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what they do and to connect with students who might represent
the next generation of skilled manufacturing trades workers. If you
are interested in manufacturing as a career path, see if your area
has any Manufacturing Day events that might enable you to engage
with local manufacturers in an up-close, firsthand fashion.
Even beyond well-established events like Manufacturing Day, it’s
worthwhile to try to touch base with local trades employers. If there
is a trades company in your area that specializes in something
relevant to the career path that interests you—whether it’s manu-
facturing, construction, farming, renewable energy, automotive
service, or something else—consider reaching out to ask about
opportunities that they may have for high school students. Intern-
ships, job shadowing, experiential learning programs, or even just
informational interviews can provide a lot of opportunity to learn
about these employers, what they do, the job openings they have,
and what they’re looking for in an entry-level worker.