Despite the curricula in college programs, most students find themselves stumbling in the dark after graduation due to a lack of experience to achieve a manufacturing industry career. For a student to obtain a good job after graduation, he/she needs interpersonal, problem solving, and technical skills. To acquire these skills and bridge the gap between class learned knowledge and the industry work, experience through students’ practices such as an internship program is essential.
Student practice is already prevalent in teaching programs and law schools in some countries. In the manufacturing aspect, student practice is meant to equip students with the manufacturing knowledge, people, and communication skills needed to face the challenges of a job in the industry. It acts as a way to provide students with hands-on manufacturing industry experience. The first-hand exposure to a manufacturing environment enlightens students on the actual work they will be required to do once they graduate.
How Students’ Practice Works
A student’s practice period is a mentoring experience where the student gets to work alongside someone in the industry who knows what they are doing. The experience makes them well prepared to start working a lot sooner than somebody who graduated from college with little experience.
The manufacturing industry is an excellent workplace for students who are curious about how products work and how they are created. Manufacturing companies offer a wide range of career paths, from hands-on operations to design engineering and marketing to business. An intern or work experience position in such companies helps students focus their education and interest, while also building a strong resume.
The first step of a student practice in the manufacturing industry is learning about the complex and highly structured processes typical of such a company. This involves equipment and instrument learning, recognizing the importance of timeliness, and developing strong work ethics. The student also learns about collaboration, teamwork, following directions, and respecting safety protocols.
Other Important Tips
For an eventful teachable experience, always ask your superiors for feedback on your performance. Make yourself indispensable by volunteering for extra tasks and providing bright ideas when necessary. The student should keep a daily note of duties assigned, activities involved in, and lessons learned. Your school and the company may require you to create a report before/at the end of your student practice program. If you would instead outsource your essay writing to a professional due to other school engagements, it is best to check out custom writing reviews beforehand.
Hiring students temporarily is a win-win situation for both students and the company involved. The company could benefit in the long term if the student returns after graduation. At that point, the student does not need to undergo some basic training again. In the short term, some mundane tasks can be taken up by the students during their time there.
With outdated manufacturing curricula and resource shortages in schools, the manufacturing industry must bridge the skill gap in STEM courses by showing students that the field is creative, vibrant, and high tech. Though they will have to come in at the bottom end and learn basic tasks during student practice, the student’s workload teaches them invaluable lessons on what their first job will be.
Areas of Student Discipline Associated with a Manufacturing Company
Despite one’s college major, and the aspect of manufacturing he/she is interested in, there is a place for different career growths in the manufacturing industry. For example, the engineering student can be trained in project design evaluation and the use of an instrument. And the business management student can learn office work such as scanning, filing, and data entry.
Working in different departments during an internship program exposes the student to new skills vital to landing their dream job after graduation. The experience could also get the student interested in a career path that he/she has been ignorant of for a long time. Whether a student is interested in the engineering, business, marketing, or design aspect of manufacturing, there is a place for everyone. Here are some specific college programs that can lead one to a career in manufacturing:
-Engineering
-MBA
-IT
-Human resources
Where to Start: For the Company
Plan to compensate the student
When a company decides to implement a students’ practice program, it should plan how to compensate them. When the students are paid, they put in more effort and are more likely to take their tasks seriously. Whether they will get college credit or not, paying the student means assigning them a few responsibilities.
Define the job for them to do
For a student to get the experience needed during student practice, he /she requires project assignments that fit the current industrial level. Such projects could be on the client’s product or process development plans. It is the employer’s job to set up the requirements the students need to have to join in such projects.
This means defining what exactly you intend for them to work on. Such requirements include:
1. The student’s age.
2. Cumulative grade point average.
3. Hours involved.
4. Length of the student practice.
Also, noting down the job description and the student responsibilities will prevent one from being disappointed if they were interested in a job that was not available.
Assign a mentor to the student
Students’ practice is not complete if the student does not have a mentor to shadow. This superior or mentor could also conduct a review and evaluation of the student at the end of the program to determine if they have been learning. This process will also help the company know what can be done to influence other students better positively.
For the Student
Research and apply
After deciding you want hands-on experience in a manufacturing company, the next thing is to ask around for companies in your area and apply for a temporary position with them. You could ask friends or scout several websites and social media for some opportunities. Reach out to the companies you know and find out if there are available opportunities.
Perfect your CV and cover letter
You can attempt to create an excellent CV if you can. However, you can also use guides to make sure your CV and cover letter are perfect to suit the company you are applying to. Finding the best essay writing service reviews ensures that your choice when outsourcing is a reputable one that provides high-quality documents.
Follow up
A follow-up email about two weeks after you sent your application is essential when you do not hear back from the company. This is to ensure that the HR department received what you sent. Call the company or send an email asking whether your materials arrived and offering additional information about yourself.
Why Schools and the Manufacturing Industry Should Consider Student Practice
-Make all engineering students, irrespective of the chosen area of specialization, become better engineers.
-Cultivate in students the idea that a product designed could be produced cost-effectively with quality.
-Equip students on interpersonal, analytical, team building, and work-related skills required for the business environment.
-Help students to put theories and concepts into practice by applying their technical knowledge to real-life situations.
Conclusion
Manufacturing is a vital sector of any economy as it contributes significantly to the overall economic strength. Despite, or rather due to automation and efficiency programs, the manufacturing industry is a great place for skilled professionals. Students interested in the manufacturing process need to fill the skill gap by obtaining a work experience that will help fast-track their career after graduation.
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Nancy P. Howard has been working as a journalist at an online magazine in London for a year. She is also a professional writer in such topics as blogging, IT and marketing.
