Exposure Inspires Students to Choose Manufacturing Careers
Randy Wolken, President & CEO
Manufacturing today is nothing like the outdated picture many students and parents carry in their minds; it’s not dark, dusty factories or repetitive work on an assembly line. Instead, modern manufacturing is high-tech, creative, and filled with opportunity. Imagine robotics, tremendous automation, 3D printing, digital twins, and clean, team-based environments—this is the new face of manufacturing. The challenge is if students never see this reality, they may never consider it a career option. Exposure—through plant tours, maker labs, internships, and events like Manufacturing Day—can make all the difference.
When students experience manufacturing firsthand, their perception shifts from “not for me” to “this could be an exciting future.” Research backs up this idea in powerful ways. Each year during Manufacturing Day (MFG Day), companies nationwide open their doors to students. Surveys from the Manufacturing Institute show remarkable results: more than 80% of students who take part in the day leave convinced that manufacturing offers enjoyable and rewarding careers, and two-thirds report being more motivated to pursue them. Even a single day of exposure can change how a young person sees the industry. In fact, one survey found that 90% of participants gained a greater understanding of manufacturing after MFG Day, with over 70% saying they now believe manufacturing offers engaging, well-paid careers. These findings are evidence that for students, seeing is believing.
We’ve applied these research findings at Partners for Education and Business, Inc. (PEB) and MACNY, The Manufacturers Association, but we’ve taken it a step further by introducing students to manufacturing all month long with Manufacturing Month. We’re honored that Governor Hochul has once again declared October as Manufacturing Month in New York State. As we approach the midway point of the month, we’ve hit the ground running already with several tours that have exposed hundreds of students across Central New York to amazing manufacturing environments, with many more tours still to come!
Why does this kind of exposure work so well? Interests and experiences are the top drivers of career choice for teenagers. A study by the Manufacturing Institute revealed that what influences students the most isn’t parents or teachers, but rather their own hands-on experiences. Exposure builds interest, and interest fuels career pathways. International studies, including research by The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), echo this finding: students who take part in job shadows, workplace visits, and career-connected learning show stronger motivation and better career alignment. In other words, giving students a window into the real world helps them find where they belong.
Career-connected high school models prove this point even further. Take Career Academies, for example, these programs combine focused coursework with real-world employer engagement and work-based learning. A long-term study by MDRC showed that students in Career Academies not only performed better in school but also enjoyed lasting earnings gains in adulthood. Programs like Project Lead the Way (PLTW), which immerse students in applied STEM and technical challenges, also lead to higher post-secondary success rates. These programs share a common thread: they give students a taste of real-world, hands-on learning, which often sparks interest in fields like advanced manufacturing.
National and regional programs show how transformative this can be. PEB is working with over 15 school districts to bring programming to students year-round. They don’t just read about technology, they touch it, see it, and hear from the people behind it. These experiences flip the switch from abstract ideas to tangible, inspiring possibilities. Exposure is the spark that lights the fire of interest, and the need is urgent. U.S. manufacturers face millions of job openings in the coming decade, with significant skills gaps. That means we need more than just training, we need to inspire students by showing them what’s possible in manufacturing at an early age. Scaled exposure strategies can shift beliefs at the speed and scale the workforce challenge demands.
Exposure matters: it changes minds, opens doors, and builds futures. The path forward is clear; we must provide high-quality exposure through tours, exchanges, and mentoring. We must build identity and interest with applied learning with programs like PLTW, and career pathways such as internships or apprenticeships. We need to create smooth transitions with work-based learning and strong employer partnerships. At every stage along the way, exposure acts as the catalyst.
When young people step inside a plant, explore a lab, or meet someone with a career in manufacturing, they see it in a new light. They begin to imagine a career that is modern, meaningful, and full of opportunity. For students, it’s not just a glimpse of a workplace, it’s a glimpse of their future and for our growing manufacturing community, it’s the key to building the next generation of makers, innovators, and leaders. With every student we expose to the exciting world of manufacturing, we’re not just filling jobs but shaping the future of work itself.