In InDemandDemand Careers in Advanced Manufacturing · T O O F C R A Y O N S: W I L L I A M T H O M A S C A I N / G E T T Y I M A G E S AAdvanced Manufacturing invents and creates

InDemandInDemandInDemand

Put Your Career in GearJoin the innovativepeople who arecreating the productsof the future.

Connecting today’s students with the careers of tomorrow Issue 3

Careers in Advanced Manufacturing

In Demand | 1

You may be interested to know that the answers to these questions lie in the advanced manufacturing processes used to develop new materials, semiconduc-

tors, metals, and fabrics. You may not realize it, but almost everythingyou touch throughout the day involves manufacturing, including thismagazine! Want to learn more? This publication will tell you all aboutthe advanced manufacturing industry, and it might give you an ideafor a future career. It talks about what you need to learn and do to getyour first great job. Do you want a job in the areas of design, production,process development, quality assurance, health and safety, supply chainlogistics, or maintenance and repair? No problem! There are lots of ca-reers in all of these areas of advanced manufacturing…and they pay well.

I’m Emily Stover DeRocco, Assistant Secretary of Labor forEmployment and Training, and I run the federal agency that helpsAmerican workers find rewarding jobs, and get the education and train-ing they need to succeed. Since you will soon be part of the work force,the U.S. Dept. of Labor’s Employment and Training Administrationwants you to have this publication. It will let you know what this indus-try is all about and how you can build a successful future in it.

There’s a lot of great information in here! Please read it, and sharewhat you find with your parents, teachers and guidance counselor.They can help you find the right college or university to study for a

career in advanced manufacturing, or the right apprenticeship program togain skills and job experience!

So what’s In Demand? You are! Your knowledge…your curiosity… and yourskills are all In Demand—and so are the many high-growth jobs that you willlearn more about in this publication. Also, look for future copies of In Demandthat tell you about great careers in other fields such as health care.

The sky is the limit! Put your career in gear, focus on assembling yourknowledge and skills so that you can begin to manufacture a successful future!

Emily Stover DeRoccoAssistant Secretary of Labor

Assistant Secretaryof Labor Emily

Stover DeRoccohelps workers build

successful careers.

Are you a challenge junkie who enjoys solving problems?Do you like robotics, computers, and other advancedequipment? Do you ever wonder things like…What makesa ski jacket waterproof? How is it that computers are gettingsmaller and lighter, yet faster and smarter? What makes asurfboard float and a wet suit warm? Why are some carssafer than others? How does an iPod really work?

Dear Student:

4 The Amazing Worldof ManufacturingAdvanced manufacturinginvents and creates theproducts people need andwant. Virtually everythingwe use on a daily basis ismanufactured.

6 Think Robotics, NotWrenches in AdvancedManufacturingThe advanced manufactur-

ing industry needs workers,

and it pays well. Your guide

to what’s out there and how

much you can earn.

2 | www.careervoyages.gov

Contents

10 MACHINE OPERATOR

11 ROBOTICS OPERATOR

11 OPERATIONS MANAGER

12 ENGINEER

13 PHARMACEUTICAL PROCESS ENGINEER

13 PROCESS TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER

14 PLASTICS FABRICATOR

15 ELECTROMECHANICAL EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN

16 HEALTH AND SAFETY ENGINEER

17 PROCESS CONTROL TECHNICIAN

18 FIXTURE DESIGNER

19 FOOD INSPECTOR

20 METAL FABRICATOR

21 MACHINE TOOL TESTER

AdvancedManufacturingIndustry ProfilesPeople join the industry in manyways and have a varietyof jobs to pick from.Workers in 14 differentcareer paths tell whythey chose advancedmanufacturing andwhat they hope toachieve.

InDemandCareers in AdvancedManufacturing

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOREmily Stover DeRoccoGardner E. CarrickKatherine A. AllenMichael JaffeDan AustellRachel CowgillDenise KennedyMonte Lutz

THE MCGRAW-HILL COMPANIES EDITOR-IN-CHIEFElana A. Shippen

EDITORIAL DIRECTORJanice L. Tuchman

MANAGING EDITORWilliam J. Angelo

PUBLICATION DESIGNMitch Shostak, Shostak StudiosCorey KuepferAnna Egger-Schlesinger

ART and PRODUCTIONSue Pearsall

WRITERSHousley CarrCarrie McGourtyTom NicholsonOtis PortLia SteaklyPat Toensmeier

PHOTO EDITORJackie DiMitri

INDUSTRY ANALYTICS AND ALLIANCESHarvey M. Bernstein

GOVERNMENT & BUS. DEV. MANAGERJames Kerr

EDUCATION ADVISORSCharlotte Frank, McGraw-Hill EducationCathy Scruggs, Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

BUSINESSWEEK ADVISORAdam Aston

MANUFACTURING, DISTRIBUTIONMichael VincentTed FreedmanKathy Lavelle

CIRCULATIONMaurice Persiani

FINANCIAL DIRECTORIke B. Chong

PUBLISHERMark Kelly

GROUP EDITORIAL DIRECTORRobert Ivy

GROUP PUBLISHERJames H. McGraw IV

Published for the U.S. Department ofLabor by McGraw-Hill Construction,Norbert W. Young Jr., FAIA, President; andGlencoe/McGraw-Hill, Steven E. McClung,President. McGraw-Hill Construction andGlencoe are units of The McGraw-HillCompanies.

Digital versions of InDemand can bedownloaded from careervoyages.gov

InDemand was written and produced by The McGraw-Hill Companies under contract to theU.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration. No official endorsementby the U.S. Department of Labor of any product, group, commodity, service or enterprise men-tioned in this magazine is intended or should be inferred.

28 Resource GuideHow to contact organizations that can help youget started in advanced manufacturing careers.

30 Achieving SuccessTips for counselors, teachers, and parentshelping students understand advanced manufacturing careers.

22 How Nanotechnology is ChangingAdvanced ManufacturingA technological revolution, called nanotech-nology, which is the ability to assemble things from individual molecules, is transforming manufacturing.

24 Start-Ups Spell SuccessSome people simply don’t want to work forsomebody else. For those with an entrepre-neurial spirit, opportunities are vast.

U.S. Department of Labor

Cover Illustration by Mick Wiggins

26FunFactsHow long does it take tomake jelly beans? Howare CDs manufactured?When and where wastoilet paper first manu-factured?...and more.

products are part of everyday life becauseadvanced manufacturing techniques makethem reliable, affordable and available.

Advanced manufacturing also plays amajor role in creating solutions for a va-riety of problems. Hybrid cars that re-duce pollution and conserve energy;implantable medical devices that im-prove health care; and special airtightpackages to keep perishable foods fresh,

are only a few examples of the challengesadvanced manufacturers tackle.

What makes manufacturing so versa-tile is technology. Advanced manufactur-ing applies cutting edge concepts inelectronics, computers, software and au-tomation to improve production. In thepast 10 years, the use of computer sys-tems and software to monitor and con-trol processes in large and small plants

has led to increased product quality andproductivity. Communications technolo-gy has increased the ability of engineersand plant managers to check on opera-tions—even if it’s halfway around theworld. Systems can be set up to transmitdata on how much material is beingused, how machines are running and ifproblems are occurring. The ultimate ex-ample of what can be achieved is “lights-out manufacturing,” which allows ahighly automated plant to be run bycomputers and robots, with minimal in-volvement by skilled human operators.

These high-tech capabilities let engi-neers create more exciting products thanwere possible just a few years ago. Oneexample of this can be seen in electronicdevices like cell phones and digitalrecorders, which are getting smaller and


Crayons in a packing machine

ManufacturingTHE AMAZING WORLDOF

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AAdvanced Manufacturing invents and creates theproducts people need and want. Whether it isclothing, cell phones, computers or automobiles,CDs and DVDs, food and drink, athletic gear, med-icine or cosmetics, virtually everything we use on adaily basis is manufactured. These and many other

less expensive, yet have more and morefeatures built into them. This is possiblebecause of the miniaturization of circuit-ry, and the use of “clean” assembly tech-niques that prevent contamination ofsensitive components.

One firm working on a project that’ssure to be hailed as “good manufactur-ing” is the Boeing Co., Seattle, which isusing a special material in its new 787 air-liner that is lighter and stronger thanmetal. Called carbon-graphite compos-ites, the material will prolong the life of apassenger airplane and reduce theamount of fuel it uses. The groundbreak-ing design could be a glimpse at the waypassenger jets will be made in the future.One reason Boeing can build this air-plane is because its engineers developedtechniques for manufacturing large sec-tions of it from composites.

One technology that could change theauto industry dramatically is fuel cells.Some car manufacturers plan to havefuel-cell-powered vehicles on the road by2010. Fuel cells combine oxygen and hy-drogen to create an electrical current thatdrives an electric motor. And pollutionwill not be an issue; all you’ll ever see iswater vapor!

Manufacturing encourages creativityand analytical thinking. It is an areawhere ideas can be tested almost imme-diately, and where one person’s inspira-tion may lead to a major productbreakthrough. For these reasons, stu-dents who want a career that is meaning-ful, exciting and rewarding, shouldconsider advanced manufacturing.Whether a student’s interest lies in

production, engineering or designing,experts say there will be plenty ofdemand in coming years for qualifiedcandidates—girls as well as boys.

A recent study released by theNational Association of Manufacturersand the Manufacturing Institute, reportsthat 81% of American manufacturers saytheir biggest problem is finding qualifiedworkers. If this problem isn’t fixed, thereport states it will impact our nation’seconomic well-being.

The Manufacturing Institute recom-mends that students take math and sci-ence courses starting in middle school as

manufacturing is technologically driven.Computer programming skills should bestudied as well, notes Ron Ross, vice presi-dent of employee relations at BattenfeldGloucester, Gloucester, Mass., due to theimportance of computer-aided design,engineering and manufacturing programs(known as CAD/CAE/CAM) in productdevelopment and machine tool operation.

