National Manufacturing Day, Part Two: Bringing Manufacturing Careers Directly to the Classroom

PART TWO OF TWO

Real conversations. Real career opportunities. A closer look at modern manufacturing.
What does a career in manufacturing actually look like? How much technology is involved? What kinds of jobs are available, and what opportunities exist for students after high school? For students, these questions can be difficult to answer without firsthand exposure to industry.

That’s why Cabarrus EDC’s Career Talks program is helping bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace by bringing local manufacturers directly to students.

As part of its National Manufacturing Day celebration, Cabarrus EDC connected representatives from local manufacturers, including Celgard and Eli Lilly, with at least 31 students from Cabarrus County Schools and Kannapolis City Schools. The classroom visits gave students an opportunity to hear directly from industry professionals, learn about the realities of today’s manufacturing environment, and ask questions about potential career paths.

Beyond the Assembly Line: What Modern Manufacturing Really Looks Like
One of the biggest goals of Career Talks is to help students understand that manufacturing is much more than traditional production-line work. Today’s manufacturing industry relies on advanced technology, robotics, automation, engineering, scientific research, quality control, marketing, maintenance, and many other specialized skills. Behind every product is a team of people working together to design, develop, produce, and deliver it. Hearing from professionals who work in the industry helps students see those connections in a way that textbooks and classroom lessons alone cannot always provide.

One student shared a particularly meaningful takeaway after the presentation:
“I thought manufacturing was labor and hands-on work and did not understand the degree of robotics. It’s fascinating what robotics enables.”

That shift in perspective is exactly what these conversations are designed to accomplish. By introducing students to the technology and people behind modern manufacturing, Career Talks helps challenge outdated perceptions and expand students’ understanding of what a manufacturing career can be.

Students Ask the Questions That Matter
Perhaps the most valuable part of the classroom visits was the opportunity for students to ask questions directly to the people doing the work. Their questions went beyond simply asking what a company makes. Students wanted to understand what it is really like to work in manufacturing, from daily responsibilities and workplace expectations to compensation and opportunities for advancement.

Among the questions students asked were:
• How long are your shifts, and how long are lunch breaks?
• Do you hire scientists, engineers, and people in marketing?
• How much does a manufacturing job pay?
• What opportunities are available for students right out of high school?
• Do you offer job shadowing or internships?
• What is the difference between an engineering role and a technician role?
• Do you work with or maintain autonomous technology?
• What is a common misconception people have about your industry?
• How has networking influenced your career?

These questions reveal something important: Students are not just curious about manufacturing. They are thinking about their futures and trying to understand whether the industry could be a place for them. They want to know what qualifications they need, what a typical workday looks like, how much they can earn, and whether there is room to grow. They are also interested in how technology is changing the workplace and what skills will be valuable as they enter the workforce.

Having manufacturers answer these questions firsthand makes the opportunities more tangible and helps students connect their education to potential careers.

Showing Students Where Their Future Could Lead
Not every student will follow the same path after graduation, and manufacturing offers a variety of ways to enter the workforce. Some careers may require a four-year degree, while others offer opportunities through technical education, certifications, on-the-job training, or other postsecondary pathways. Students can explore careers in production, engineering, science, automation, maintenance, quality control, logistics, and business operations.

Conversations with companies like Celgard and Eli Lilly help students recognize that manufacturing needs people with different interests, educational backgrounds, and skill sets. A student interested in science may discover opportunities in research or quality-related roles. Someone fascinated by technology may find a future in robotics or automation. Another student who enjoys problem-solving or working with people may discover opportunities in engineering, operations, or marketing.

The goal is to help students see that there is no single definition of a manufacturing career and that their individual interests and strengths may have a place in the industry. Just as importantly, these conversations introduce students to employers in their own community. Building relationships early can help students better understand local career opportunities and take meaningful next steps through internships, job shadowing, additional education, and future employment.

Building Connections Between Education and Industry
A strong local workforce begins with strong connections between educators, students, and employers.
Through Career Talks, Cabarrus EDC is helping create those connections by making industry professionals more accessible to students while giving manufacturers an opportunity to share their experiences, answer questions, and introduce the next generation to their industry. These interactions benefit more than students. Employers gain an opportunity to engage with emerging talent, share the skills their businesses need, and help young people understand the many possibilities available close to home.

For Cabarrus County and Kannapolis, that connection is especially important. Manufacturing is an important part of the local economy, and developing a workforce prepared for its evolving needs is essential to the industry’s continued success.
National Manufacturing Day may provide an annual opportunity to celebrate the products made here, but the conversations happening in classrooms throughout the year can help shape who makes the next generation of products possible.

Because the future of manufacturing isn’t just about the technology we develop or the products we produce. It’s about the people we inspire, the skills we help build, and the connections we create today to prepare tomorrow’s workforce.