News Item #4

An article came out today in the Electronic Engineering Times titled 2009 Salary Survey: Engineers take a bad year in stride. This title automatically caught my attention since I am pursuing a career in Human Resources and I will most likely end up working with engineers at some point.

The article points out that an annual survey was administered by the Electronic Times to engineers worldwide and the results show that although we are in the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, engineers are still satisfied with their fields and opportunities for growth.

Based on the provided chart it seems that engineers in Asia, India, and Europe are discontent with their salaries compared to their counterparts in the West. "Engineers in China and India, who typically receive lower salaries than Western engineers do, are also less satisfied with engineering as a career, and are generally more open to the idea of changing jobs. Their dissatisfaction--and their willingness to switch allegiances and even careers to advance their positions--could well continue to rise as they become more tightly integrated into the global electronics design and supply chain fabric."

The article concludes that Emplloyers in the East may have to start increasing salaries in order to keep their employees happy and satisfied with their career choice.

Class Reflection: Week 5

On week 5, our class discussed the topic of engineering in the professional setting and the natural tension that can arise in the field. For example, who or to what does engineering serve? Unlike doctors who serve health or lawyers who serve those seeking justice. Another tension we discussed was the tension between engineering and business. It appears that about 60% of engineers transfer into a managerial role. I found this to be very interesting because I am not sure how prepared engineers are for this task, based on the required education curricula. It seems to me that this is another reason why the education curricula needs to include business courses, especially on how to manage people.

The class later discussed professional societies, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), National Society of Professional Engineers, and the Society of Human Resources Management.

We compared the code of ethics for the societies mentioned above. For instance the code of ethics for NSPE was very detailed about their rules along with high standards compared to the other two societies. The code of ethics for IEEE was very brief- almost can consider these to be 10 suggestions. Finally, SHRM's code of ethics included a language that was more in tune to the inside to the organization and seperated their core principles by sections, although it did not do a well job at defining them. I think it was very interesting examining these societies and learning more about SHRM because this was something that I was not exposed to in my time at the School of Labor and Employment Relations. I also think it was a good opportunity for my class to examine the societies of engineering because this encourage them to learn about other societies that are in line with their future employers, thus helping them to understand who they are serving.

News Item #3: Commentary: What's next for troubled SMIC?

I came across a commentary titled "What's next for troubled SMIC?" in the Electronic Engineering Times on November 15, 2009.

The commentary is about China's Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC) and points out how the company suffered three major setbacks. "On Tuesday (Nov. 10), it lost a big patent suit, its chief executive, and, in some respects, its independence".

It appears that the company was sued by the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (TSMC). "Under the terms, SMIC will pay TSMC $200 million plus SMIC stock and warrants. TSMC obtained 1,789,493,218 shares of SMIC, representing approximately 8 percent of SMIC. TSMC also obtained a warrant to subscribe for 695,914,030 shares of SMIC, which would allow TSMC to obtain total ownership of approximately 10 percent of SMIC". The commenter Mark LaPedus believes the organization has lost its independence and asks ifl TSMC will impose its will on SMIC? And over time, will TSMC buy SMIC--in an effort to expand into China?

The other setback was about the chief executive who resigned right after the settlement. SMIC has appointed veteran industry executive David N.K. Wang to replace Chang. However, others view the change in management as a positive thing. ''Shareholders have been very frustrated with SMIC's performance since IPO (in 2004), thus we believe the news will be interpreted positive,'' said Steven Pelayo,an analyst with HSBC.

The commenter also explains how the company's strategy is to emulate TSMC and offer a broad range of technologies. SMIC's process offerings include analog, CMOS, mixed-signal/RF, liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS), and MEMS technology. At one time, SMIC even offered a solar foundry process.

A lot of change has occurred to SMIC in the past week and I wonder how HR is dealing with it. I assume that change management practices will have to take place by keeping all employees aware of the changes and explain what those changes would mean to them, demonstration of job security if needed, and provide strategic thinking in ways to move forward with the organization.
For access to the full article, visit http://www.eetimes.com/news/semi/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=221601153