For students with a firm grounding inthe sciences, the opportunities are vast.When it comes to manufacturing, saysStefan Skibicki, Jr. of Lockheed Martin,Orlando,“we are only limited by ourimaginations.”

facturing

Advanced manufacturing creates some of the highest-paying,

skilled jobs in the workforce.

By Pat Toensmeier

In Demand | 5

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The fact is that the new breed of advanced manufacturers—thatmake everything from computers to mountain bikes to jetparts—can’t find enough trained people to hire!

“All the boring manufacturing jobs already have been out-sourced” to other countries, says Dan Conroy.“The jobs that arestill here are the best ones. The jobs using the latest technology—lasers, micro-machining, and nanotechnology.”

Conroy should know. He’s the human resources director atthe Nexen Group. Nexen’s plant in Webster, Wis., uses high-techequipment to make industrial equipment that is sold aroundthe world.

Conroy says that finding trained people for Nexen’s good-paying jobs is hard work. “It doesn’t make sense, because theseare really good jobs. It’s just that people don’t know that thereare awesome career opportunities in advanced manufacturing.”

According to the Washington, D.C.-based ManufacturingInstitute, an individual who works in manufacturing will bepaid 22% more than the average U.S. worker.

Teamwork also rules at the Cannondale bicycle plant inBedford, Penn. Its 350 employees “work really closely together,trying to solve problems as they come up,” says Scott Collins,human resources supervisor. “We’re like family.”

The technology at our plant “runs from old-school to lasers,”says Collins. The company’s edge in the bike market is the levelof quality that is hard to get from overseas, he says. Perfect cuts

on frame tubing. Flawless welds. Smooth-as-silk gears.“We have some employees with high school diplomas, a lot

with two-year degrees, and some with four-year degrees. But nomatter what job you have here, you’re involved in quality con-trol. We want people who really care about their work, and whopay attention to the detail. That will make you or break you atCannondale,” says Collins.

Because so many of theworkers are into cycling in abig way, there’s an extra rushthat comes with the pay-check. “I welded for 10 yearsbefore taking the hiring gig,”says Collins. “Each bike getsthe stamp of the welder. Iknew that every bike I weldedwas going out into the worldwith my initials on it. There’sreal pride in that.”

Collins says that no matterwhere you work in manufacturing, you have to be comfortablewith computers. And it really helps to have at least a two-yeartechnical degree. A four-year degree is even better.

Technical schools, community colleges and universities ex-pose you to what the best companies are looking for. Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing. Robotics.Metrology—measuring the tiniest things. Equipment installa-tion and repair.

Education beyond high school also gives you a chance to getbetter at other stuff that really matters in manufacturing.“Things like creative thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving,”says Nettie Simon-Owens. She is the coordinator of workplaceservices at Danville Community College in Virginia, which of-fers an advanced manufacturing technology program. The pro-gram involves “applied learning,” says Simons-Owens. “There’s alot of hands-on work so that graduates can flow right into agood job, anxiety-free. (Well, almost.)”

“We work with Griffin Technical College” in Griffin, Ga., and

F

In Demand | 7

Forget what you’ve heard about manufac-turing jobs moving overseas. Sure, someof that’s happening. But if you’re onlycatching the bad news, you’re missing outon the good. Great career and entrepre-neurial opportunities abound.

Think Robotics,In Advanced Manufacturing! By Housley CarrNot Wrenches

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Photo left:The automobile industry relies on advanced manufacturing technology and high-tech workers to produce quality products.

some other schools, says Shane Sumner.He is the president and chief executiveofficer at Snapper, the lawnmower com-pany. Sumner runs a huge plant inMcDonough, Ga., that is three times asproductive as it was only 10 years ago.

Now, lasers cut the parts. Computerscontrol the steel-stamping presses androbots do the welding. All this happensunder the watchful eyes of trained peo-ple. The end result is a better lawnmower.

If you really want to go places in ad-vanced manufacturing, get an engineer-ing degree. Employers will be fightingover you come graduation, says CynthiaRedwine. She is the director of the CareerResources Center at the University ofMichigan’s School of Engineering.

“We get recruiters from companieslike Boeing, General Electric, Ford, andNorthrop-Grumman,” says Redwine. In2005, mechanical engineering graduatesgot jobs with average starting salaries of$52,150, she says. Stay on for a master'sdegree in manufacturing engineeringand you could start at about $70,000.

Even for an entry-level manufactur-ing worker, the pay is good. Accordingto the federal government’s Bureau ofLabor Statistics, the average hourly wage

for a production worker making trans-portation equipment was over $21 anhour in late 2005. That’s about $43,000 ayear—without overtime.

For someone making computers orelectronic equipment, the average wagewas almost $18 an hour. Steelmakersmake about the same. And it goes upfrom there.

Gain more work experience and con-tinue your education and you may findyourself a production control manager.They make an average of $76,000 peryear. What about a plant manager? Theymake an average of $109,000 per year.Thinking really big? A manufacturing ex-ecutive makes approximately $210,000.

“There are tons of jobs in advancedmanufacturing for those with education,training, and good work ethics,” saysConroy, from Nexen.“And the opportuni-ties to advance are great too. A career inadvanced manufacturing is really some-thing young people should think about.”


Average annual salaries foradvanced manufacturing staff

PAYDAYAssembler $32,900

Avionics Technician $46,570

Chemical Engineer $78,030

CNC Machine Operator $43,320

Cost Estimator $50,870

Drafter $47,300

Electrical Engineer $79,680

Electrician $41,760

Electromechanical Equipment Technician $39,580

Environmental Engineer $70,830

Fabric and Apparel Patternmaker $35,530

Industrial Engineer $67,820

Inspector $31,590

Precision InstrumentRepairer $46,400

Machine Setter & Operator $27,790

Manufacturing Engineer $65,230

Material Mover $31,350

Mechanical Engineer $71,110

Medical EquipmentTechnician $31,550

Metal Fabricator $31,260

Model Maker(Metal and Plastic) $45,520

Painter (TransportationEquipment) $36,980

Petroleum Engineer $92,840

Plant Manager $109,090

Plastics Fabricator $31,260

Printing Machine Operator $32,300

Safety Technician $39,300

Semiconductor Engineer $90,000

Tool and Die Maker $44,620

Welder $31,430CHART SOURCE: U.S. DEPT. OF LABOR, BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

There are tons of jobs in advanced manufacturing for those with education,

training and good work ethics. ”“

Want to hear the best soundtrack ata manufacturing-careers website?Tap your way to www.dreamit-doit.com. The site’s full of good info,

including a career quiz, videos of stuff beingmade, and a search engine to find thatperfect school. Well worth a visit. PH

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CIn Demand | 9

Career opportunities abound for all kinds of jobs in theadvanced manufacturing industry, with dozens of job ti-tles from manufacturing engineer, to robotics operator.There is something for everyone, from hands on (ma-chine operator) to high-tech (semiconductor engineer),to creative (design engineer), to scientist (pharmaceuti-cal researcher).Advanced manufacturing offers manykinds of work environments.You can work at a manu-facturing plant using your hands, in an office using com-

puters to design parts, doing research in a lab, or negoti-ating deals in a conference room.You can work for alarge firm or small start-ups, or even explore entrepre-neurial opportunities.We will detail 14 popular careerpaths in advanced manufacturing on the following pagesand answer some of the questions you may have.Whatdo the people who have these jobs do? Why are thesejobs important? How much money can you make?These stories could help you decide,“Is this job for me?”

There is something for everyone in the

Job titles range so broadly that you are only limited by your imagination

Advanced Manufacturing

IndustryAccount Executive 2 Assembler 2 Biochemist 2 Book Binder 2 Buyer 2 CAD Operator

Chemist 2 Computer Programmer 2 CNC MACHINE OPERATOR (10) 2 Contractor 2 Cost Estimator Customer Support Specialist 2 Designer 2 Die Maker 2 Drafter 2 Electrical Engineer 2 Electrician ELECTROMECHANICAL EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN (15) 2 ENTREPRENEUR (24) 2 Environmental Engineer Fabric and Apparel Patternmaker 2 Facilities Manager 2 Fashion Designer 2 FIXTURE DESIGNER (18)

Food Scientist 2 Graphic Designer 2 HEALTH AND SAFETY ENGINEER (16) 2 HVAC Technician INSPECTOR (19) 2 Instrument Repairer 2 Inventor 2 Industrial Engineer 2 MACHINE OPERATOR (10)

Machine Setter 2 MACHINE TOOL TESTER (21) 2 Manager 2 MANUFACTURING ENGINEER (12)Marketing Manager 2 Material Mover 2 Mechanical Engineer 2 METAL FABRICATOR (20)

OPERATIONS MANAGER (11) 2 Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician 2 Packaging Engineer 2 Packer 2 PainterPHARMACEUTICAL PROCESS ENGINEER (13) 2 Planner 2 Plant Manager 2 PLASTICS FABRICATOR (14)

Precious Stone and Metal Worker 2 Print Operator 2 PROCESS CONTROL TECHNICIAN (17)PROCESS TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER (13) 2 Quality Control Technician 2 Researcher

ROBOTICS OPERATOR (11) 2 Sales Representative 2 Scheduler 2 Scientist 2 Semiconductor Engineer Sewing Machine Operator 2 Shipping Clerk 2 Superintendent2 Supplier 2 Tool Maker 2 Welder 2 Woodworker


What will I do?Machine operators play amajor role in producing mosteverything we rely on everyday.They use machine tools,such as lathes, milling ma-chines, and spindles, to pro-duce parts. Many machines arecomputer numerically con-trolled (CNC). Machine opera-tors often plan the sequence ofwork, make the first produc-

tion run, and choose which ad-justments need to be made.Some machine operators spe-cialize in one or two types ofmachinery, but most aretrained to set up or operate avariety of machines. Workingon different types of machinesmakes the work more interest-ing, but also requires workersto have a wider range of skills.

