On Thursday, March 7, 2024 the Career Connections Center hosted a panel exploring various roles within manufacturing. Panelists provided insight about the day-to-day of their roles, and how they’ve leveraged their educational background and technical skills to launch successful careers in manufacturing.
SUMMARY
Panel Introductions
Alexi, a product design engineer at Exactech, discussed her role in designing and developing orthopedic medical devices. Allison, a senior engineer in mine permitting and land resource management at Mosaic, explained her role in securing permits for land to mine. David, a financial analyst and lead of enterprise reporting and analytics at Mosaic, discussed his role in providing business intelligence and analytic reporting to the senior leadership group. Lastly, Michael, Divisional Vice President of Operational Excellence at Ametek, talked about his role in ensuring customer delivery, managing product cost, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement. Gabby then asked the panelists about their journey into manufacturing.
Engineering Career Paths in Manufacturing
Alexi shared her journey from studying engineering at UF to working in manufacturing at Procter and Gamble, which she found beneficial for her design engineering career. She emphasized the importance of understanding the manufacturing process when designing products. Allison discussed her environmental engineering background and how it led her to a career in permitting at Mosaic, where she applied her skills in air pollution control and ecology. David spoke about his diverse career in manufacturing, from field management at General Electric to quality management and VP positions. He encouraged others to explore the field of manufacturing and highlighted the growing role of high-tech equipment in the industry. Finally, Michael talked about his decision to study industrial and systems engineering at UF due to its combination of business, people skills, and technical aspects. He also shared his experience at GE and his transition into manufacturing.
Manufacturing Skills and Tech Trends
The panelists agreed that creativity, innovation, problem-solving, critical thinking, flexibility, and decision-making skills are essential. They also highlighted the importance of experience, financial management understanding, and the ability to make decisions and implement them. The discussion also touched on the tech revolution and the digital revolution in manufacturing, with an emphasis on smart machining and data analysis. The conversation also addressed the potential career progression from an engineering role to a product manager role. The importance of hands-on experience, such as internships, was also discussed.
Career Launch: Practical Experience and Networking
The panelists emphasized the importance of practical experience and networking in launching and progressing a career. Michael highlighted the value of hands-on experience and internships, while David encouraged pursuing a job after obtaining a bachelor’s degree. Allison pointed out the significance of job experience and relationship building, while Alexi advised not to stress about the first job and to seek out connections and mentors. The panelists also stressed the importance of emotional intelligence and treating others with care and empathy in the workplace. Many shared that networking, maintaining relationships, especially with mentors and leaders within their organizations, played a significant role in their career advancement.
Allison recommended getting involved with professional associations such as SME and chemical engineers’ conferences. David emphasized the importance of networking, including leveraging Gator Clubs, and advised students to be innovative and aggressive in their job search. Alexi and David suggested attending career fairs and emphasized the importance of face-to-face interactions.
