Why does Karen believe mentoring new engineers is important?

She says new graduates often lack manufacturing experience and benefit from mentors who help them interpret requirements, find resources, and navigate IPC standards.

What motivated Karen to become a mentor in the Emerging Engineer program?

She became a mentor because early in her career she had no guidance and later benefited from strong mentors, inspiring her to support others in the same way.

What challenges did she face as a mentor?

Busy schedules across different companies limited coordination, and committee meetings often conflicted with planned mentor activities.

How do IPC standards help in the mentoring process?

IPC standards provide essential guidance for printed board design, best practices, and problem solving, enabling emerging engineers to learn faster and contribute sooner.

What advice does Karen offer to women entering engineering careers?

She encourages finding supportive workplaces, connecting with other women engineers, attending IPC events, and embracing opportunities despite outdated perceptions.

Blog | electronics.org

Jul 22, 2019

Economic and Market Conditions Drive Industry Optimism While Labor Force Issues Lead Negative Drivers

By Sharon Starr, director, market research IPC’s second-quarter 2019 Pulse of the Electronics Industry survey results indicated a bump in the positive impact of economic and

Jun 27, 2019

Saying Yes to Opportunities: IPC’s Emerging Engineer Program Offers Career Growth for Electronics Industry Newcomers

What makes the IPC Emerging Engineer Program a premier networking and career enriching program? IPC staff spoke to Emerging Engineer Kate Stees, materials & process engineer

Jun 26, 2019

Seven Highlights from IPC’s SummerCom from a Government Relations Perspective

Last week, IPC hosted SummerCom, our semi-annual standards development committee meetings, in Raleigh, North Carolina. The event brought together thousands of technical

Jun 11, 2019

What Every Electronics Company Needs to Know about Environmental Product Requirements

By Kelly Scanlon, IPC Director of Environment, Health and Safety Policy and Research The task of monitoring and complying with environmental, health and safety (EHS) rules

Jun 10, 2019

IPC’s PCB Technology Trends Study Highlights Trends that Will Impact Board Fabricators

By Michael Carano, vice president, technology and business development, RBP Chemical Technology The recent publication of IPC’s 2018 PCB Technology Trends study highlighted

Jun 05, 2019

PCB Fabricators’ Technical Capabilities Exceed OEMs’ Needs in Many Areas, According to IPC Study

By Dennis Fritz, Fritz Consulting Some interesting differences showed up in the board property data reported by the OEMs and PCB fabricators that participated in IPC’s PCB

A Conversation with Karen McConnell -- An Emerging Engineer Program Mentor

EPA, Industry Come Together in Visit to TTM Facility

Help Us Help You: Does Your Company Use Any of These Chemicals?