In April classrooms ramp up the academic pace and are very involved in state testing, but that didn't slow down our awesome crew! Our TSMA Manufacturing Career Dream Team continued making student connections, spotlighting the wide variety of career opportunities available in manufacturing and encouraging interest in the manufacturing world. Whether in a classroom, career fair, or social gathering, Dream Team members do a great job of bringing their passion and enthusiasm to the group, getting students both excited and engaged.
 
It took many of our team members, but we did it! The Dream Team accomplished a sweep of the seventh and eighth grade classes at Discovery Middle School (DMS) in Alexandria. This included over 250 students, eager to learn and discover more about the modern manufacturing industry.
 

One of our newest Dream Team members, Gracelyn Gerads, a Mechanical Drafting, Design, & Engineering student at Alexandria Technical & Community College (ATCC), started things off at DMS on April 4, presenting to both seventh and eighth grade classes. Her easy style and common interests hooked students right away. Her love of design and drawing proved a perfect fit for her dream of a manufacturing career. She included information about the many manufacturing careers available and the schooling options to train for them, the growing need for workers, and job openings available. Gracelyn also represented the growing number of women pursuing careers in the manufacturing industry, potentially earning 16 percent more than the national median income. Her student design project included great conversation and interaction, proving how exciting manufacturing skills can be. Gracelyn received the following comment from a student, “I can’t wait to tell my family all about what I learned from you today!”
 
Another new team member, Joanna Kietzmann, an ATCC welding student, presented to more seventh and eighth graders in Alexandria on April 4. Her schooling journey and passion for welding set an exciting backdrop for encouraging student interests and she made an instant connection. With manufacturing being such a high-demand industry, providing job security, stability, and positive workplace experiences, it’s no wonder students were excited to see how their interests matched with a manufacturing career. Students loved the welding samples, blueprints and Jeopardy game, earning Joanna the comment, “You should come more often!”
 
Jason Crannell, Manufacturing Engineer at ITW Heartland, continued the fun as he presented to more Design & Modeling seventh grade students on the same day. He was able to weave the elements of manufacturing into his presentation, sharing his interests, incorporating student collaboration and design, and connecting their skill sets with the exciting opportunities available in this industry. His hands-on approach to discovering specialized components draws students right in. The variety of top-secret projects he has worked on provide the best recruiting tool there is! He is an excellent example of how individuals can grow and try exciting new things in manufacturing careers. Not only that, but the benefits are also amazing, including career training options, travel opportunities, and a comfortable salary.
 
On April 7 Sam Ewald, Mechanical Design Engineer at Massman Automation, presented to Alexandria seventh and eighth graders. Right away, Sam drew in the students, helping them connect the skills they are building in their Design & Modeling and Innovations Lab classes, along with their hobbies and interests, to exciting opportunities in the manufacturing world. Like in school, learning from mistakes and being resilient are crucial assets. While Sam engaged students in a design challenge, he informed them about manufacturing basics and how it provides a lifeline for business success. Small town manufacturing in Minnesota alone generates billions of dollars in revenue! In manufacturing, every day is different, flexible, and FUN!
 
Terry Hill, Mechanical Design Engineer at Aagard, brought the excitement to more DMS seventh graders on April 7, generating interest for groups of future manufacturers. Connecting with puzzles and Sudoku, Terry immersed students in work experiences and reinforced the team concept of designing, building, and overseeing projects as the steps to creating successful products. He shared how their training in Tinkercad sets the stage for engineering design and more. Manufacturing is the backbone of our economy, and regardless of their skills and background, students have many opportunities to pursue their future with a career in this rewarding industry.
 
Melany Wolf, Mechanical Design Engineer at Massman Automation, presented to more classes of seventh and eighth graders at DMS on April 7, sharing the manufacturing excitement and the possibility of seeing themselves in a rewarding, inspiring career. From her small-town roots with a passion for designing roller coasters, Melany showed that everyone can dream big and become an integral part of an industry that impacts millions. She helped students connect their class project of designing CO2 dragsters with the steps taken in creating new machines and project designs. Students were quick to see that they had many marketable skills that match with exciting careers. From small towns to big, little training or a lot, guys or girls, there’s a future for each of them in manufacturing with the opportunity to make their dreams come true!
 
On April 17 Derek Klimek, Mechanical Design Engineer at Massman Automation, represented our Dream Team at the Morris Area STEAM Expo. With over 680 sixth through eleventh grade students (and even some fourth and fifth graders!) from Morris, Chokio Alberta, Minnewaska, Starbuck, Glenwood, and Villard attending, this was an excellent opportunity to encourage interest in manufacturing careers. Derek was the perfect ambassador for this mission, bringing his easy demeanor and informed expertise to engage students in conversation, to challenge their problem-solving skills, and to inspire them to envision themselves in a career in the manufacturing industry.   
 
On April 25 Brittany Wing, Marketing Communications Specialist at Vector Windows, wrapped up the month by presenting to classes of tenth, eleventh, and twelfth graders at Kennedy High School in Fergus Falls. As she presented, students were engaged in comfortable conversation and active problem-solving. They were especially interested in the career options available in the manufacturing industry, beyond the traditional jobs most think of. Brittany’s growth from graphic and digital design to marketing she promoted the importance of real-world practice and skill growth on the job. From sales to marketing, HR, production engineering, data analysis, and more, students saw there was something for each of them as they focus on future careers. Brittany reinforced how they can build on opportunities now through clubs, activities, and classes they participate in, discussed schooling options, and of course, she promoted the importance of women choosing careers in the industry. Students came away dreaming of the possibilities of a bright future in the world of manufacturing!