What training will I need?Machine opera-tors need a goodknowledge ofthe machineryand the prod-ucts being man-ufactured. Mostemployers preferto hire appli-cants with goodbasic skills.

Many require employees tohave a high school educationand to read, write, and speakEnglish. Good communicationskills, mechanical aptitude,manual dexterity, and experi-ence working with machineryare also helpful. High schoolcourses in math, shop, com-puters, and blueprint readingare also very useful. Those in-terested in becoming machine

operators should be me-chanically inclined, able towork independently, andable to do highly accuratework that requires concen-tration and physical effort.

How can I get it?Machinists train in apprentice-ship programs, informally onthe job, and in high schools,vocational schools, or commu-nity or technical colleges. Manymachine operators learn theirskills on the job. Trainees beginby observing and assisting ex-perienced workers, sometimesin formal training programs.Eventually, they become re-sponsible for their own ma-

chines. Somecompanies haveformal trainingprograms formachine opera-tors. These pro-grams oftencombine class-room instruc-tion withon-the-jobtraining.

Q: How did you decide to become a CNCMachine Operator?

A: I was looking for a career that would offer variety,challenge, and growth opportunities. This job helpsme learn important technical skills, and working as aCNC machine operator gives me opportunities tomove within the industry. Many manufacturing com-panies use similar machines, which are operated au-tomatically rather than manually, and it provides mewith valuable, marketable skills.

Q: How did you get your current job? A: I worked at several manufacturing companies andtook technical classes such as welding. When I ap-plied for a job at Behlen Manufacturing, my previouswork experience and courses helped me land the job.

Q: What do you do in your job? A: I use different types of machinery to make parts.Each day, I receive a list showing the types and num-ber of parts that need to be made. I type in the partspecifications to adjust the machine’s settings. I getthe type of metal that is used to make the part, and Istart making them. I work on several types of ma-chines during each shift.

Q: Why do you like your job? A: There is never a dull moment in my job. There arelots of activities on the floor, and there is a lot of ca-maraderie between the operators. There is alwayssomething new and challenging.

What will I get paid?

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CHART SOURCE: U.S. DEPT. OF LABOR, BLS

Behlen Manufacturing, Columbus, Neb.

CNC Machine Operator

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Q: How did you decide to become arobotics operator electrician?A: After high school, I took a job on the production lineat the Ford plant to earn extra money for college. Thecompany offered an apprenticeship test and I decidedto take it. I scored high enough on the test and was of-fered an apprenticeship.

Q: How did you get your current job?A: The apprenticeship consisted of taking collegecourses and working a certain number of hours togain on-the-job experience. Ford sent me to college,where I took classes in electricity, math, electronics, in-dustrial electricity, and computers. I graduated in 2001and went back to work for Ford. Two years ago, Imoved to the body shop and began my current job.

Q: What do you do in your job?A: I am responsible for one of the robotics operationlines. I watch the line and fix any problems that maycome up. Sometimes a piece of material will get stuckon the welding robot while other times the metalparts aren’t bent right and the robots aren’t able tosee the parts and move them through the line. Robotsare unpredictable so anything could happen.

Q: Why do you like your job?A: The troubleshooting aspect is really interesting. Youhave to know how the stuff works because it can betricky when the problem isn’t as obvious as a brokenwire. I like working with robots and automation. I findit very interesting.

Q: What do you do?A: From a production standpoint, I am the voice ofSports Illustrated to the outside world. I give manu-facturing instructions to printing experts, and try toget the magazine printed in the most efficient waypossible. I talk with people in other departments tomake sure that enough paper is ordered for printing,and I make certain that it gets to the printing planton time. I also ensure that the magazines get fromthe trucks to the newsstands on time. We need tomake sure that we’re building well-constructedmagazines that can go out in a timely fashion, whilesaving Time Inc. money.

Q: What’s the best part of your job?A: Having the magazine at the end of the week.There’s a lot of work that goes into it beforehand—from the paper, color, the inserts, to the way themagazine is produced. It’s nice to be able to see yourwork at the end of the day.

Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?A: Working at a magazine as a manager or director.

Q: What’s so great about the printing world?A: It’s exciting to be part of the big world of publish-ing and production. You get to be part of making aproduct for a consumer to buy or read. And whetheryou realize it or not, you are part of the news.

Ford Motor Company, Kansas City, Mo.

Robotics Operator

Coty Weil, 29QA&

Sports Illustrated, Time Inc., New York, N.Y.

Assistant Operations Manager

Keith Kamel, 29QA&


What will I do?There are many differentbranches of engineering, suchas manufacturing, chemical,electrical, mechanical, aero-space, and industrial engineer-ing. Engineers rely strongly oncreativity, academic skills, andtechnology to solve problems.They use math, science, andcomputers to model real lifesituations and design newproducts. Most engineering

work is easy to recognize—computers, airplanes, snowboards, televisions, largebuildings, DVDs, and cars.Engineers need to stay up-to-date with new technologiesbecause they are responsiblefor making sure that their de-sign can be built easily, easilyinstalled and maintained,functions properly, and is nottoo expensive to produce.

Whattrainingwill I need?A bachelor’s de-gree in engineer-ing from afour-year uni-versity is re-quired foralmost all entry-level engineer-ing jobs. It’s

necessary to study math, sci-ence, English and writing.Engineers spend a great deal oftime writing reports and con-sulting with other engineers,so communication skills areimportant.

How can I get it?The U.S. is renowned for itsengineering schools. Bachelordegree programs typically takefour years. In a typical cur-

riculum, the first twoyears are spent studyingmath, basic sciences, in-troductory engineering,humanities, and socialsciences. In the last two

years, most courses are in en-gineering, usually with a focusin one branch. It is also a goodidea to participate in an engi-neering internship while incollege. It offers you a chanceto apply classroom knowledgeto a work situation.

What will I earn?Starting salaries are higherthan many other jobs. A recentsurvey found that engineers

with bachelor’sdegrees and lessthan a year’s ex-perience earnedover $43,000.Depending onexperience anddiscipline,salaries rangefrom $40,000 tomore than$100,000 a year.

Q: What does Boeing do?A: Boeing is the world’s leading aerospace companyand the largest manufacturer of commercial jetlinersand military aircraft, with capabilities in rotorcraft,electronic and defense systems, missiles, satellites,launch vehicles and advanced information and com-munication systems.

Q: What’s a typical day at the office for you?A: On a typical day, I work with a diverse group ofpeople to solve a problem or build a product. I workwith aerospace technology to develop high-qualityassemblies that make it possible to put an airplanetogether easily and efficiently on the factory floor,and I always keep manufacturing in mind.

Q: What do you like about your job?A: I face new challenges every day and I get to workwith people from around the world. One moment I’llbe meeting with an airline customer and the nextminute I’ll be talking to a mechanic on the floor.There are exciting technologies that go into buildingan airplane and I like being part of this process.

Q: What would interest others about your job?A: Putting an airplane together is an amazing experi-ence. Watching the final assembly and then seeingthe airplane fly away is incredible. Plus, there aremany opportunities to work with new technology.


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In Demand | 13

Q: How did you start out in your career?A: I graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with aB.S. in Chemical Engineering. I started with Bristol-Myers Squibb in June 2004 as a process supervisor inour bulk pharmaceutical pilot plant. In this role, Imade the active ingredients for drugs to be used inclinical trials. Then I became involved in transitioninga process that was created in the laboratory to a larg-er scale in our pilot plant. I was in charge of setting upthe process, managing the process and operators, andensuring that we created a quality product.

Q: What are you working on now?A: Currently, I’m working on the qualification, valida-tion, and start up of our sterile filling facility. In this facility we will make clinical supplies of injectabledrugs. This facility also has an advanced process con-trol and data collection system.

Q: Why do you like your job?A: It’s wonderful to go to work every day knowing thatwhat I am doing and the drugs I’m creating will helpsomeone feel better.

Q: How did you decide to work in thesemiconductor field? A: I pursued this job for several reasons. I was inter-ested in physics and electronic devices, and there is avery high demand for well-educated engineers inthis industry. The U.S. is a great place to study to be-come a semiconductor engineer and there are manyexcellent opportunities for work.

Q: How did you get your current job?A: I graduated from university in China with a degreein polymeric materials. I worked as a professor for twoyears before coming to the U.S. I completed two mas-ter’s degrees in materials science and in microelectron-ics manufacturing. I then began working on mydoctorate degree in microsystems engineering. Iworked on a research project that caught the atten-tion of my current employer, Intel Corp., and when I fin-ished my doctorate, I was offered my job.

Q: What do you do in your job?A: I mostly work with new technologies in the lab. Iresearch and experiment with materials. SometimesI use a computer to do design simulations. My workis a key step in integrated circuits manufacturing.

Q: Why do you like your job?A: My job is full of challenges. No two days are alike.Everyday, I face a new challenge and that keeps mywork exciting and interesting.

Bristol-Myers Squibb, New Brunswick, N.J.

Pharmaceutical Process Engineer

Danyelle Sinclair, 23QA&

Intel Corp., Santa Clara, Calif.

Senior Process Technology Development Engineer

Yongfa Fan, 35QA&



The Board Factory, Melbourne, Fla.

Surfboard Maker/Entrepreneur

Q: What is your job?A. I am the co-owner of The Board Factory. We makesurfboards from expanded polystyrene foam, coatthem with fiberglass cloth and epoxy resin, decoratethem with artwork, then sell them. We just openedour business, but and it’s going really well. As the co-owner, I am also involved in running the businessand hiring workers.

Q: Where did you get your training?A. I learned by working with other surfboard shapersand gradually mastered the process. I also worked fora guy who built racing boats out of composite materi-als and learned about the different materials involvedin plastic fabrication. I’ve brought a lot of what Ilearned there into my work as a surfboard maker.

Q: Why did you choose your job?A. I love surfing and I wanted to learn how to makemy own surfboards. I learned the skills I needed overtime and began making my own boards. My friendEd Sixberry and I decided to go into business togeth-er and see if we could make it work. For me, doing ajob related to surfing is ideal because there is alwaysa beautiful ocean nearby.

