November AMP_Digital

HIGHL IGHTS A D V A N C E D M A T E R I A L S & P R O C E S S E S | N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9 7 7 EMERGING PROFESSIONALS The Importance of Continuous Learning Joel Davis Learning and developing new skills and competencies is one of the most important aspects of an emerging pro- fessional’s career journey. This period of learning is often described as an S-curve in which the first six months are spent acquiring basic knowledge, the next two to three years are spent in a phase of accelerated growth in competency and confidence, and the final phase is a slower climb toward mastery. For emerging professionals who have many skills to learn, it is essential to be mindful of this framework. There are many different avenues to learning and no one way is right. The key is to constantly strive to learn throughout your career. Many employers offer train- ing courses or temporary cross-training assignments to broaden the skills of their employees. Some skills can be learned outside of work through volunteerism or training and then translated into your professional career. Other skills can be learned by undertaking optional projects not directly related to your job. Getting to know what different opportunities are available around you and being willing to jump on a sudden opportunity that comes up, are both keys to success. FROM THE FOUNDATION Daehn Shares Goals for 2020 Through my work, I witness the critical need for people who both understand materials, science, and engineering and can DO hands-on things, like tinkering, designing and making their own creations. I am confi- dent you observe similar needs in your industries. The ASM Materials Educa- tion Foundation (MEF) is addressing workforce challenges by improving K-12 education and challenging the status quo. We put stu- dents on track for careers that are meaningful, fulfilling, and much needed; changing lives in a profoundly positive way— with a model that can scale. ASM MEF educates teachers authentically, efficiently, and at great scale. Over 700 teachers per summer enroll in our weeklong Materials Camps for Teachers—at no cost to them. These programs, which allow for immeasurable stu- dent reach, are extremely popular with teachers as they fill gaps that many have in their education. This inspiring, tested, and vetted content provides insight to talk about materials and manufacturing in their classrooms, demon- strations that become part of chemistry classes, or a full high school course in materials science. Materials Camps for Teachers have immense leverage, reaching over 11,000 teachers to date who each educate thousands of students during their career. ASM MEF sees the great value in this work, despite Materials Camps being expensive to maintain, execute, and improve. As a result of ASM MEF’s work, and our constellation of incredible teachers, about 300 high schools now offer full materials science courses. Students from these programs enter the STEM workforce in careers ranging from hands-on makers tomaterials theorists. We have a successful program foundation, but we know there is a pressing need to reach more students and teachers. Our goals for ASM MEF’s future include: • • Grow to reach over 50,000 students per year in both middle and high schools • • Continually improve, codify, and digitize our first-rate curriculum • • Hold Materials Camps in all 50 U.S. states • • Grow to meet these goals in a sustainable way We need your support to maintain and grow this valu- able program. Please help the Foundation by reaching out to your company or others that share our passion to bring more students into the STEM workforce. Contact Carrie Wil- son, the Foundation’s executive director, at carrie.wilson@ asminterntional.org , or me at daehn.1@osu.edu. To make a donation, visit asmfoundation.org/asm-donate/. As always, our sincerest gratitude for your support and commitment! Glenn S. Daehn, FASM Chair, ASM Materials Education Foundation Master Teacher Bob Wesolowski runs a summer camp for middle school students each year with assistance from students in his high school materials science course. Daehn EMERGING PROFESSIONALS