Dr. Alyson Gaspar, Career and Technical Education Services Manager
Women’s History Month is the perfect opportunity to honor women who work in the manufacturing field. Women make up 47% of the total workforce but they only represent 30% of the workforce in the manufacturing industry. Women in this field work hard and they are outnumbered, which can be challenging. However, for those who have the passion, the opportunities are endless and the payoff is worth it.
Today, women in manufacturing hold positions that require high-skill and are certainly in-demand. They work in environments that are clean and increasingly high-tech with an emphasis on safety. Their contributions promote innovation and creativity, while improving company morale. These are careers, not just jobs, with above average wages allowing women to support themselves, support their families, and support their communities and local economies.
Women that paved the way in manufacturing include Stephanie Kwolek, who invented Kevlar in 1965; Madam C.J. Walker (born Sarah Breedlove), who established a company in 1910 specializing in hair products for African-Americans and became one of the first American women to become a self-made millionaire; and Margaret Knight, “the lady Edison”, who created a dozen patents in the late 1800’s through the early 1900’s for manufacturing purposes.
Women in manufacturing make things happen. They solve puzzles and find creative solutions to real-life problems. They bring blueprints to life and turn designs into reality. They use attention-to-detail to maintain quality control through every step of the process. They use knowledge and skills, as well as technology and tools, to create, fix, and fabricate products we use every day.
The opportunities in the manufacturing industry are endless. Could you see yourself working in the design, fabrication, or production aspect within the field? We need more women in those roles. Perhaps your skills are in sales, marketing, human resources, or information technology. Those roles are also vital to manufacturing companies and we need more women there as well. Whether you are planning your first career or considering a career change, consider the field of manufacturing. And consider starting that journey at Waubonsee Community College where we offer numerous certificate and degree options that lead to careers within the field. This includes Automation, Computer-Aided Design and Drafting, Machine Tool Technology, and Welding, as well as Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources Management, and Cybersecurity.
For those of you working in manufacturing, thank you for your contribution to this vital industry. You are making a difference and we thank you for following your passion and using your skills for this purpose. Your roles are challenging and exciting and we need more women to join your ranks.