Q: What are your goals for the future?A. I want to continue developing this business andsee how far we can take it. I have also developed myown board design using a fiberglass composite ma-terial that I learned about from the racing boat tech-nology, and I want to continue to develop that.

Josh Williams, 28

What will I do?It would be nearly impossibleto list all the things that plas-tic fabricators create. You cansee their work everywhereyou look. They make the plas-tic and composite parts thatare used on everything fromairplanes to the soles of yourshoes, and all the things inbetween. Many plastic fabri-

cators use different kinds ofsynthetic compounds andwork with high-tech machines in plants that manufacture products for just about every industry in the world.

How andwhere can I get mytraining?You can start acareer in plasticsmanufacturingin a variety ofdifferent ways.Many plasticfabricators startout with on-the-

job training. More formaltraining is available by enrolling in industrial artsprograms at technical andcommunity colleges, pursuingan engineering or manufactur-ing degree at four-year univer-sities, or by completing anapprenticeship program at ashop or trade union.

How much will I earn?Plastic fabricators canwork for an annualsalary, or for anhourly wage. Theamount a plastics fabricator can earnvaries by region, typeof work, or level ofexperience. Someearn entry-levelwages and gradually

increase their pay over time asthey learn additional skills andadvance within their compa-nies. Those who start out bygetting a college degree can expect higher pay, often takingsalaried positions throughoutthe manufacturing industry.

Apprenticeshipprograms allowstudents to earnan entry-levelhourly wagewhile theystudy. Workingwith a union or firm alsoprovides greathands-on expe-rience.

PlasticsFabricator

Plastics fabricatorsmake the plastic andcomposite parts thatare used on every-thing from airplanesto the soles of yourshoes, and all thethings in between.

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What will I do?Electromechanical equipmenttechnicians install, maintain,troubleshoot, and repair awide range of computer-driv-en manufacturing or auto-matic control equipment.

They must understand basicelectronics and computer op-erating systems in order towork with a wide variety ofequipment, systems, andmanufacturing processes.

They use computerizedequipment to calibrate or getdata from electrical meters todiagnose prob-lems. They mayalso help installand maintainpower line equip-ment and sys-tems. The mainpart of the job isassessing prob-lems withelectromechani-cal relays.

Sometimes, they need to disassemble the relay systemto determine what needs tobe repaired. Once theelectromechanical relay is re-paired, they will have to re-assemble it.

What trainingwill I need?Most companies re-quire a minimumtwo-year college de-gree. Related workexperience is alsovery helpful.

How can I get the requiredtraining?Many communitycolleges offer pro-

grams that combine class-room instruction withnecessary hands-on experi-ence. Basic skills learned inhigh school technical classesalso help provide a founda-tion for learning the requiredskills. Courses in industrialautomation, computer pro-

gramminglanguages, andelectrical prin-ciples, amongothers, are es-pecially help-ful. Oncehired, manycompaniesprovide addi-tional on-the-job training.

Q: How did you decide to become anElectromechanical Equipment Technician?A. I have always found electricity fascinating. I startedout by studying networking, but after taking a class inelectronics, I liked it so much that I switched my major.

Q: How did you get your current job?A. I graduated from Texas State Technical Collegewith a degree in Automation Robotics Technology. Itook courses in electrical principles, solid state de-vices, industrial automation, and various program-ming languages. I learned how to use lathes, mills,and other equipment. Most of my classes involvedlab work, which really helped me understand the les-sons. My classes in relays and how to set them up toform a logic circuit as well as courses on using handtools were also very helpful.

Q: What do you do in your job?A. I perform daily functional tests of relays on electro-mechanical equipment.The relays are tested periodical-ly as part of a preventive maintenance schedule.Sometimes the relays fail in service and I have to trouble-shoot the relaying scheme to identify the problem. I alsoclean, perform tests, and calibrate different types ofelectromechanical relays.These tasks require knowl-edge of assembling machines, systems, and devices.

Q: Why do you like your job?A. My job is very diverse and I get to do differentthings each day. I may be testing relays one day, andinstalling a new relaying scheme another. I like troubleshooting relaying schemes and using myknowledge of basic electrical principles and readingelectrical diagrams. I like to study the logic and findout why something is malfunctioning. I enjoy thefeeling of identifying a problem and correcting it. Itgives me a rush!


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Electromechanicalequipment techni-cians must under-stand basicelectronics and com-puter operating sys-tems in order to workwith a wide variety ofequipments, systems,and manufacturingprocesses.

ElectromechanicalEquipmentTechnician


American Electric Power, Tulsa, Okla.

Electromechanical Equipment Technician

Adam Lowther, 22QA&



Pitney Bowes Management Services, Shelton, Conn.

Health and Safety Team Leader

Q: What does your company do?A. We handle several large customers who do thesame things we do, print and insert mail.We do theirjobs for them in case of an emergency or a natural dis-aster. For example, we handled a lot of printing for theFederal Emergency Management Agency during theHurricane Katrina disaster. Many people needed helpafter the hurricane so we printed and mailed millionsof loan applications and letters of solicitation.

Q: What do you do as a safety team leader?A. I’m the chair of our safety committee, and mymain responsibility is to coordinate ways to makesure that our safety policies are followed. We haveprint, insertion and warehouse teams. We have tomake sure that the manufacturing equipment thatour operators use is safe. I keep a record, daily orweekly logs, of all our inspections.

Q: How did you enter this career path?A. I started as a paper cutter nine years ago, andfrom there I worked my way up into network opera-tions. It didn’t happen overnight. I don’t have a col-lege degree but that hasn’t been a detriment. Istayed focused and I learned continuously.

Q: What’s the best part of your job?A. I love that my job is diverse. My primary responsi-bility is to operate our printing equipment but I amalso responsible for safety. I really like multi-tasking!

Brandon Farrison, 32

What will I do?Health and safety engineersmake sure that a workplace issafe. They inspect manufac-turing plants, machinery andequipment to prevent in-juries or accidents. For acompany that deals with bigmachinery such as printingpresses or oil rigs, they en-

sure that workers aren’t putat risk on their job and thatenvironmental standards arefollowed. They also coordi-nate worker training to guar-antee that safety laws andregulations are followed, andreview safety programs.Health and safety engineersalso investigate accidents todetermine causeand prevention.

Whattrainingwill I need?Health and safe-ty engineersneed to have aworking knowl-edge of safetyand environ-

mental laws. They must beable to communicate prob-lems and solutions to workersand employers. They mustalso be creative, pay attentionto details, possess good leader-ship skills and have concernfor others. Most jobs in thisarea require a four-year col-lege degree. Some do not.

How can I get it?You can study safety,industrial or generalengineering at afour-year universityand earn a bache-lor’s degree. Youshould also consideran internship. Onceyou are hired, you

can expect on-the-job train-ing from experienced engi-neers to help prepare you foryour work.

How much will I earn?In 2002, the median salariesreceived by health and safetyengineers were $58,010 annu-

ally. The middle50% receivedsalaries, whichlay between$46,580 and$71,980. Thelowest 10%earned below$37,230 whilethe highest 10%earned above$87,250.

Health&SafetyEngineer

Health and safety engineers inspectmanufacturingplants, machineryand equipment toprevent injuries oraccidents.

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What will I do?Process control techniciansmake sure that products aremanufactured consistentlyand according to their origi-nal design. They ensure thatthere is no variability fromone part to the next on the as-sembly line. They install, set

up, and service the electronicand computerized equipmentthat control machines andproduction processes in man-ufacturing plants. There aremany industries, such asclothing, transportation,paper products, chemical, andelectronic device manufactur-ing, that need process controltechnicians.

What training do I need?Process controltechnicians needto have a techni-cal understand-ing of how thingsare manufac-tured. They alsoshould be good atmath and sci-ence, enjoy work-ing with

electronics and computers,have a knack for repairingthings and like to solve prob-lems. They need to be able towork well with others, and beable to multi-task.

How can I get it?Requirements for becoming

a process controltechnician vary de-pending on the in-dustry. In manycases, you will needa high school diplo-ma or a GED, and atwo-year certificatefrom a college ortechnical school

with a focus in manufactur-ing processes. For very tech-nical fields, you will need aBachelor of Science degreefrom a four-year university.

What will I get paid? The average starting wagesfor an entry-level job as aprocess control techniciancan range from $20,000 to$30,000 per year. With more

experience,process con-trol techni-cians canearn in excessof $50,000per year.

Q: What do you do as a footwear line builder?A. I design and assist in developing and manufac-turing lines of shoes for Chinese Laundry, which is abrand of fashion footwear for young women. It’s myjob to help design shoes and then make sure they’remanufactured according to the design.

Q: How involved are you with themanufacturing process?A. I research colors and materials for new lines offootwear, and meet with salespeople and buyers inthe industry. I do technical sketching of the shoes,and define the details so that prototypes can bemade. I also work with the manufacturing staff tomake sure that the prototype shoes match theoriginal design. I spend part of the year travelingoverseas for my job.

Q: What is the best part about your job?A. The best part has to be traveling to differentcountries, meeting new people, and checking outnew fashion trends. More importantly, it’s amazingto see my designs being produced, worn by famouscelebrities, and published in magazines.


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Process control technicians need tohave a technical understanding ofhow things aremanufactured.

ProcessControlTechnician

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Cels Enterprises, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif.

Footwear Line Builder

Qimei He, 26QA&



Hanger Orthopedic, Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.

Prosthetist

Q: What do you do as a prosthetist?A. I fabricate, fit, and clinically manage prostheticsfor amputees. I scan the patient and create a socketmold (or prototype), which is then sent to a techni-cian for fabrication. I then fit the prosthetic to thepatient.

Q: Why did you want to pursue this career?A. When I was in the eighth grade, I went to theParalympics. I knew I wanted to go into the medicalfield, so when I saw the athletes being fitted for theirprosthetics, it really sparked my interest. From there,I studied kinesiology in college, completed a few in-ternships, and then got my prosthetic certification. Ilove my job at Hanger Orthopedic.

