As the manufacturing sector continues to recruit highly skilled workforce, expanding resources to attract this demographic requires an acute focus on America’s education system. One industry that is doing its part to attract graduates in the engineering sector is computer numerical control (CNC) machining companies. There are a wide-range of career paths for an engineering student to consider – from structure to mechanical to electrical, etc.
Downstream suppliers produce components and assemblies for many sectors, including medical device contract manufacturing.
Automating Machining
Once a labor intensive hands-on skill, today’s CNC machinist needs to understand computer equipment, automation and programming for hands-free application. The great thing about CNC components is that there is 100% precision possible with replication speeds never experienced by early 20th Century machinists. Imagine working with a completely automated shop floor, clean workstations and a team of professionals collaborating in the assembly of critical components.
Supply Side Engineering
The dynamic and rewarding challenge of producing, prototyping, testing and generating critical components for medical device contract manufacturing is rewarding. If you flip the equation, what about working on the supply side with a CNC machining company? Some of these suppliers hire in-house engineers, who work in the same ‘zero tolerance for error’ environment. The difference is that these supply-side engineers have the opportunity to engage with multiple manufacturer sectors depending on their company’s client list.
Set the Course
Engineering requires courses in math, chemistry and computer science that start in middle school. For young men and women, this is a proposition that can be achieved. Secondary and post course work is aligned to continue this progression, until graduation with a specialized engineering degree. Understand the career opportunities available can assist both young men and young women in honing in on a specific path of study in engineering.
CNC machining companies and specific manufacturing sectors provide internships to gain real-world knowledge. The best way to understand your coursework is through the application. So take a closer look to see if a career in engineering is the right path for you. Then if its is, you never know – you may one day be involved in the medical device contract manufacturing sector.
