I just read Pete's article in the e-mail newsletter from PCD&M. It's very well written. http://www.pcbupdate.com/ Self evaluation is a good thing to a point, as long as we don't end up contemplating our navels... and movement or action should follow when the path has become clear. Sometimes we don't have time to take stock of where we are in our careers and make a plan to secure our futures and our direction... we can't see too well when the ol' nose is to the grindstone... Whining... well that's really an indicator that we aren't doing anything about it ourselves now isn't it.. ? We come from different backgrounds and experiences but we all have one thing in common... we are PCB designers and we realize that nobody gives a hoot whether or not we make it in this industry... with one very large EXCEPTION... those designers, who besides just working for their own employers, are also working to secure a place for us... here within the Designers Council. These exceptional folks who give of their time and effort to support the profession and it's needs are a cut above all the rest... If you don't know who they are.. get to know them. You will make some good friends. I think the profession of the PCB designer has risen in respect and prestige over the last ten years and it will continue to gain respect in the industry as it is proven what valuable people designers truly are. Those who avail themselves of the training and seminars available year round from the DC and UP Media's PCB WEST and EAST are benefiting themselves as well as their companies... and the PCB industry gets the benefit of having easier to manufacture boards, less rework, higher yields, more productivity, easier to assemble, and test printed circuits. There are more and more CID's in the ranks and many have gone on to further their education and achieve the CID+ certification. People are taking charge of their careers. These are exciting times for those of us in the industry and we need to take every opportunity we have to make our careers secure, and rewarding through support of the DC and it's programs... If you know a designer that hasn't found out about the DC and it's benefits and purpose... please, introduce them at your next chapter meeting... Best regards, Bill Brooks - KG6VVP PCB Design Engineer , C.I.D.+, C.I.I. Tel: (760)597-1500 Ext 3772 Fax: (760)597-1510 e-mail:[log in to unmask] http://www.dtwc.com http://pcbwizards.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DesignerCouncil Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8d To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF DesignerCouncil. To temporarily stop/(restart) delivery of DesignerCouncil send: SET DesignerCouncil NOMAIL/(MAIL) Search previous postings at: www.ipc.org > On-Line Resources & Databases > E-mail Archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------