Attracting New Blood To An Aging Industry

June 26, 2008
One week after the annual IEEE Microwave Theory & Techniques Society (MTT-S) symposium and exhibition in Atlanta, GA, most attendees are still trying to shake off the effects of too much socializing and too much technology. The event is usually ...

One week after the annual IEEE Microwave Theory & Techniques Society (MTT-S) symposium and exhibition in Atlanta, GA, most attendees are still trying to shake off the effects of too much socializing and too much technology. The event is usually invigorating in terms of the amount of new information it offers, but can be exhausting, especially for those of us with a "few years" behind us. Something that became apparent from the 2008 MTT-S was the "graying" of this industry. While the aging process usually brings with it an abundance of wisdom, any industry needs an infusion of new blood for its overall health and continuity. Unfortunately, there are far too many engineers in the RF/microwave field closer to retirement than those just starting out. And that lack of youth often results in a lack of fresh, new thoughts and ideas. Of course, the efforts of folks like Dr. Larry Dunleavy, of Modelithics (www.modelithics.com) device modeling fame, but also a tireless promoter of this industry to students at the University of South Florida, should not go unnoticed for the value they bring to helping to "renew" this industry with fresh blood. And more such efforts will be needed for the long-term health and continuity of this industry.

About the Author

Jack Browne | Technical Contributor

Jack Browne, Technical Contributor, has worked in technical publishing for over 30 years. He managed the content and production of three technical journals while at the American Institute of Physics, including Medical Physics and the Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology. He has been a Publisher and Editor for Penton Media, started the firm’s Wireless Symposium & Exhibition trade show in 1993, and currently serves as Technical Contributor for that company's Microwaves & RF magazine. Browne, who holds a BS in Mathematics from City College of New York and BA degrees in English and Philosophy from Fordham University, is a member of the IEEE.

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