1 8 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 2 2 entrepreneurs within the organization would be of tremendous value. Success breeds success. Matching innovators with successful mentors would also be of value. The path of an entrepreneur can be lonely. Having a community of like-minded folks reinforces that you are not on this path alone and that we are all here to help one another whether we’re just starting out or have been on the entrepreneur’s path for decades. Birt: This is an important topic—as we work to democratize research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, we need to celebrate all of the innovators of our era. But we cannot exclusively celebrate the successes, we also need to celebrate the failures. If ASM can share stories of success and “opportunities for learning based on our mistakes” across the materials industry, then we can begin to learn from one another how to innovate faster andmore successfully as a group. There is so much room for innovation right now across space, climate change, and clean energy. We need to move at speed together in order to drive effectively toward a better world. Hogue: ASM has accumulated an enormous amount of materials science information. This information can be accessed by members. Go to chapter meetings and conferences, take classes, and connect with people in your field. Often at a chance meeting, a connection is made that will be very valuable in the future. Huang: ASM meetings can be a platform to connect inventors and providers of new materials technologies and products with users, possibly through an entrepreneurship track or other methods. What advice do you have for the next generation of STEM entrepreneurs? Birt: Chart your own course. There are so many pathways to successful entrepreneurship, whether it’s being an entrepreneur within an existing organization, starting a venture backed company, starting a research and licensing company, or starting a bootstrapped company. Come up with a personal mission, the thing that gets you up in the morning to keep grinding at bringing your innovation to life, and relentlessly pursue that mission. Don’t worry so much about how you’re getting there, just focus on meeting that mission every day. Even if your company or technology fails, you will have succeeded as a person, and that in and of itself is an accomplishment to be celebrated. Palmaz: The best advice I have for the next generation is to avoid iterative thinking whenever possible. Although revolutionary ideas are rare, it’s important that we constantly push ourselves not to accept the status quo simply because it is the standard or accepted practice. Additionally, don’t be afraid to break out of the development bubble and reach for other approaches not traditionally found in your industry. Kulkarni: Children should be taught how to enhance their creativity and should be allowed to innovate and experiment. Their minds should be free to imagine and think. Innovation will be the key to our future. Going forward, STEM will be in high demand, and this will also develop entrepreneurs. Creativity, flexibility, persistence, adaptability, along with knowledge and basic skills are all required for STEM and for entrepreneurs. Hogue: Find something you love doing and get good at it. Then find out if somebody else can use your knowledge without having to invest a great deal of time in learning it. I really enjoy teaching and passing on the knowledge I have gained through the years. You do not have to be perfect. Admit if you do not know something; do not fake it. Connect with people. Chan: As part of the next generation of STEM entrepreneurs myself, my advice is to prepare for the arrival of a transformative opportunity by always creating, improving leadership skills, networking, and most importantly, not succumbing to overconfidence. If there is something that sparks an invention or entrepreneurial spirit in you, don’t let it remain on a piece of paper. Go talk to a mentor, call a company, or share your thoughts with your network of connections. Be bold in reaching out because sometimes it only takes one good conversation for an idea to take off. ~AM&P 3D printer education as part of a robotics lesson can spark a child’s inventive spirit.
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