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Communications Scholarship for Veterans and Students

Veterans and students interested in wireless communications careers are encouraged to submit an essay by January 4, 2019 to win a scholarship to attend ETA International’s Education Forum, co-locating with the International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE). Winners will meet respected industry leaders and recruiters from government, public safety, utility, transportation, and business enterprise during the March conference in Las Vegas.

Greencastle, October 26, 2018: ETA International and IWCE are co-sponsoring a scholarship for one US Veteran and one student interested in the many exciting, lucrative and diverse careers in wireless communications to attend ETA’s Education Forum 2019 (EF19), which will co-locate with IWCE March 4-8, 2019 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall.

The Veteran scholarship includes five nights hotel stay (room charge and tax) at IWCE’s host hotel; one Short Course Package conference pass to IWCE - $549 value, one coach class plane ticket to Las Vegas, NV - value up to $400; and access to the Job Training & Education Center, along with a pass to IWCE’s two-day exhibit hall.

The Veteran scholarship also includes a choice of one seat in the Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) hands-on training workshop, conducted by IWA Technical Services Inc. (IWATSI), along with ETA's related certification test, a $949 total value. Veterans with an FCC Amateur Radio License or those with a strong communications background are encouraged to apply.

Last year’s Veteran scholarship winner was Lukas C. Pinson, CETsr, Motorola Solutions Systems Technologist, Chandler, AZ. He said the scholarship gave him an opportunity to meet the most respected and influential people in the field of wireless communications. He attended the Microwave Radio Technician training workshop as part of his scholarship package.

“The course helped me become more familiar with the fundamentals of microwave communications in my pursuit of becoming a wireless communications expert and set me apart from some of my colleagues,” Pinson said. An ETA Senior Certified Electronics Technician, Pinson has earned ETA certifications in basic electronics, wireless communications, antenna systems, radio frequency (RF) interference mitigation, and computer service. He has 17 years of combined experience in information technology and communications with the US Army, Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, and the Arizona National Guard.

The student scholarship essay contest also includes one short course package conference pass ($549 value), one coach class plane ticket to Las Vegas, NV (value up to $400), two nights hotel stay at IWCE’s host hotel (approximate value of $400), access to IWCE’s exhibit hall and recognition during ETA’s annual award banquet.

Last year’s student winner was Spencer Williamson, A&M Consolidated High School, College Station, TX. A cancer survivor, he said the entirety of patient care held under the umbrella of wireless communication amazes him.

“Now I constantly contemplate the aspects of Hospital Information Systems (HIS) and this fixation on the HIS as a core component of patient care has brought about changes in my academic career,” Williams said, adding, “I now take a telecommunications and networking class in high school to increase my understanding of wireless and wired communication.”

To be eligible, students must have at least a 2.5 grade point average and must be currently enrolled in a school or other technical training program. This essay must describe the student’s ideal career in wireless communications, how this scholarship could benefit their future personally and professionally, as well as why they should be considered for this scholarship.

Winners will be recognized during ETA’s annual Awards Banquet, where they will be personally introduced to industry movers and shakers with future-thinking insights.

Essays must be 1,000 words (12 point type and double-spaced) or less and must be accompanied with a recent resume, cover letter and picture as separate attachments. The deadline is January 4, 2019 and may be submitted www.etai.org or mlawson@eta-i.org.

ETA's partners, the industry’s most respected trainers, will provide in-depth hands-on training in 11 key areas of expertise beginning on Monday, March 4th. Following each training class, ETA will provide opportunities to test for ETA certification. Hands-on training workshops leading to ETA certification at EF19@IWCE include: 5G Technician: An Introduction to 5G; Associate Certified Electronics Technician, Cybersecurity and Information Technology Specialist, Distributed Antenna Systems, General Communications Technician, Level 1, Line and Antenna Sweep, Microwave Fundamentals, Passive Intermodulation (PIM) Testing, R56 Communications Site Installer, RF Interference Mitigation, and Smart Buildings Technologies. Industry trainers include: 3D Design & Engineering, Inc.; Bird Technologies; Commdex Consulting; Dover Telecommunications Services; eITPrep; Heartland Community College; IWA Technical Services, Inc.; Pro Lighting and Electrical; Walker & Associates; and Wharton County Junior College.

Register today for to attend these hands-on training workshops or technical sessions at: www.iwceexpo.com/iwce19/Public/Content.aspx?ID=1070264&sortMenu=108000.

View pictures of the event on ETA’s website at: www.etai.org/education_forum.html or on ETA’s Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/ETAInternational.

About the Education Forum - ETA International is proud to host hands-on training through outside vendors in popular technology areas related to ETA certification during Education Forum, co-located with the International Wireless Communications Expo, March 5-9, 2018, in Orlando, FL. ETA's partners, the industry’s most respected trainers, will provide in-depth hands-on training in 12 key areas of expertise beginning on Monday, March 5th. Following each training class, ETA will provide opportunities to test for ETA certification.

About ETA - Since 1978, ETA has delivered over 200,000 certification examinations successfully. Widely recognized and frequently used in worker job selection, hiring processes, pay increases, and advancements, ETA certifications are often required as companies bid on contracts. ETA’s certifications are personal and travel with the individual, regardless of employment or status change and measure competencies of persons, not products or vendors. All ETA certifications are accredited through the International Certification Accreditation Council (ICAC) and align with the ISO-17024 standard. www.etai.org .

About International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) - Since 1977, the International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) has been the authoritative annual event for communications technology professionals. IWCE features over 370 exhibitors showcasing the latest products and trends in the industry. Over 7,000 individuals attend from a diverse group of industry professionals including government/military, public safety, utility, transportation and business enterprise. IWCE 2018 will be held March 5-9, 2018 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando FL. For more information, visit www.iwceexpo.com.

Download this press release at – www.etai.org /pr/Communications_Scholarship_for_Veterans_and_Students.pdf