Q: What sort of skills do you use on the job?A. I work with many tools throughout the day anduse my hands quite a bit too. I also use 3D computerprograms, such as CAD/CAM, to design the socketmold. I need to learn how to use different materialsbecause heat and cold will affect the prosthetic.

Q: What do you love about your work?A. As a prosthetist, I get to help people walk again. Iwork with a lot of people who have lost their legs be-cause of a vascular disease, such as diabetes. I also workwith people who have lost their arms in traumatic acci-dents. I’m giving them back a way of life that they need,deserve, and should have. Everyday I leave my workthinking,“wow, I’ve really helped someone.”

Samantha Hoxie, 25

What will I do?Fixture designers create partsand models using an automat-ed process called rapid proto-typing. Rapid prototyping is atype of computer-aided manu-facturing that takes a 3Dgraphic image and turns it intoan identical physical model,which is usually made out of

plastic. Many industries userapid prototyping to makesure that a finished productwill work for a design. For ex-ample, a fixture designerworking on a truck will needto use rapid prototyping tocreate powertrain and trans-mission controlsto make surethat they actuallyfit in the vehicle.Fixture designerswork in manyfields includingaerospace, auto-motive, medical,and industrial.

What training will I need?Fixture designers need goodproblem solving, communica-tion, and teamwork skills.Software and machine knowl-edge and a good understand-ing of various materials is alsoimportant. High school stu-dents interested in a career in

rapid prototypingand fixture designshould take classes inmath, science, andEnglish.

How canI get it?Some positions mightrequire a Bachelor ofScience degree in en-gineering or a relateddiscipline. Othersmight require an as-sociate degree from a

two-year college or technicalschool. Rapid prototypingsoftware, such as CAD/CAM,can be learned at school orthrough on-the-job training. Itis also useful to have a career-related experience, such as an

internship, tohelp you landyour first job.

What will Iget paid?Salary in thisposition variesdepending onthe specific field,job, and educa-tion level.

FixtureDesigner

Rapid prototyping isa type of computer-aided manufacturingthat takes a 3Dgraphic image andturns it into anidentical physicalmodel, which isusually made outof plastic.

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What will I do?Every industry employs itsown types of inspectors.Inspectors in the food andbeverage industry make surethat products such as softdrinks, candy, and French friesmeet required quality stan-dards and are safe for people toconsume. They are often em-ployed by food processing

plants that use large machinesto process and produce hugequantities of food and bever-age for our consumption.

The federal governmentwants to make sure that thefood is safe, and federal em-ployees routinely inspect foodprocessing plants. Companieshave similar quality controlstandards in placeto make sure thatfood processingguidelines arebeing followed. Todo this, compa-nies hire inspec-tors to check foodas it travelsthrough the as-sembly line.Inspectors look

for any problems and workwith managers to make surecontaminated food doesn’t endup on grocery store shelves.

What training will I need and how can I get it?Food inspectors need to knowall the various types of con-tamination to look for. And

the inspections willbe different, depend-ing on what is beingmanufactured. Forinstance, food in-spectors dealing withperishable itemssuch as meat andmilk products willhave to test the tem-perature to make

sure the food hasn’t spoiled. Inother food processing plants,inspectors check for cleanli-ness and overall quality. Foodprocessing plants are usuallylarge and use lots of machin-ery. Sometimes, wood fibers orother contaminants fall intothe food. Food inspectors needto make sure that contaminat-

ed food is dis-posed ofproperlyrather thanpackaged andsold. The majority of in-spectors train-ing occursthrough com-pany on-the-job programs.

Q: How did you decide to become a foodpacker and inspector?A. I was working as a customer service representative ata recycled clothing company but I wanted a job that of-fered better pay and more opportunities for promotions.So, I started looking for a position in the manufacturingindustry. I was hired at J. R. Simplot about a year ago andfor two weeks I trained with a mentor to learn my job.Since then, I have been working on my own.

Q: What do you do in your job? A. I work packing and inspecting. Part of my day isspent in the packaging area where I package differ-ent foods, such as French fries. I also work as an in-spector. I check the food for anything thataccidentally gets in, such as wood fibers or pieces ofplastic.

Q: What do you like about your job?A. I like that I have a role in helping keep people safe.It’s ultimately my responsibility to make sure thatthe food isn’t dirty, spoiled, or otherwise contaminat-ed. I like that I have a job where I can learn new skillsthat help me grow and provide promotion opportu-nities. I also like the fact that I get to move aroundbetween stations.


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Food Inspectors areoften employed byfood processingplants that use largemachines to processand produce hugequantities of foodand beverage.

FoodInspector


J.R. Simplot Co., Nampa, Idaho

Food Packer/Inspector

Jessica Rodriguez, 19QA&



E.J. Ajax Co., Fridley. Minn.

Metal Fabrication Intern

Daniel McGee, 21

What will I do?You can thank metal fabrica-tors for creating many of thethings we use in our dailylives. They are the people whocut, form, and shape metals tomake parts for automobiles,household appliances, orthings we use for work andplay. Many metal fabricatorswork in plants or shops anduse different kinds of high-tech and computerized

machines to mass producepractically every kind of man-ufactured metal product.They fabricate and fit parts ofmetal structures, such asframeworks or shells for ma-chinery, and metal parts forbuildings and bridges. Theyuse lathes, press-es, and drills toproduce a vari-ety of metaltools and appli-ances. Somemetal fabrica-tors work inde-pendently andmanually createcustom parts fora variety of uses.

What kind of train-ing do I need andwhere can I get it?Community colleges, universi-ties, and apprenticeship pro-grams are all good places tostart a career in metal fabrica-tion. Schools offer degrees inmetal working and industrialarts, while apprenticeship pro-grams combine academicstudy with hands-on work ex-perience at manufacturing

plants. Education lev-els can range from afour-year college de-gree in manufactur-ing, or a four-yearapprenticeship at atrade union or pri-vate shop, to anAssociate degree inmetal technology at acommunity college.

Metal fabricators can also geton-the-job training at manu-facturing plants, learning thetrade while they work.

What will I earn?Most metal fabricators workfor an hourly wage, which can

vary by region,type of work, orlevel of experi-ence. Whilemany start atentry-levelwages and worktheir way up theladder othersstart with sometype of collegedegree.

MetalFabricator

Metal Fabricators cut,form, and shapemetals to make partsfor automobiles,household appliances,or things we use forwork and play.

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QA&Q: What is your job?A. I work in a metal fabrication shop as an internmaking metal parts. Right now, we are fabricatinghandcuffs, hinges, and metal framing. I use a lot ofdifferent tools, such as punch presses, forming press-es, drilling and tapping tools, and lathes.

Q: Where did you get your training?A. I am enrolled in the machine tool technology pro-gram at Minneapolis Community and TechnicalCollege, where we learn how to use many differenttypes of metal-working machines. We also learnmetallurgy, geometric tolerances, and a lot of mathlike algebra and trigonometry.

Q: Why did you choose this job?A. When I started looking for jobs, I knew I didn’twant to work in an office. Working in a metal shop isreal hands-on stuff and I really like that. There is aperception that people do blue collar jobs becauseit’s all they can do, but I disagree with that. This is theonly kind of work I want to do. The best part is that Iam always working on something different.

Q: What are your goals for the future?A. I want to become more experienced in all the dif-ferent metal fabrication fields and learn everythingthere is to know about this job. I may go on to collegenext year and earn a bachelor’s degree in industrialtechnology.

What will I do? Machine Tool Testers are re-sponsible for ensuring that ma-chine tools and parts meetrequired industry quality stan-dards. Sometimes, manufac-turing tools can malfunction,which leads to the production

of defective parts. To preventthat from happening, machinetool testers inspect parts as theycome off the assembly line.Many testing devices and ma-chines are used. Some devicesmight test the density, dimen-sion, or function of a tool.Machine tool testers are re-sponsible for completing thesetests and alerting managers ifthe tools fail to meet the de-sired standard. They oftenmonitor several different typesof parts and tools daily to en-sure that they allmeet top-qualitystandards.

What train-ing will Ineed? You will need ahigh schooldiploma or aGED to qualifyfor most machine

tool tester jobs. Once hired,the company will usually trainyou to do your specific job.Most companies also providerelated classes at work or at anearby community college.Mechanical aptitude, commu-nication skills, and good hand-

eye coordination andvision are very also veryhelpful for this posi-tion. Training for newinspectors may coverthe use of special me-ters and gauges, quali-ty-control techniques,blueprint reading, and

safety requirements. Also, sinceinspection equipment is be-coming more automated andthe test results are recordedelectronically, computer skillsare important.

How can I get it? Some of these skills can belearned by taking math andtechnical classes in highschool. Community collegesand apprenticeship programsoffered by companies or tradeunions are other possible

sources. Forthose lookingto advance tomore seniorpositions,training in sta-tistical processcontrol, newautomation, orquality assur-ance policiesare required.

Q: How did you decide to become a machine tool tester?A. After high school, I started working for ManPowerInc.—a company that supplies temporary workers toother companies.That allowed me to try out differentjobs for short periods of time.

Q: How did you get your current job?A. After working for four months as a temporary em-ployee for Trans-Matic in the sort-and-pack area, Iheard about an opening as a machine tool tester. Iapplied for the position and got it. Once I was hired, Itrained one-on-one with another machine tooltester for about two months. I also took several class-es in safety, quality production assurance, and othersubjects that were offered by Trans-Matic.

Q: What do you do in your job?A. My main job is to check the parts coming off thedifferent presses. I am responsible for up to six ma-chines making various types of metal products. Allparts coming off the machines are inspected visuallyfirst for any defects and then go through further in-spections in the company laboratory.

Q: Why do you like your job?A. I am the first line of defense against defects formy company’s products. Work hours fly by when youare racing between six different presses and check-ing all types of parts—automotive, plumbing, com-pressors, etc. And, that is fun and challenging!


