Student Zone
Six Reasons to Work in Manufacturing
đź’ˇ WATT đź’ˇ will you do when the diploma's through?
A career in manufacturing is insanely rewarding. This page outlines some of the great reasons to get on board with companies like LS Cable & System USA, as well as some tools, tips and tricks if you're considering a career in the industry.
Great Pay, Benefits
This high-demand industry means you’ll receive good pay and benefits.
Growth Potential
Job Security
Manufacturing's stable reputation means you can commit your entire career to the industry.
New Tech
Make a Difference
Innovate
Manufacturing in the News
- Manufacturing in 2050| Entreprenuer.com
- The Electric Vehicle Revolution | Lanoticiadigital.com
- A Message for Schools and Youth: Consider Manufacturing | Autovalve.com
- The Rebirth of American Manufacturing | Blackrock.com
- The Benefits of a Career in Manufacturing | cmtc.com
- I'm a 9th-grade teacher. Here's what I wish parents of freshmen would help their children understand. | MSN.com
What's Cool About Manufacturing?
Check out these awesome resources from PBS!
By the Numbers
Average salary of an entry-level US industry job
Estimated open jobs in manufacturing
% of Americans currently employed by a manufacturer
Manufacturers in the US
Developing a Career Plan
There are literally thousands of career and job options out there. If you're feeling overwhelmed, consider these 10 tips on deciding where you want to go:
01 Reflect on your interests.
Most students (and lots of adults!) haven’t yet figured out what they want to do when they “grow up”. That’s why it’s important to begin your career plan by reflecting and analyzing your wants. Start with the things you love doing. Join clubs and explore your talents. Joining groups can also help you meet other people with the same passions. This could lead to a better network, and those people can help you narrow down your choices.
Question to Ponder: What do I enjoy doing in my spare time?
02 Identify your skills.
It's not just about what you love doing - you'll also have to spend some time being honest about the things you're good at. When you have to identify your strengths and skills - and those you still need to improve - it'll be easier to see what you bring to the table in terms of skill.
Question to Ponder: What am I good at?
03 Determine your values.
Is it more important to you to have lots of money, or lots of free time? Would you rather travel the world for work, or settle down with a family right away? These kinds of questions will help narrow down the field of prospects, and if you're honest with yourself, it can help narrow your options to only the most suitable opportunities.
Question to Ponder: What kinds of things are important to me?
04 Get experience where you can.
There’s no better way to prepare for the working world than by having to experience it. There are several ways to do that; you can explore working, job shadowing, and volunteering.
05 Do your research.
Do an internet search or ask a counselor about industries that are related to your skills and interests. Finding a career that lets you work on your interests and is aligned with your lifestyle might be challenging. However, it’s attainable when you make sure to prepare for it through a well-crafted career plan.
06 Seek our mentors.
Planning your career out can be challenging and frustrating if you don’t have guidance. Talk to parents, teachers, and counselors about your journey, because their experience and knowledge in different fields could help you map your career plans.
07 Challenge yourself.
Make an effort to equip yourself and be competitive in the field you want to pursue. Stay focused on your goal and work your way up. Do this by taking on challenges such as being part of a volunteer group, taking elective classes, and attending training programs.
08 Take charge.
Choose a career that you want and not based on others’ opinions. Listen to people’s advice but don’t let them dictate what course to take. You’re the one who’ll be working on that job for years, so you be the pilot of your career.
09 Don't be afraid of change
Don’t box yourself in with the career plan you made years back. Instead, be open to change. This might be applicable if you’re already in the field. Therefore, if you’re at that crossroad where you feel like trying another line of work, try making a new career plan.
10 Enjoy the journey!
Take your time to think about what you really like. Achieving your career goals isn’t a marathon, so be patient with yourself. Give yourself time and explore different career ideas. Try to imagine yourself working in different industries and weigh which one you like best. Most importantly, always remember to be kind to yourself. Pushing yourself to the limits will do you no good. Instead, be wise in choosing what battles to take while focusing on self-improvement and not burnout.