edfas.org ELECTRONIC DEVICE FAILURE ANALYSIS | VOLUME 27 NO. 1 32 The Women in Electronics Failure Analysis (WEFA) lunch session, a favorite annual networking event at ISTFA, is more than just a gathering. It is a vibrant community group for women in the field of failure analysis (FA) in the electronics industry. WEFA’s mission is to provide unwavering support, encouragement, and mentorship to our members, empowering them to advance their careers, assume leadership roles, and offer mentorship opportunities. This is achieved through various online and in-person meetings and events, such as the WEFA networking session, where members can connect, learn, and grow. The WEFA 2024 ISTFA lunch session left attendees upbeat and inspired. As this was our 50th ISTFA, the WEFA 2024 session’s theme of “Progressing through our Career Journeys” aligned with this milestone anniversary. Participants initially gathered in groups at round tables and started with icebreakers to get to know their tablemates, then proceeded to share their associations with ISTFA and their professional career journeys. Attendees developed meaningful connections through reflections on where their careers started and where they are now. Held on October 31, 2024, which is Halloween in the United States, the session included treats for attendees. To merge our sweet treats and networking goals, we played the “pick a candy bar” activity. Each attendee excitedly WEFA 2024 ISTFA LUNCH SESSION RECAP Amrutha Sampath, NXP Semiconductors Renee Parente, AMD Sarah Poehlmann, Milwaukee Tool amrutha.sampath_1@nxp.com chose one full-size candy bar out of eight options, and the organizers cheerfully shared quirky personality descriptions associated with each candy bar. These descriptions were all positive and uplifting, elevating the mood of each participant as they found themselves in their candy bar description. New networking tables were formed based on the candy bar selections, and networking questions targeted toward the ISTFA 2024 theme, “Riding the Wave of Artificial Intelligence (AI),” were discussed. The profound impact of AI on the semiconductor industry was a key focus, sparking insightful discussions on various strategies to embrace changes, overcome the challenges of emerging technologies, and the benefits of using AI. This well-attended session left participants informed and engaged. Attendees were encouraged to take photos of the badges of the participants who attended the WEFA session to connect with them. Gifts from Milwaukee Tool, NXP, and AMD were available to all participants as a small token of our appreciation for their participation. The WEFA session concluded with a feedback survey and a link to add the contact information of all participants, promoting the idea of staying connected within the WEFA community. This encouragement of feedback and contact sharing made each participant feel valued and included in the WEFA community. Attendees at the 2024 WEFA ISTFA lunch session enjoyed sharing their career journeys and networking with each other.
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