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MachineToolTester


Trans-Matic Manufacturing Comp.Inc., Holland, Mich.

Machine Tool Tester

ShannonVenlet, 22QA&

Advanced manufacturing pro-vides a platform to make newdiscoveries and push technologyto higher levels. More than 60%

of all U.S. research and development isaimed at manufacturing, according to theNational Association of Manufacturers.

One exciting area is plastics. Ordinaryplastics are insulators, which is why exten-

sion cords are coated in them. But bychanging their conductive property, re-searchers envision creating paper-thinfilms that can turn entire walls into videoscreens. It could also create folding com-puter displays that could be stuffed into apurse or shirt pocket. Conductive-plasticcoatings could also turn roofs into solar-power generators. And clothes with con-

ductive textile fibers could generate juicefor cell phones, iPods, and similar gadgets!

The promise is so huge that re-searchers and scientists at most majorchemical companies are racing to developconductive plastics. One firm, KonarkaTechnologies Inc., in Lowell, Mass., hasalready produced prototype roofing ma-terials and fabric for Army tents that


NANOTECHNOLOGYPH

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By Otis Port

make electricity from sunlight.When might we see wall-size, paper-

thin displays? Perhaps next year, butmore likely in 2008. “It’s now only aquestion of when, not if,” says Richard D.McCullough, co-founder of Plextronics,Inc., Pittsburgh, and dean of CarnegieMellon University’s College of Science.

Materials science covers more thanplastics. Everywhere you look, a revolutionis brewing. By 2025 or so, the silicon chipsin today’s computers could be replaced bymaterials with phenomenal properties thatcould cram the punch of a supercomputer

into a box the size of an iPod!Recently, a research team at Emory

University uncorked a new form of plat-inum. This metal is used in catalytic con-verters to absorb pollution from carexhausts. The new compound may helpextract hydrogen from water. Cars thatrun on hydrogen instead of gasoline donot produce air pollution.

The key to these advanced materials isnanotechnology—the ability to tinkerwith materials at the molecular level.“Nano” comes from “nanometer.” That’sone-billionth of a meter (a meter is 39.4inches). How tiny is that? Well, if astrand of your hair were as wide as thelower 48 U.S. states, one nanometerwould be shorter than a football field!

With nanotech tools, researchers canprecisely tailor the properties of materialsfor specific jobs. They can create “magicmolecules” that do “crazy things,” accord-ing to Harold W. Kroto, a professor atBritain’s University of Sussex. He sharedthe 1966 Nobel Prize in chemistry as aco-discoverer of Buckminsterfullerene.Better known as the buckyball, this is acarbon molecule that looks like ananometer-size soccer ball.

Here are a few of the amazing things

that are happening in the nano world:GOLD: changes color, becoming an

intense red when shrunk to 30-nanometer particles. A wire made fromnano nuggets is 20 times stronger thanthe gold in a wedding ring.

GALLIUM: a metal used in light-emitting diodes (LEDs), melts at 86ºF.When whittled down to a nano clumpof only 39 or 40 atoms, gallium won’tmelt below 530ºF. Smaller 17-atom clus-ters remain solid up to 980ºF.

CARBON: the soft stuff in pencilsbecomes 100 times stronger than steel

when formed into nanotubes. These hol-low nano-size straws weigh only one-sixth as much as steel.

As nanotech moves from researchinto manufacturing, it will unleash ahost of astounding products, predictsKroto. Cars with engines, bodies, andtires made from nanotube mixturesmight be so light that they could go 400miles on a gallon of fuel.

Computer makers are developingchips with nanotube wires to boostperformance as much as 1,000 times.

Drug manufacturers are stuffing med-icine inside buckyballs. They are alsoplacing sensors on the outside so theywill hunt down and attack the cells orviruses responsible for illness.

Therics, Inc., Princeton, N.J., alreadyprints porous-ceramic implants for fix-ing damaged bones. The pores are justthe right size for natural bone to growinto and complete the repair. It’s a bravenew nano world!

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In Demand | 23

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2] Complex RP-made part

3] Planetary gear

1] Konarka light-activated power plastic

Photos from top to bottom:1) Tiny solar cells printed on plastic by

Konarka Technologies generate electricity.2) 3D model of industrial vacuum system

was printed by a Z Corp. inkjet printer.3) Concept of a futuristic planetary gear

assembled from individual atoms.

As nanotech moves from research into manufacturing, it will unleash

a host of outstanding products.

One reason is that most manufactur-ing is not done in huge plants with hun-dreds of workers. In fact, more than 90%of all manufacturers have fewer than 100employees, and over 50% have less than10 people. A good example is SiliconSolar Inc., an eight-person producer ofsolar-energy panels and solar-poweredoutdoor lighting. Located in Bainbridge,N.Y., the company was founded by AdamFarrell in 1999 when he was 15 years old.Annual sales have grown to $1 million.

Silicon Solar markets its products tothe public, but most small manufactur-ers do not. They sell only to other com-panies. New United Motor Manufac-turing Inc., which has a large factory inFremont, Calif. builds three vehicles—Toyota’s Corolla and Tacoma as well asPontiac’s Vibe. Under those hoods areparts and components from 1,000suppliers, mostly small, local manu-facturers.

Another reason is that a technologicalrevolution is rippling through advancedmanufacturing. Called Nanotechnology, itis the ability to assemble things from indi-vidual molecules. Officials at Lux ResearchInc., N.Y.C., predict that nanotechnologywill transform advanced manufacturing,everything from steel and plastics to phar-maceuticals and cosmetics to computersand semiconductor chips. Nanotech maynurture tomorrow’s manufacturing icons,just as electronics gave rise to IBM, Intel,

Motorola, and Texas Instruments.One pioneer is Nanosys Inc., Palo

Alto, Calif. This company is only fiveyears old and has fewer than 50 employ-ees. It has raised $125 million from in-vestors and nearly $15 million in federalcontracts and grants to help perfect a newtype of solar cell. Based on nanotechnol-ogy developed by chemists at HarvardUniversity, the solar cells will be printedon thin sheets of plastic. Soon, roofs maysport almost unnoticeable generators that


AAlthough manufacturingworkers earn nearly 25%more than the averageAmerican, some people sim-ply don’t want to work foranyone else. If you have thisentrepreneurial spirit, ad-vanced manufacturingholds more opportunitiesthan you may suspect.

More than 90% of all manufacturershave fewer than 100 employees, and over

50% have less than 10 people.

SUCCESSSTART-UPS SPELL

By Otis Port

Manufacturing alloy steels

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turn sunlight into electricity for a frac-tion of the cost of today’s solar cells.

Nanosys has more nanotech irons inthe fire. They include miniature chemicallaboratories for drug research and fuel-cell batteries for iPods and cell phonesthat don’t need recharging. Instead, fuelcells release the energy in a liquid fuelsuch as alcohol so they can be refilled.Nanosys already has big-name collabora-tors including Intel, DuPont, and SharpElectronics.

Many nano start-ups are now beingshowered with investor money, even firmscreated by students. Timbre TechnologiesInc., Santa Clara, Calif., was the brain-child of graduate students at theUniversity of California at Berkeley whodevised a better way to spot defects in theultra-tiny circuit lines on computer chips.They founded Timbre in 1999 and sold itin 2001 to Tokyo Electron Ltd.—for awhopping $138 million!

That’s hardly typical, of course. Formost manufacturing entrepreneurs,starting a business is a real struggle, and itnever ends.“Every day is rough when youown your own business, but for methere’s no other way,” says ChristopherCole, president of Cole & Co. This Dallasmaker of upscale bathroom vanities waslaunched in 2001. The venture is his firstin manufacturing, although he owns twoearlier start-ups—an advertising agencyand a homebuilding company. Apartfrom summer and part-time jobs inschool, Cole has never worked for anyoneelse.“Both my parents and my grand-parents were entrepreneurs,” says Cole,now 38.“It’s in my blood.”

Cole had the cash to launch Cole & Co.himself, but for entrepreneurs who don't,family and friends are the usual sources ofstart-up funds. Another is the Band ofAngels in California’s Silicon Valley. Itsmembers are so-called angel investors—wealthy people who are willing to bet$10,000 to $20,000 on a new company, de-spite the risk. They know that nine out often new ventures fail within five years.When more than $20,000 is needed, sever-

al angel investors often chip in.Most states and some cities have pro-

grams to help start new businesses orkeep them growing, as does the U.S. SmallBusiness Administration. Once a compa-ny gets past the initial start-up phase, ven-ture-capital firms stand ready to investmillions of dollars for part ownership.

Finally, despite reports to the con-trary, not all American manufacturing ismoving to other countries where work-ers earn lower wages. Japanese, Korean,and European car makers have all builtbig assembly plants in the U.S. Recently,a little plastics-molding company, 4-Sands Industries Inc. in Lebanon, Ohio,took on a large Chinese competitor andwon. “They couldn’t deliver parts withthe required quality,” says DaveSizemore, who started 4-Sands in 1997.

Still, it’s no secret that lots of manu-facturing jobs have been lost in recent

years. California now has 350,000 fewerfactory workers than in 2001. YetCalifornia still has 30,000 manufactur-ing and high-tech companies, whichgenerate $250 billion a year and employ1.5 million workers. It’s also home to ahugely successful start-up company:Haas Automation Inc., Oxnard, Calif.

Twenty-five years ago, Gene Haashad a five-person manufacturing shop.Last year, his privately-owned firm soldmore than 10,000 machine tools andraked in $600 million in revenues. Iteven exported 500 machines to China.

Advanced manufacturing entrepre-neurial hopefuls “should go see Gene,”says David Goodreau, chairman of theSmall Manufacturers Association ofCalifornia. “He finances his own equip-ment, and if he looks at you and sees tal-ent and determination, he’ll find a wayto get you the equipment you need.”

