edfas.org 51 ELECTRONIC DEVICE FAILURE ANALYSIS | VOLUME 26 NO. 2 GUEST COLUMN EDFAS LONESTAR CHAPTER HOSTS SUCCESSFUL ONLINE WEFA NETWORKING EVENT Sarah Poehlmann, Milwaukee Tool sarah.poehlmann@milwaukeetool.com Renee Parente, AMD renee.parente@amd.com Joseph Caroselli, AMD joseph.caroselli@amd.com Tom Schamp tom.schamp@gmail.com Following the highly successful Women in Electronics Failure Analysis (WEFA) series of in-person events over the years at ISTFA, the EDFAS Lonestar Chapter sponsored an online WEFA networking event on March 1, the first day of Women’s History Month in the United States. The theme of National Women’s History Month 2024 was Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. All were welcome to attend our virtual gathering, and the diversity of the event’s attendees reflected the inclusivity of our EFDA Society. The event registrants attended from all over the U.S., were gender diverse, and numbered around 20, a perfect size for the networking event. Yan Li, the General Chair of ISTFA 2024, together with Sarah Poehlmann and Renee Parente, coauthors of this article, facilitated separate breakout rooms to enable participants to network in smaller groups. Dividing into breakout rooms allowed each group’s participants to comfortably discuss some of the challenges faced and accomplishments they achieved in their respective careers. Each room host had a list of questions to help facilitate the discussion and pull people into the conversations. This structure worked well, and our exchanges were positive and engaging, allowing time for each participant to be able to contribute and make connections. This opportunity brought together both women and men electronic failure analysis professionals at varying career stages. A common theme discussed in the breakout rooms was the disproportionate number of women to men in the field of failure analysis. The women with decades of career experience discussed what it was like being one of the few women in FA roles early in their careers and shared numerous tips for the attendees earlier in their career. The male attendees shared how they strive to be allies to their women peers. A top piece of advice was to find support in networking groups like WEFA and to not only find a mentor but an endorser to help you spot areas where you can contribute and to advise you on ways to grow your career. The feedback was extremely positive and due to the success of this event, similar networking events outside ISTFA to develop social and professional connections may become a regular part of our Society. Advertise in Electronic Device Failure Analysis magazine! For information about advertising in Electronic Device Failure Analysis: Mark Levis, Business Development Manager 440.671.3834, mark.levis@asminternational.org Current rate card may be viewed online at asminternational.org/advertise.
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