Dream It Do It. Mississippi. Your Future is here for the Making

The idea behind Dream It. Do It. is simple.

Whatever it is young people are passionate about, be it cars or computers or music or art, they can find a great career doing it in today’s modern manufacturing. But, in order to attract Mississippi’s best and brightest to one of manufacturing's many exciting sectors — from biotechnology to computer software — we need your help. Recent studies show that more than 80% of manufacturers say their biggest problem is finding qualified workers. This shortage of workers could have a serious impact on our nation’s and our state’s economy. Even in today’s difficult economic times, the New York Times recently reported on a Conference Board study that shows available jobs in engineering, physical science, computer and mathematical science exceeding the available labor pool.

Today’s advanced manufacturing is a high-tech industry requiring skilled and talented people. The industry has changed. It’s not your father’s manufacturing any more.

In fact, manufacturing:

• pays average wages and benefits of about 20% more than the average compensation for the rest of the workforce. (Learn more on the Career Profiles page.)
• employs more than 14 million people in the United States.
• continues to drive the economy by making the highest contribution to economic growth of any sector.
• is responsible for more than 70% of private sector research and development.
• creates a wide range of advanced technologies that cut energy use and lead to a cleaner environment.
• is a knowledge-based industry powered by computer technology.

A June 2009 study by Deloitte LLP and The Manufacturing Institute shows that Americans view manufacturing as the most important industry for a strong national economy. Whether it is clothing, cell phones, computers or automobiles, CDs and DVDs, food and drink, athletic gear, medicine or cosmetics, virtually everything we use on a daily basis is manufactured. These and many other products are part of everyday life because modern manufacturing techniques make them reliable, affordable and available.

What Can You Do?

As a teacher or career counselor, you can use Dream It. Do It. to educate your students about the careers available in manufacturing. Following are steps you can take to help them identify their career options and job opportunities and guide them toward the career of their dreams:

1. Don’t feel like you know much about manufacturing careers? Check out InDemand magazine, which gives details about specific manufacturing careers and more.
2. Visit the Student/Job Seekers section for even more information that will help you help your students determine their interests, select a college or university, and prepare for and search for available manufacturing jobs in the state
3. Talk to students realistically about what they can expect based on the amount of time they are willing to spend preparing for a career. Many students are surprised to hear about the great earning potential and variety of occupations in advanced manufacturing. Direct students to get the appropriate training and education required for their chosen careers. Visit the Education & Training section of this site for a list of options available in Mississippi.
4. Sometimes students need to figure out who they are and what they want to do for themselves. Assessment, personality, and aptitude tests can be a great first step. Start by directing your students to take the Dream Career Quiz located in the Career Toolkit.
5. Regardless of how students pursue a career in manufacturing, stress the importance of math and science. The Manufacturing Institute recommends that students take math and science courses starting in middle school, as manufacturing is technologically driven. Computer programming skills should be studied, as well, due to the importance of computer-aided design, engineering and manufacturing programs (known as CAD/CAE/CAM) in product development and machine tool operation. For students with a firm grounding in the sciences, the opportunities are vast.
6. Be creative. When students get tired of hearing you talk about the opportunities, bring the dream to them. Guest speakers can testify to the range of possibilities in their own town and around the world. Summer internships for teachers can give you real-world experience that will fire kids up about what happens in the world of advanced manufacturing.
   Encourage your student to take these subjects and consider a career in advanced manufacturing.

 

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