Christopher Cole

If you have an entrepreneurial spirit,advanced manufacturing holds moreopportunities than you may suspect.


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2.What products aremade from recycled plasticsoda and juice bottles? Answer: They are used tomake carpets, insulating materi-als in clothes and sleeping bags,auto parts, paintbrushes, andother things like tennis balls!

3.How are CDs manufactured?Answer: A Compact Disk, orCD, is a simple piece of injec-tion-molded clear plastic,about 1.2 mm thick. Once theplastic is formed, a thin, re-flective aluminum layer isplaced onto the disc followedby a thin acrylic layer to pro-tect it. The label is then print-ed onto the acrylic and theCD is finished. After the man-ufacturing process is com-plete, the CDs are ready formusic which can be down-loaded from any PC.

Fun FactsAbout Advanced Manufacturing

6.What is the largestmanufacturing industryin the world? Answer: The automobilemanufacturing industry.There are about 400 millioncars and light trucks in theworld today.

When and where was the first bicycle made?

Answer: 7 to 10 days! Once the center of the jelly bean, whichcontains its flavor is made, it has to be cooled completely beforeit can get the right color. The jelly beans then go through the“painting” process several times to get their color. After the jelly

beans are colored, they are first inspected by machines and then byhand to make sure that they are the right color and size. Finally, thejelly beans can be packaged and shipped.

How long does it taketo make jelly beans?1.

Answer: The first bicycle wasmade by Baron von Drais inGermany in 1817 and it wassimilar to a scooter. It was al-

most completely madeof wood. Riders

propelled it bypushing theirfeet againstthe ground.

7.4.How much paper isused in the U.S.eachyear? Answer: Americans useabout 187 billion pounds ofpaper a year.

5.How many 12-ouncesoft-drink bottles can befilled in one minute? Answer: 850 bottles!

10.How does an MRImachine work? Answer: An MRI machinecreates a magnetic fieldaround the patient’s body,sends radio waves throughthe body, and then measuresthe response with a comput-er. This creates a picture ofthe inside of the body sodoctors can determine thebest diagnosis and treat-ment.

11.What are nanoma-terials? Answer: Nanomaterials aretiny materials manufacturedatom by atom. A nanometeris one billionth of a meter—10 nanometers is 1,000 timessmaller than the diameter ofa human hair.

12.What are mostbackpacks made of? Answer: Many backpacksare made from synthetic fab-rics that are derived fromcoal and oil by-products.

When and where was toilet paper first invented?

What is acomputerchip?16.

Answer: A computer chip, also called a semiconduc-tor, is one of the smallest and most fragile productsin the world. Each chip has more than 5.5 milliontransistors inside it. A speck of dust, a bead of sweat,or a strand of hair on a chip would be like a dinosaurfootprint and could easily destroy the chip.

8.Answer: China…AD 1391,for use by the emperors.In 1890,The Scott PaperCompany in the U.S. wasthe first company to man-ufacture tissue on a roll,specifically for the use oftoilet paper.

9.What are micro-machines? Answer: Some micro-ma-chines are 1,000 times small-er than a human hair andcan travel through the arter-ies, cleaning out cholesterolas they go.

14.How many partsare there in a Boeing 747airplane?Answer: 6,000,000 parts,half of which are fasteners.At 31,285 cubic feet, the747-400 has one of thelargest passenger interiorvolume of any commercialairplane, which is equiva-lent to more than threehouses each measuring1,500 square feet.

15.What are thelargest products manufac-tured in the world? Answer: Ships. The KnockNevis is a supertankermeasuring 1,504 feet(over 1/4 of a mile) inlength and 226 feet inwidth, making it thelargest item manufacturedin the world. If the Eiffeltower was laid on its side,it could easily be carriedon the Knock Nevis.

13.What metal fre-quently used in manu-facturing is compatiblewith human tissue andused as a biomaterial toreplace human joints?Answer: Titanium is light,strong, corrosion resistant,and easily formed. It is alsoused in airplanes, missiles,and space shuttles.

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Dozens of professional organizations,government Websites and trade unionsexist to help you learn more about advanced manufacturing careers. Here isa sampling of resources to get you started.

Biomedical EngineeringSociety(301) 459-1999www.bmes.org

Board of Certified SafetyProfessionals(217) 359-9263www.bcsp.org

Electronic IndustriesAlliance(703) 907-7500www.eia.org

Federal AviationAdministration(866) 835-5322www.faa.gov/education

IEEE Computer Society(202) 371-0101www.computer.org

Independent ElectricalContractors(703) 549-7351www.ieci.org

Industrial Designers Societyof America(703) 707-6000www.idsa.org

Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers(212) 419-7900www.ieee.org

Institute of IndustrialEngineers(770) 449-0460www.iienet.org

Junior EngineeringTechnical Society (703) 548-5387www.jets.org

Manufacturing SkillsStandards Council(202) 429-2220www.msscusa.org

Minerals, Metals, &Materials Society(800) 759-4867www.tms.org

National Association forPrinting Leadership(800) 642-6275www.napl.org

American Institute ofAeronautics and Astronautics(703) 264-7500www.aiaa.org

American Institute ofChemical Engineers(800) 242-4363www.aiche.org

American Iron and SteelInstitute202.452.7100www.steel.org

American Society forEngineering Education(202) 331-3500www.engineeringk12.org

American Society for Quality(800) 248-1946www.asq.org

American Society ofMechanical Engineers(800) 843-2763www.asme.org

American Society of SafetyEngineers(847) 699-2929 www.asse.org

American Welding Society(800) 443-9353www.aws.org

ASM International(440) 338-5151www.asminternational.org

PROFESSIONALAND INDUSTRYORGANIZATIONSAmerican Academy ofEnvironmental Engineers(410) 266-3311www.aaee.net

Accreditation Board forEngineering and Technology(410) 347-7700www.abet.org

Accrediting Commission ofCareer Schools and Collegesof Technology(703) 247-4212www.accsct.org

ACE Mentor Program(203) 323-8550www.acementor.org

Aerospace IndustriesAssociation(703) 358-1000www.aia-aerospace.org

American Academy ofEnvironmental Engineers(410) 266-3311www.aaee.net

American Chemical Society(800) 227-5558www.chemistry.org

American Design DraftingAssociation(731) 627-0802www.adda.org

ResourceGuide

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Society of PetroleumEngineers(800) 456-6863www.spe.org

Society of Plastics Engineers(203) [email protected]

Society of Plastics Industry(202) 974-5200www.plasticsindustry.org

Society of WomenEngineers(312) 596-5223www.swe.org

Steel ManufacturersAssociation(202) 296-1515www.steelnet.org

Wood ProductsManufacturers Association(978) 874-5445www.wpma.org

GOVERNMENTAGENCIES

U.S. Department of LaborEmployment & TrainingAdministrationwww.doleta.govwww.careervoyages.gov(877) 872-5627

Occupational Safety andHealth Administration (800) 321-6742www.osha.gov

MANUFACTURINGUNIONS

AFL-CIOwww.aflcio.orgor call your local union

AFL-CIO Working forAmerica Institute(202) 974-8100www.workingforamerica.org

In Demand | 29

Bakery, Confectionery,Tobacco Workersand Grain Millers International Union(301) 933-8600www.bctgm.org

United Auto Workers (313) 926-5000www.uaw.org

International Associationof Machinists & AerospaceWorkers(301) 967-4500www.iamaw.org

International Brotherhoodof Electrical Workers(202) 833-7000www.ibew.org

International Brotherhoodof Teamsters(202) 624-6800www.teamster.org

International Union ofOperating Engineers(202) 429-9100www.iuoe.org

National ElectricalContractors Association(301) 657-3110www.necanet.org

National JointApprenticeship TrainingCommitteewww.njatc.org

Sheet Metal Workers’International Association(202) 783-5880www.smwia.org

United Food andCommercial Workers www.ufcw.org

National Institute forMetalworking Skills(703) 352-4971www.nims-skills.org

National Society ofProfessional Engineers(703) 684-2800www.nspe.org

National Tooling andMachining Association(800) 248-6862www.ntma.org

Precision MetalformingAssociation(216) 901-8800www.metalforming.com

Precision MachinedProducts Association(440) 526-0300 www.pmpa.org

Printing Industries ofAmerica/Graphic ArtsTechnical Foundation(800) 910-4283www.gain.net

Rubber ManufacturersAssociation(202) 682-4800www.rma.org

Semiconductor IndustryAssociation(408) 436-6600www.sia-online.org

Society for Mining,Metallurgy, and Exploration(800) 763-3132www.smenet.org

Society of AutomotiveEngineers(724) 776-4841www.sae.org

Society of ManufacturingEngineers(313) 271-1500www.sme.org

National Association ofManufacturers/NAM(202) 637-3000 www.nam.org(NAM is the nation’s largestindustrial trade associa-tion, representing smalland large manufacturers inevery industrial sector andin all 50 states.)

National Center forIntegrated SystemsTechnology(815) 942-3180www.ncist.ilstu.edu

National Center forManufacturing Education(937) 512-2365www.ncmeresource.org

National Council forAdvanced Manufacturing(202) 429-2220www.nacfam.org

National Council ofExaminers for Engineeringand Surveying(800) 250-3196www.ncees.org

National Council of TextileOrganizations(202) 822-8028www.ncto.org

National ElectricalManufacturers Association(703) 841-3200www.nema.org

National ElectricalContractors Association(301) 657-3110www.necanet.org

National Institute forCertification inEngineering Technologies(703) 548-1518 www.nicet.org NOTE: Websites and phone

numbers change so you mayneed to do a web search orcall Directory Assistance.!


Showing the WayYou can talk to students realisticallyabout what they can expect based onthe amount of time they are willing tospend preparing for a career. Jobs inManufacturing.com (www.jobsinmfg.com), a section of the Jobs inLogistics.com Website lists offeringsfrom lots of cool companies kids willrecognize. A great resource for studentsto compare salaries for different regions and occupations is CompGeoonline (www.compensation-online.com/oconlma.htm).

