Manufacturing: A Comeback Career?

It seems like our young people are struggling more than ever to set their sights on what career they’d like to pursue after high school or college. A survey of the “100 Best Jobs” for 2014 by U.S. News & World Report ranked these professions as its Top 10:

1. Software Developer
2. Computer Systems Analyst
3. Dentist
4. Nurse Practitioner
5. Pharmacist
6. Registered Nurse
7. Physical Therapist
8. Physician
9. Web Developer
10. Physical Therapist

Yet, some would like to see manufacturing high on that career list, including the leaders for Troop 123 of New Boston, New Hampshire in the Daniel Webster Council.

Boy Scouts from Troop 123 in New Boston take a lesson in basic composites manufacturing from Bret Blanchard at Great Bay Community College’s Advanced Technology and Academic Center in Rochester, NH.

Boy Scouts from Troop 123 in New Boston take a lesson in basic composites manufacturing from Bret Blanchard at Great Bay Community College’s Advanced Technology and Academic Center in Rochester, NH.

In fact, Troop 123 Assistant Scoutmaster Doug Cullen would like to see a new merit badge focused entirely on advanced manufacturing.

“A manufacturing merit badge would be a great addition to Scouting skills development,” Cullen told a reporter with Foster’s Daily Democrat. “Plus, it would be yet another way to enhance how manufacturing is a traditional, yet also contemporary, career path — especially given the integration of newer technologies.”

As part of its priorities for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education, Troop 123 recently took its Scouts through Great Bay Community College’s Advanced Technology and Academic Center in Rochester. And, the troop is just beginning the process of nominating manufacturing for a new, national merit badge program.

“In this case,” Cullen said, “we would focus on leadership, character development and green processes, as well as the obvious career development advantages.”

While some may see manufacturing as an “old school” career, the advances in STEM education and new manufacturing technologies are making it a more attractive career choice. Kudos to Troop 123 Scouts for their initiative in proposing a new merit badge focused on manufacturing careers.

What new initiatives are you experimenting with to open up more career choices for today’s young people? Do you see manufacturing as a promising career choice compared to other employment opportunities? Let us know what career preferences you are seeing in your respective organizations.

Thanks!
Wayne