Computer and Electronic
Significant research and development as well as rapid technological change are major drivers in the creation of computers and computer-related products for this industry.
Do you have an aptitude for thinking outside the box and wanting to create the next great thing? Working for a manufacturer of computer or electronic equipment may be the perfect career path for you. With a continual demand for newer and better products, this sector may be driven by technological innovation more than any other. From intermediate components to final products, manufacturers in this industry create computers and computer-related products like semi-conductors, solar panels, and clean water measures for both civilian and government purposes. Due to the importance of research and development, this industry is unique in that there are a larger proportion of engineers, engineering technicians, and other highly technical workers as opposed to other industries. These positions are responsible for not only developing these new products, but also finding better and more efficient ways of producing them. That being said, assembly and production of the components or final products is equally as important. Workers with different levels of education can find employment within the industry in positions ranging from skilled assembly by hand to monitoring machinery that completes the production work. This is an important industry, as final products will continue to enhance productivity in all areas of the economy – and you could be a part of it!
Employers
Fabricated Materials
Pioneer the newest technology to build precision machined products.
The renaissance of advanced manufacturing is perhaps best embodied in the manufacturing of fabricated materials. From engineering and prototyping to utilizing state-of-the-art technology, the need to manufacture complex components has never been greater. Nearly every industry, from aerospace to automotive, has specialized unique needs that can only be met through the creation of customized and innovative assemblies. At its roots, it’s the process of transforming metal into intermediate or end products. Important processes including forging, stamping, bending, forming, and machining to shape individual pieces of metal, and other processes such as welding and assembling, to join separate parts together. With the advance of technology, other materials, including rubbers and plastics, can be incorporated into the process as well. These basic processes are used to create extremely advanced components and parts. A modern and sophisticated collection of machinery, software, and tools makes this industry all the more exciting. Emerging technologies, such as five-axis machining are often employed. Five-axis machining positions a cutting tool along five axes of motion instead of the more-common three-axis, and is used commonly in the creation of products for the aerospace, defense, and medical industries.
Employers
Food and Beverage
Manufactures within this sub-sector play a vital role delivering food and beverage products to our tables.
One of the great things about food and beverage manufacturing is that the products are not highly sensitive to economic conditions – there will always be a need for food and beverage products. Did you know that even though the recipe for beer is one of the oldest recipes in the world, advanced production of alcoholic beverages has really only developed in the last couple hundred years? Technological advances and automations enable both food and beverage manufacturers to better meet the changing and diverse needs of the population. Efficiency is at the forefront of manufacturing to help reduce costs. This means the use of machines and computers to help automate parts of the manufacturing process has increased over the past several years. Therefore, a range of career opportunities at a varying degree of skill levels are available in this exciting industry. There’s a need from entry-level production jobs through advanced engineers. No matter your position, though, the adherence to food safety standards is extremely important. From processing and packaging to transporting the final product, you’re responsible for making sure the products delivered to consumers are safe - and yummy.
Employers
Machinery
Take part in the creation of machinery, great and small, that helps others work more efficiently and productively.
The development and utilization of machinery was responsible for one of the great advances of modern times – the Industrial Revolution. Its importance is still felt today, with nearly every workplace using machinery in one form or another to help increase efficiency and productivity. This sector can be further divided into machinery designed for a particular industry, such as agriculture or construction, and general purpose machinery that is used in several industries, such as ventilation, heating and air conditioning, or engine, turbine and power transmission equipment. Employers in machinery manufacturing tend to have a multistage production process, and therefore require a variety of occupations. The design and testing process is typically overseen by engineers. Production then takes over, involving roles such as tool and die makers and computer numerically controlled (CNC) programmers and operators, creating the parts needed for the machinery. Assemblers and fabricators are then needed for complex assembly operations to put everything together. As with all sectors in advanced manufacturing, advances in technology are increasingly requiring individuals with more advanced and technical skills.
Employers
Manufacturing Staffing Agency
Some staffing companies specialize in manufacturing and production jobs. Can they find the right fit for you?
Staffing agencies specialize in finding the right fit for employees and companies alike. The key to a fruitful partnership with a staffing agency is to understand all the services they have to offer. The staffing industry of today successfully integrates contingent employees into all levels of a workforce throughout many different types of organizations. These agencies provide workforce solutions, direct placement and exciting careers with top employers. They can open the door to a great company and job that fits your needs.
Employers
Petroleum, Coal & Minerals
Be a part of the transformation of crude or raw materials into usable products for intermediary or final consumption.
These types of companies transform useful properties of common earth materials such as sand, clay, gravel, coal or petroleum, into much needed products. Most mineral products, such as concrete, or petroleum products like asphalt paving material, are produced for the construction industry, but other mineral-based products may have more diverse markets. Processes used by manufactures of this type include grinding, mixing, cutting, and shaping. Heat or chemicals can also be used to change the composition, purity, or chemical properties of materials. An example of this is melting and shaping sand to make glass. In general, products manufactured by these types of companies tend to be high-volume, low-cost products. Customers also require uniform quality and timely delivery of the product. These factors tend to favor a regional production and distribution model rather than nationwide.
Employers
Specialized Manufacturing
A variety of products, including medical and dental devices, fall under this category.
This category could be considered the “catch all” for products that don't fit neatly into another category. The processes used to manufacture goods can vary widely. For example, although medical and dental instruments and supplies both fall into this category, the products are very different, and the way the products are manufactured differs greatly as well. Niche-market manufacturers can also fall into this category, such as a manufacturer that creates fuel, combustion, and electronic control systems for the aerospace and energy efficiency markets. There is a big emphasis on engineering, prototyping, and “manufacturability” in these types of companies, as solutions are either very complex or one-offs. These complex or one-off solutions mean that your work is always changing and never boring.
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