Many students are surprised to hearabout the great earning potential andvariety of occupations in advancedmanufacturing. Let students check outoptions on their own and then invitethem to come back and talk about whatthey need to do to realize that potential.

Testing for SuccessSometimes students need to figure outwho they are and what they want to dofor themselves. Assessment, personality,and aptitude tests can be a great firststep. The Website www.dreamitdoit.comincludes an aptitude quiz that starts byasking the student to think of the onething he or she likes to do best. Resultsare followed by links to resources forjobs, schools and internships.

Anyone who shows aptitudes in theareas of mechanical and analytical rea-soning, trouble-shooting and problem-solving, spatial relations, or numerical

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High school students need an expert tohelp them map out choices for theirfuture. They turn to you as a professionalcounselor to show them paths they may

not have considered. Advanced manufacturing isone of those hidden opportunities. The followingsuggestions will make it easier for you to steer yourstudents toward this growing and dynamic field.

Tips for Counselors...

SuccessTips for Counselors, Teachers and Parents HelpingStudents Understand Advanced Manufacturing Careers

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ability might want to consider a careerin manufacturing.

Charting a CourseRegardless of how students pursue acareer in advanced manufacturing, youcan stress the importance of math andscience. If students do well workingwith their hands and enjoy being cre-ative, steering them toward physics and

geometry can give them the tools theyneed at every level of advanced manu-facturing. However, what manufactur-ers say they need the most are basicemployability skills. Teamwork, organi-zation, and logical thinking are critical.

Learning on the JobYou can also help students by setting upinternships at local companies. On-the-job training paired with relevant highschool classes makes work and schoolmore meaningful. It also helps the em-ployer give feedback to the student andto the school about what is expected.

A great resource for students is theU.S. Department of Labor Job Corps(www.jobcorps.doleta.gov). Qualifiedstudents learn a trade, earn a highschool diploma or GED, and get a job.Also www.doleta.gov/jobseekers/ap-prent.cfm provides excellent informa-tion on apprenticeship opportunities.

Earning CertificationIn addition to apprenticeship certifi-cates, many secondary and post-sec-ondary technical schools as well ascommunity and technical colleges offerprograms that lead to industry certifi-cation. This allows students to get start-ed in advanced manufacturing with aslittle as two years of training.

Teamwork,organization, and logical thinking

arecritical.

TIPS FOR TEACHERS…Teachers play a vital role in opening theeyes of students to how they can thrivebeyond the classroom. When studentsget tired of hearing you talk about theopportunities, bring the dream tothem. Guest speakers can testify to therange of possibilities in their own townand around the world.

Summer internships for teacherscan give you real-world experience thatwill fire kids up about what happens inthe world of advanced manufacturing.

Math CampA slew of summer math programs canmake learning math fun. Check outwww.ams.org/employment/

mathcamps.html and open a worldof possibilities for your students.

The same goes for science.Science Service(www.sciserv.org) listsscience fairs, scholar-

ships and a magazine.For support outside the

classroom, a new public col-laborative effort called

Workforce3 One (www.work-force 3one.org) can also help. It containsthe latest news and links for trainingstudents in technical skills.

Next try exploring the NationalAssociation of Manufacturer’s(www.gettech.org) career page withyour students. This Website shows howmanufacturing careers are cool!

Another great source for hands-onscience lesson plans is www.teachervi-sion.com. It provides lessons that makemath and science concepts come to lifein the hands and heads of students.

For helping kids use teamwork toproblem solve go to Odyssey of theMind Website (www.odysseyofthe-mind.com). Student creations competewith teams from all over the world.

The Manufacturing Skill StandardsCouncil (MSSC) offers a ProductionTechnician Certification. The founda-tion curriculum certifies workersagainst industry-recognized, federallyendorsed standards. MSSC’s goal is toexpand the pool of workers with thefoundational skills needed to keep pacewith technological changes. This pro-gram stresses the importance of basictechnical skills as well as foundationalknowledge and skills in math, science,reading, writing, communications, IT,analysis, problem-solving, teamwork,organization and planning—all in amanufacturing context.

Community colleges are a great re-source for workers looking to upgradeskills. Advanced manufacturing is get-ting more technical and keeping pacemeans going back to school. Manycommunity colleges offer courses in theevenings to facilitate work-education balances.Some even offer onlinecourses.

Higher EducationSome manufactur-ing jobs require ad-vanced degrees. TheU.S. Department ofEducation Prepare for MyFuture Website (www.ed.gov/students/prep/college/consumerinfo/index.html) is a great place to find acollege, make sure it is accredited andfits your financial, lifestyle and careergoals.

The United States has some of themost advanced four-year public andprivate institutions in the world.Students interested in engineering,electrical and mechanical systems, hy-draulics, pneumatics, nanotechnologyor other advanced manufacturing ca-reers have many options. The U.S.Department of Education’s ThinkCollege Website (www.ed.gov/students/prep/college/thinkcollege/edlite-index.html) can help.

Teachers

Ms Foundation’s Take YourDaughter and Son to WorkDay Website (www.daughter-sandsonstowork.org) sug-gests some fun activitieslisted below to make the tripeven more educational.

CONVERSATION CAFÉ:Children are often asked:“What do you want to bewhen you grow up?” Instead,ask visitors to imagine whattheir future workplace willlook like. Will you work indoorsor outside? What will you haveon your desk? Ask them toconsider what they want theirhome lives to be like. Will it bean apartment in the city or aranch in the suburbs?

ASK THE ADULTS:Tell students that they are tobe reporters, interviewingadults about their dreams,daily life and experiences inmanaging work and home life.

The program takes place thefourth Thursday of every April.Plan on it.


TIPS FORPARENTSIf your teens had their way, would theyplay video games all day? That may bea good sign. The technical, spatial andlogistical skills required to navigatelevels and be successful in the virtualworld could be a sign that your teenwould enjoy a career in advancedmanufacturing.

Enjoy is the key word. TheManufacturing Institute’s Dream It, DoIt Career Calculator puts it this way:“What you’re best at plus what you loveto do. It’s the equation for a perfectjob.” Isn’t that what you want for yourteen? Success, happiness, and fulfill-ment? Those goals will be a lot easier toreach if they look forward to getting upeach day and going to work.

Sharing the DreamThe earlier teens start thinking aboutwhat kind of career they would enjoy,the better off they’ll be. Just becausethey change aspirations every sixmonths doesn’t mean they aren’t dedi-cated. They are trying on different pos-sibilities to find the right fit. Take eachone seriously. Explore the options withthem by helping them do research andtalk to people who hold those jobs.Have them find out what level of edu-cation is required? What are the job

Pare

nts

prospects? What are the salary ranges? Share your career choices with your

teens. Talk about what you do, how yougot to where you are and your goals forthe future. Answer questions and asksome of your own. What did they likethe most? What would they like to avoidwhen it is time for them to earn a pay-check?

Do you have an interesting career inadvanced manufacturing? Volunteer tospeak in your teen’s classroom or at a ca-reer day. Who knows, it just may get youfired up about going to work tomorrow.

Encourage your teens to do thebest they can regardless of their edu-cational goals. Whether their future

includes college or technical schoolwill depend on the individual student,but make sure they get a high schooldiploma. Along the way, counsel yourstudent to take as many courses inmath and science as possible. Thatwill help them in work and everydaylife. Teach them to speak and write ef-fectively. Regardless of their careerchoice, the ability to communicate isessential in today’s world.

SURF THE WEBParents will find lots of career information athttp://www.careervoyages.com/parents-main.cfm.

This site provides:+ different types of careers+ information on the training and skills needed to enter

these careers+ advice on how to pay for more specialized trainingwww.careerclusters.org (Once students know what they want to do,TheNational Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education web siteoutlines career pathways and gives resources for helping students achievetheir career goals.)

A DAYAT THE OFFICE

The ability to communicate is

essential intoday’s world.

I WON’T SETTLE.I WON’T SETTLE.CHALLENGE ME.CHALLENGE ME.I AM CREATIVE.I AM CREATIVE.

WE WANT FUTURES.WE WANT FUTURES.GIVE ME A CHANCE.GIVE ME A CHANCE.WHY NOT DREAM?WHY NOT DREAM?I CAN DO THIS.I CAN DO THIS.

WWW.DREAMIT-DOIT.COMWWW.DREAMIT-DOIT.COM

Y O U R F U T U R E I S T H E R E F O R T H E M A K I N G .

ONE COLOR LOGO WHITE

ONE COLOR LOGO BLACK

ONE COLOR LOGO WHITE

DREAM IT DO IT LOGO-ONE COLOR BLACK & WHITE

I WON’T SETTLE.I WON’T SETTLE.CHALLENGE ME.CHALLENGE ME.I AM CREATIVE.I AM CREATIVE.

WE WANT FUTURES.WE WANT FUTURES.GIVE ME A CHANCE.GIVE ME A CHANCE.WHY NOT DREAM?WHY NOT DREAM?I CAN DO THIS.I CAN DO THIS.

WWW.DREAMIT-DOIT.COMWWW.DREAMIT-DOIT.COM

NOT JUST PAYCHECKS. YOU PROBABLY THINK WE WANT TO SPEND THE REST OF OUR LIVES PLAYING VIDEO GAMES, BUT MAYBE WE’D RATHER MAKE VIDEO GAMES. OR HOW ABOUT FLAT-SCREEN TVS. ACTUALLY, WE WANT TO MAKE GOOD LIVES FOR OURSELVES. HOW DO WE DO THAT? WHATEVER YOU LOVE TO DO, THERE’S A GREAT FUTURE WAITING FOR YOU WITH THOUSANDS OF CAREERS AVAILABLE IN MANUFACTURING.

©2005 MANUFACTURING INSTITUTE

In InDemandDemand Careers in Advanced Manufacturing · T O O F C R A Y O N S: W I L L I A M T H O M A S C A I N / G E T T Y I M A G E S AAdvanced Manufacturing invents and creates

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