Manufacturing and Engineering

By Marlena Kruman

On Friday, October 26, Homer Senior High School introduced the first-ever Engineering and Manufacturing Day. A smashing success, the students were able to learn about what the engineering and manufacturing fields are and the surplus of opportunities offered in central New York. It also enabled students to engage with professionals who work for a variety of different manufacturing and engineering companies and to learn the realities of the field.

The school counselors and administrators worked hard to put together such a seamless event. Current students who are enrolled in the engineering courses also volunteered their time to set up the event. When the students first came in, they were told to head to their assigned teacher’s classroom- which was delegated to them based on their last name and grade. From there, the underclassmen spent about an hour meeting companies, seeing products produced from the field, and colleges such as Clarkson and Tompkins Community College, both of which offer great opportunities to get involved in the engineering and manufacturing fields. During this time, the upperclassmen were shepherded into the auditorium where they listened to speakers and a panel of professions who explained their designated fields. They also offered great advice to those who wish to pursue the engineering and manufacturing field, including hard work, dedication, being willing to collaborate with others, and to persevere. They asked students to look into these fields because of the growing availability in jobs. The job market is expanding in this modern age because we increasingly rely on technology. They also expressed their wishes to see more women in the male-dominated field. The underclassmen and upperclassmen switched after an hour.

After the event, the students then resumed their two-hour delay schedule and were able to continue their day’s schedule.