Manufacturing Is A Great Career Prep Area For Innovation, And It Is So Much More Than Factory Work
When one hears the word “manufacturing” brought up in conversation, the next word often thought of is likely not going to be “entrepreneurship.” But, the two actually go very well together, and many innovative individuals today are pairing their skills in manufacturing with entrepreneurship endeavors. There are, indeed, strong career prep and development pathways in the essential field of manufacturing, and for those with a free spirit, some of the professional options might surprise you.
So, let’s explore some of what manufacturing, as an entrepreneurial pathway, has to offer… for those who want to have a career where they call all the shots…
Manufacturing is an essential industry because it is where most of our consumer goods come from, and that means considerable opportunities for career growth.
If you are already naturally inclined towards making items with your hands instead of readily and easily buying them from a brick-and-mortar store or online outlet, then manufacturing as an entrepreneurial enterprise may be for you. You will certainly want to consider it as part of a strong and innovative career prep pathway.
Many manufacturing ideas for businesses are often both strong and profitable in the long-term, and the possibilities can take many different forms. Some manufacturing options for a start-up business can include things like making custom-designed shoes and clothing items, creating specialty beverages, or even creating a unique cosmetics line with a niche market. And, if you use your manufacturing skills and your entrepreneurial focus to design a product that actually solves an everyday problem for people, the sky is the limit!
Many types of entrepreneurship endeavors involve aspects of manufacturing, for both personal career prep and the ultimate success of a business.
Now, let’s think a bit further about manufacturing for the entrepreneur, as it often ends up combining facets of both STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and STEAM (adding the ‘A’ adds in the arts and crafts component to STEM). This can be most directly seen and experienced at local events (and many have moved online these days, too) called “Maker’s Fairs.”
Maker’s Fairs are events that feature artisan manufacturers, who are presenting their unique goods that they’ve custom designed and created to the public. These goods are often manufactured at various levels of scale using engineering methods such as woodworking, laser creation, robotics, welding, wax-working, 3-D design printing, and even machining. Examples of manufactured items made by innovative entrepreneurs that you might see at a Maker’s Fair can include one-of-a-kind bridal accessories, custom stationary, specialty pet products, resin art (in the form of both wear-ables and décor), hand-thrown pottery, manufactured candle lines, self-care and bath items, cosmetics, handmade furnishings, and much more.
Really, the possibilities are endless, and what’s trending now for manufacturers could quickly change, depending on consumer demands, technology advances, and the human imagination.
So, do you have an idea for creating unique items that could enhance the quality of people’s lives and fill a custom-design niche in today’s market? Think about it for just a minute… and if you find that the answer is ‘yes,’ then you just may have what it takes to be a manufacturing entrepreneur and industrial visionary!
Do you see your career future in entrepreneurship? Then be sure to read the article, Creating Your Own Entrepreneurship Path!
Want to learn more about future career prep readiness? Check out this Stride podcast on How Can We Prepare Students For Careers Of The Future?
Considering enrolling your child in a Stride K12 school, for further education and career prep options and experiences? Now is the absolute best time to get started!