Class Reflection Week 4

In class #4, we looked the history of technology and discussed whether or not the inventions created 2000 plus years ago, such as tools used to clean scrapes, would be considered an item created by an engineer. The definition of engineering given to us in class is the following, "Engineering is the social practice of conceiving, designing, implementing, producing, & sustaining complex artifacts, processes, or systems appropriate to some recognized need". Our class discussed how this definition fits in with technology history. Some students had a difficult time considering Homo habilis' or Homo ergasters as engineers, unlike those who created the pyramids. One student argued that an engineer could be considered someone with great skill in their time frame who created something that resulted in improvement or enhancement, without any training or certification. I agree with this student because some of the greatest inventors have invented things in the past century by accident, such as the microwave, 3M post-it-notes,fireworks,etc. I do not think something has to be considered complex in order to have been created by engineer. Also, in the previous lectures, we learned that engineering concepts build on each other. Perhaps the stone flakes created 2 million years ago would not be considered a brilliant invention now, however inventions evolved over time and build on each other for further enhancement. This can be seen in the creation of the microwave(refer to embedded youtube video).

I really enjoyed reviewing some snippets of tech history and I think it was beneficial because as potential HR professionals, having familiarity with technology history can give us more credibility with our engineering colleagues and help us relate better with each other. I also think it is important to understand the history and culture of the company for whom you work for. Such knowledge will help the HR professional understand the business better and provide useful and relevant training.

SEE No. 2: Voltage Dividers and lighting an LED

In this Simulated Engineering Experience, I was placed in a team and our task was to construct a circuit in order light up an LED. The first step was to become familiar with the dimension of an LED and this was done by measuring the dimension of the LED with a digital caliper. I was rather amused by the digital caliper because I had never seen one before. I also learned that digital calipers are cheaper than the mechanical ones. The next step, was to build a circuit using a resistor with the appropriate amount of resistance in order to give a voltage drop across the LED so that it could be properly lit.

In this SEE, I learned that it is important to have a precise amount of current in order to light up an LED because if you use to much current, you can blow up the LED. This tells me that engineering consist of precise measures for constructing circuits and precision is important when measuring values. The second thing I learned is that previous knowledge is also key and this was exemplified in the SEE when my team used knowledge that we obtained from SEE No. 1. As discussed in class, engineering concepts build on each other. The third thing I learned is the importance of working in teams and how engineers depend on their coworkers when designing, implementing, and testing circuits. As an HR professional, I am interested in learning more about how engineers perceive team work and perhaps share that knowledge with other functions in an organizations. It seems like there is a lot we can learn about engineers and how the work together to meet an ends goal.

Prior to this SEE, I had already been exposed to a similar exercise where I lit some LEDs. However, it was until this class exercise that I realized how much light a small an LED can produce by seeing it from a difference angle. I understand that engineers are working on developing LEDs that can function as light bulbs. Hopefully, this can come to a reality so that we can save energy and still have a products that produces a rich source of light.

News Item #2:Predictions for Electronics in 2010

I came across an article in the Electronic Engineering Times, which is an electronics industry newspaper published in the USA with several decades of history. The title of the article is Seven Early Predictions for Electronics in 2010 by Mark LaPedus. The seven predictions come from various analysts in different segments and touch on the topics of semiconductors, silicon foundry, PC/PC OMD'S, cell phones, LCD equipment, FAB equipment, and solar. I will only touch on the predictions for semiconductors, PC/PC OMD'S, and LCD equipment. For more detailed information about this article, please visit www.eetimes.com.

Semiconductors
The prediction on the growth and revenue of semiconductors is provided by Susie Inouye, an analyst at Databeans Inc. Inouye explains that semiconductors grew worldwide, even when it went down 10 percent from 2008, but up 20 percent sequentially. “This puts the market on target with our current prediction of $217 billion, a contraction of 13 percent from 2008,” said Inouye. For the wireless sector, it is predicted that after some seasonal inactivity, the segment will continue to be strong. “Overall wireless baseband and RF revenue is expected to remain fairly flat at $6.2 billion followed be sequential growth in the first and second quarter of 2010 at $6.7 billion then $7.3 billion, respectively,'' says Inouye. She also predicts that for 2010, the PC segment market is expected to be down 14 percent followed by a 16 percent increase in 2010 as demand increases for computing devices.

PC/PC OMD'S
Steven Pelayo, an analyst with HSBC, believes that there is lots of optimism for Windows 7. Overall, 2010 notebook market is to grow 20 percent with Quanta forecasted to grow twice as fast. In terms of branded PCs, ''very strong 3Q shipments (prebuild for W7/Golden Week) are expected. Selling longer battery life with CULV base notebooks not as successful as originally hoped. Most looking for 30 percent growth in 2010 focusing on emerging markets,'' said Pelayo.

