “My mentor, Christina Rutherford, is a great connection to have and I couldn’t have asked for a more intelligent person to spend time with at APEX. The other student, Krystal Li, was probably one of the nicest people I have ever met. I am very glad I was able to meet her. It is easy to tell, she’s going to have a very fruitful career. Kohl Titzler has become a true friend since meeting him. We have talked almost every day since APEX started. Antoine Mwamba is a super nice guy, and I hope he goes as far as he wants because he deserves it. Hannah Grace, is a brilliant-minded individual who loves attending PD courses. She was an excellent connection to make, and I hope to keep contact with her between now and finishing school.”
