At Indesign, LLC, community connection isn’t an afterthought, it’s an essential part of who we are. Our team was excited to spend time this summer with the bright young minds of the Nextech Catapult program. This paid internship and immersive experience is designed to open doors for high school students across Indianapolis who are curious about careers in technology, software, engineering, and computer science.
But what makes an experience like this truly memorable is the chance to learn directly from those who live and breathe technology every day. Five of our Indesign team members took part in a lively panel discussion to share their career journeys, lessons learned, and insights into what life in the tech world really looks like.
Meet the Indesign Panelists
Mason – Business Development Manager & Former Firmware Engineer
Mike – PCB Designer & Engineering Services Manager
Kevin – Senior Electrical Engineer
Arya – Electrical Engineer
Julia – Firmware Engineer
Tech Journeys: The Takeaways That Stuck with Students
Mason led our panel and kicked off the discussion by asking the room a simple question. “Who wants to guess how many items with a circuit board you have already touched today?” We saw the students thinking and heard replies of “one,” and “two”, but as the panel began listing everyday electrical devices, like electric toothbrushes, headphones, garage door openers, and digital house keys, it quickly became clear just how surrounded we are by technology. And that list could go on and on. It was the perfect lead-in to showcase what the team at Indesign does best: designing the brains behind the devices we rely on every day.
Each panelist was able to talk through their career in tech. Students gained real-world perspective from a diverse panel of Indesign engineers, each sharing how their career paths and passion shaped their role in tech today.
Mason emphasized that careers in tech aren’t always linear. Starting with firmware and progressing into business development, he showed students how technical skills can evolve into client-facing roles and strategic influence. His message: keep an open mind, you never know where your interests may lead.
Kevin brought real-world engineering to life by sharing the systems he’s worked on and how his passion began. As a hands-on learner, he described how taking things apart and chasing improvements was second nature. He called it backyard engineering – fixing bikes, building go-karts, and modifying controllers. His story showed students that those curious, hands-on moments weren’t just hobbies, they were early signs they’re meant for this field.
Arya offered a relatable perspective on transitioning from the classroom to a career, emphasizing that while college helps build foundational skills, having a coach or mentor is invaluable for developing the specific abilities you want to grow or pursuing the types of projects you enjoy.
Mike showed just how deep and specialized a tech career can become. With 30+ years in electronics design, he explained the art and complexity behind PCB design and prototype builds, giving students a long-term view of growth in the industry.
Julia closed the panel by sharing that her original path was to become a teacher, but pivoted to tech. She shared a look at embedded software and how it connects the digital and physical worlds. Her coding experience and technical versatility helped students see how broad and essential software skills are in today’s devices.
Real Questions, Real Projects
We continued the discussion with one of its most engaging moments, a Q&A where students asked thoughtful, sometimes complex questions. From exploring the nuances between firmware and software to troubleshooting project setbacks and staying motivated through technical challenges, the conversation was candid and full of valuable insight.
To bring those discussions to life, the panelists shared real Indesign projects, showcasing everything from embedded systems to custom PCB designs. Students had the chance to interact with the hardware, ask in-depth questions, and see firsthand how engineering concepts translate into finished products.
It was a hands-on, technical finish to the session filled with connection, exploration, and real-world perspective.
Why Does This Matter?
Why invest time connecting with students like these? Because they are the future of Indiana’s tech community. Experiences like Nextech Catapult don’t just teach technical skills like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript; they spark curiosity, and build connections.
If you’re a professional reading this, ask yourself:
Who inspired you to take your first step into your field? What advice would you have given your high school self? Opportunities like this remind us that a simple story, a shared challenge, or a bit of real-world advice can change the way a student sees their own potential.
We’re grateful to Nextech Catapult for creating this space where professionals and students can meet and learn. It’s part of Indesign’s ongoing commitment to not only deliver engineering excellence to our clients, but also to invest in the next generation of problem solvers, makers, and thinkers. After all, the next great engineer, or entrepreneur might have been sitting in that room.
Contact Indesign today at (317) 377-5450 to learn how we can help you achieve engineering excellence! We specialize in electrical, RF/wireless, embedded software, mechanical design, and more!
