Diversity in Action

Kodak programs put young tech grads on the fast track

Training in imaging science combines classes with on-the-job experience. Contact with senior technical pros helps build networks for the future

When Eastman Kodak Co needed imaging science expertise in the 1980s, the company established the Image Science Career Development Program (ISCDP).

John Lacek: ISCDP gives engineers "the opportunity to grow, to continue learning and to contribute."

The program still educates young BS and MS engineers, but it also puts them on the fast track in the imaging science business. "They have the opportunity to grow, to continue learning and to contribute as engineers," says John Lacek, manager of the program.

Kodak is structured around strategic product groups that share common technology, manufacturing and product platforms and customer sets. The groups are photography, health imaging, commercial imaging and a components group that includes organic light-emitting diode displays, imaging sensor solutions and optical products for other manufacturers. Each has its own R&D organization, but there's also a corporate R&D group that works with new technologies that have wide applications.

ISCDP, which is part of the corporate R&D organization, includes two or three days of lectures and labs each week. Kodak experts do the teaching, along with local university professors when needed. The engineer/students also participate in hands-on workshops led by experts from a variety of imaging science groups. The teachers may become resources to the engineers if needed in the future. "The engineers are automatically developing a reference list of people they can turn to for help with their own project assignments," says Lacek.

The curriculum includes sessions on project management, leadership and communications skills, as well as technical subjects like traditional silver halide emulsion technology and digital technology.

The engineers spend their working hours in two one-year rotations in Kodak divisions. They often work in the divisions' R&D groups. "Skills and ideas are shared between the groups," says Stephanie Street, director of human resources for R&D. "The participants and senior management have a lot of contact during the rotations." Each engineer works with management to define specific learning and time goals, both short and long term.

Stephanie Street: "The participants and senior management have a lot of contact during the rotations."

Most of the engineers are EEs or computer engineers. Chemical and material science engineers, plus physics and math graduates are also eligible. There's room for an occasional ME. "A lot of simulation work gets done," says Lacek. The company accepts twenty to twenty-five applicants for the program from the thousands of new-grad applications that come in each year.

The company's global diversity office partners with the program to help recruit diverse candidates. Recently, each ISCDP class has been about half women and half minority engineers. They are actively recruited from key schools and through national minority technical conferences and career fairs. "We distribute literature and offer technology demonstrations to expose candidates to the opportunities, the value and the benefit of the program to the individual," says Lacek.

CTO Jim Stoffel personally gives presentations on ISCDP. "He gives it a corporate level of interface and reinforcement," says Street.

All ISCDP graduates get jobs somewhere within Kodak. "At the end of the two-year program, we match their interests with our needs," says Lacek. Several grads now hold positions as group leaders and project managers. The assistant to the R&D director, for example, is an ISCDP graduate. Two-thirds of the program's grads are still with Kodak.

Kodak also offers a sister program in manufacturing. This program allows new engineers to design their own educational and career development plans.

Kodak also offers traditional internships/co-op programs in technical disciplines in organizations across the company. The program recruits alongside the ISCDP at minority events.

Engineers may also be hired directly into specific jobs. The company looks for specific skills such as expertise in organic light-emitting diodes, nano-technology and hardware design to support a current technology or develop a future one. Candidates often have advanced degrees and experience, especially in digital technology, and many have experience in related industries. "We're looking for individuals with the skills and competencies to take the design to commercial uses," says Street.

Once hired, Kodak engineers, along with other Kodak employees, get support from employee-run networks that include every major ethnic group, women, veterans, people with disabilities, and even one for new hires. That group targets anyone who has been at the company for less than three years.

Eastman Kodak Company www.kodak.com Headquarters: Rochester, NY Employees: 39,000 U.S. 70,000 worldwide Revenues: $12.8 billion (2002 net sales) Business: Photography and imaging technology

Because many new hires come from places other than Rochester, the networks help them connect with the community. New employees from Puerto Rico face special challenges adjusting to the mainland. "The networks offer them opportunities to partner with folks who share similar traits such as age or background," says Street.

The affiliation networks also provide career mentoring. "The Women's Forum has an excellent and popular career mentoring program," says Lacek.

Networking within ISCDP is very strong. "They get involved in social activities like camping, hiking, canoeing and other sports," Lacek says. Some programs are company sponsored. Others rely on community resources. New ISCDP engineers learn about company resources during monthly breakfast meetings. The Alumni Roundtable reunites program graduates. "They stay connected well beyond the program," Lacek says.

"ISCDP provides a nice transition for recent engineering graduates within the industry," says Lacek. Giving the brightest young engineers access to the latest technology, supported by education from the engineers and scientists already working in the field, results in success for all.

D/C