LCD Equipment
According to Charles Annis, an analyst for DisplaySearch, “While 2008 marked a record year in TFT LCD equipment spending, the combination of the worldwide economic crisis and the downside of the 'crystal cycle' are causing the equipment segment to suffer its largest drop ever in 2009.” However, LCD equipment is predicted to forecast about 51% growth in 2010. Annie explains that the industry is moving into a 'wait and see' mode, cautiously planning long lead time capacity expansions, evaluating whether the global economy and LCD demand are back on a growth curve and if China will be able to meet continuously increasing expectations,"

The predictions of these analysts was helpful in understanding the market trends in the electronics industry. Although, the world faced an economic downturn recently, it is good to hear that there is still prospect in the industry. I also think the predictions for 2010 can be made possible if engineers chose models that are accurate enough, but not too accurate, in order to save cost. In class, we discussed what makes a good model in engineering and how the choices engineers make are considered economic. However, the decisions engineers make also depends on how they are performing in comparison to their competitors. If a company is not gaining a competitive advantage, perhaps it might be wise to invest a little more for an expansive model that contains less error. Overall, in order for these predictions to take place, I think engineers just need to understand the overall cost when when designing a project and the cost of the tools that they used. Such understanding will the growth in the Electronics industry.

News Item:Rebuilding the IBM 1401

I found an article provided by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (a international non-profit organization). The headline of the article "Rebuilding the IBM 1401" by Philip E. Ross ( November 2009) states that a gang of veteran engineers breathes new life into the hulk of an old IBM 1401 computer.

The article mentions the love this gang of engineers have for the "old school" computer and their desire to make the vintage computer work at the Computer History Museum, in Mountain View, Calif. A reason for restoring the computer is because unlike the new modern computers, the IBM 1401 is mechanical and you can actually see how it works. ""It's a mechanical machine: The tape machine has an air sensor, a little rubber diaphragm with contacts on it, and you can see it work. With these modern computers, it's just magic—they've got things a few nanometers long, and you'll never see them" says an engineer who worked on the restoration.

Some random facts about the computer is that it was mostly used to sort things in were usually used in the areas of accounting, payroll, transaction analysis, and inventory control. "It was also a simple and inexpensive machine that processed numbers in decimal rather than binary form and accepted numbers of varying digit spans" (Ross, P) Another random fact is that companies would lease the computer for $6500 a month, which would be worth $45,000 today. Finally, the IBM 1401 is also known for appearing in the movie Dr. Strangelove (1964).

Engineers continue to work on another IBM 1401 that was recently purchase and they encourage other engineers to come to the Computer History Museum to work on these computers. "The museum can always throw more iron into the pot. "

Here is the link for a slide show provided by IEEE: http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/slideshow/computing/hardware/the-rebirth-of-the-ibm-1401-computer

SEE No. 1

My first SEE No.1 involved understanding the basic concepts and fundamentals of electronics. All the students in the class were able to have a hands on experience by learning how to build a functioning resistive circuit in a team of 2 or 3 students.

This exercise was a learning experience because it helped me understand that the work engineers do is very complex. Building circuits takes up a lot of time and one can easily become solely focused on only getting the task done. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, however one can assume that company policies or training would become secondary to the engineer.

I also became familar with the coding scheme that is used for coding resistors. At first, I found it a bit difficult in understanding how to read the coding chart and figuring out how to determine the values for color band and calculating the resistor's resistance. Although, I had some difficulty using the resistor coding chart, I think such a system was devised for efficiency and universality. By having this system in place companies do not have to worry about engineers using their own method to measure resistance. Having one system in place facilitates reading values and provides clear cut answers. Such a system differs in the way the information is presented in Human Resources. In engineering, information is clear cut and factual. Whereas in Human Resources, the majority information derives from studies, theories, and psychology. The information presented in the field of Human Resources has positively affected over all firm performance by helping business leaders understand how to value their employees in order to retain top talent and ultimately create value for shareholders.

After the exercise, I began to think how my experience could help me interact with engineers as a Human Resources Manager. In class, I suggested that any type of training (i.e. diversity, performance management, etc.) be modified for engineers by including problem solving exercises and material with reasoning. I perceive that engineers simply want to get the job done and do not wish to waste their time with training. Therefore, training should be designed so that it delivers its main message efficiently and effectively.