Making a Difference

Meet Mimi

Mimi Koel: Robotic Lobster

Mimi focuses on creature features, like hairy noses, squishy bodies, or tiny sizes. She wonders: How does an animal work when it's doing something mechanical, like swimming or flying? And what body features affect how well a creature stands up to nature's forces, like tides, waves, currents, and winds?

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(http://www.iwaswondering.org/mimi_scrapbook_main.html)

Why Manufacturing

Manufacturing & the Economy

Throughout the 1990s, manufacturing's contribution to economic growth was strong and robust, on par with the financial sector. Through the invention and application of technology, manufacturers raised productivity higher than ever before and were largely responsible for the low-inflation prosperity of that decade.

In the past decade, U.S. business became more engaged with the world economy, increasing exports and imports, spurring investments at home and abroad and raising pay and living standards for employees working in international trade. Today, the United States is the world's largest exporter.

Unlike other industries, manufacturing is unable to pass on rising costs to its customers. This limitation stems from the fact that manufacturing is the most globally engaged of all American industries, facing its most intense international competition ever.

Reference: www.dreamit-doit.com/content/campaign/manufacturing_and_economy.php

Career Profiles

Want to learn more about career paths in the contemporary manufacturing industry? Check out our career profiles section.

What your business card says: Precision Machinist

What you'll be doing all day:

You’ll be involved in the set-up, operation and programming of CNC equipment. The parts you machine could be used in defense weapons, airplanes, medical implants, nuclear power plants and more. You will design tooling, work to improve processes and efficiencies and come up with cost-saving ideas to help your company compete in the global marketplace.

Someone with little experience makes (roughly): $25,000 plus benefits

Someone with lots of experience makes (roughly): $80,000 plus benefits

Type of education you'll need: High school diploma, Associates degree

What your business card says: Manufacturing Engineer

What you'll be doing all day:

You will create the detailed plan that outlines the design, manufacturing and assembly of a job. You will be involved with project management and have direct interaction with customers. To do this job well, you will need to have extraordinary problem-solving skills.

Someone with little experience makes (roughly): $50,000 plus benefits

Someone with lots of experience makes (roughly): $78,000 plus benefits

Type of education you'll need: Bachelor’s Degree