Aerospace Industry Jobs Description, Careers in the Aerospace Industry, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Industry, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

The aerospace industry consists of firms that manufacture and assemble aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. It is a large industry that, according to the Aerospace Industries Association, employed 466,000 people in 2006. Of these, 390,000 worked in the aircraft and parts sector, and 76,000 were in the guided missiles, space vehicles, and parts sector. Many federal government workers are involved in…

6 minute read

Aluminum and Copper Industries Job Descriptions, Careers in the Aluminum and Copper Industries, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Industry, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Aluminum and copper are important metals with many uses. Besides aluminum foil and copper wire, these two metals are fashioned into many other products that are used in industries such as aerospace and construction. Aluminum and copper are nonferrous metals—that is, metals that do not contain iron. Other nonferrous metals include lead, tin, gold, silver, and zinc. Aluminum and copper plants…

7 minute read

Apparel Industry Job Descriptions, Careers in the Apparel Industry, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Industry, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

The apparel industry makes clothing and related products, including men's, women's, and children's outerwear, underwear, sleepwear, bathing suits, hats, hosiery, furs, and many other items. In 2004 nearly 41 percent of the approximately 701,000 people employed in the industry helped to produce wearing apparel. The others were involved in the production of articles such as bed …

8 minute read

Apparel Workers Job Description, Career as an Apparel Workers, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training None Salary Varies—see profile Employment Outlook Poor Apparel workers cut and sew fabric and other materials into clothing. Most apparel workers work in textile manufacturing plants. These workers perform one task in the production of many garments, rather than performing all the tasks required to produce a piece of clothing. There are many steps in making a piece of…

3 minute read

Assembler and Fabricator Job Description, Career as an Assembler and Fabricator, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training None Salary Varies—see profile Employment Outlook Poor Assemblers and fabricators piece together the different parts of manufactured products such as cars, television sets, and airplanes. They read detailed blueprints to learn how to assemble a product. They then use hand tools or machines to complete the project. Assemblers and fabricators work in all kinds of manufa…

5 minute read

Audiovisual Materials

The following titles include, where possible, the developer's name and location or else the name and location of a distributor. Audiovisual titles may be available through several distributors. Career Advantage: Strategies for Success series. Video, guide. Princeton, NJ: Films Media Group. Career Clusters series. Video. Charleston, WV: Cambridge Educational. Career Exploration series. Video…

3 minute read

Automotive Industry Job Descriptions, Careers in the Automotive Industry, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Industry, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

The automotive industry produces passenger cars, vans, sport utility vehicles, trucks, buses, and recreational vehicles such as campers. It is one of the nation's largest and most important manufacturing industries, employing about 1.1 million people in 2004. Most of the workers in the industry work in the Great Lakes area, especially in Michigan. However, automotive plants are also found i…

7 minute read

Beverage Industry Worker Job Description, Career as a Beverage Industry Worker, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: High school diploma preferred Average Salary: $48,000 per year Job Outlook: Very good Beverage industry workers in this specific field specialize in bottling beveraged goods such as soda, wine, and beer and ship them out of the factory for distribution. Work is similar to an assembly line and very routine, typically operating machinery that dispenses the liquid into a bottl…

5 minute read

Bindery Worker Job Description, Career as a Bindery Worker, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Training/Educational Requirements: High school diploma Median Salary: $13.99 per hour Job Prospects: Good A bindery worker sets up and operates binding machines. These machines are used to produce books and other printed materials or publications. The work is commonly done through machines the bindery worker must operate and supervise. In some instances, however, the binding work is actually done …

4 minute read

Boilermaker Job Description, Career as a Boilermaker, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training High school Salary Median—$21.68 per hour Employment Outlook Good Boilermakers assemble, install, and repair boilers, vats, and other large vessels. Boilers hold liquids and pressurized gases that are used in many industries. Boilers supply steam to drive turbines in ships and electric power plants. They are also used to provide heat and power in buildings. Large vess…

4 minute read

Bookbinder Job Description, Career as a Bookbinder, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: High school Salary: Median—$13.71 per hour Employment Outlook: Poor A bookbinder turns the large printed sheets that come off printing presses into books, magazines, brochures, catalogs, calendars, or loose-leaf folios. Bindery work may include cutting, perforating, folding, and collating sheets, or it may require sewing or pasting together folded sets of pages, �…

4 minute read

Books

American Salaries and Wages Survey, 8th ed., Helen S. Fisher. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2005. America's Fastest Growing Jobs: Detailed Information on the 140 Fastest Growing Jobs in Our Economy, 8th ed., Michael Farr. Indianapolis, IN: JIST Publishing, 2004. America's Top 101 Jobs for College Graduates, 6th ed., Michael Farr. Indianapolis, IN: JIST Publishing, 2005. America…

15 minute read

Brewer Job Description, Career as a Brewer, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training:? College degree in science required. Salary: Median? $46,000 annually Employment Outlook:? Fair Brewers are primarily responsible for making beer. They are involved with the entire process of creating alcoholic beverages and fuels. Their chief duties include selecting and checking the malted barley or grain which will be used in the preparation of a particular kind of beer,…

4 minute read

Candy Manufacturing Worker Job Description, Career as a Candy Manufacturing Worker, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: High School Salary: Median—$21,420 per year Employment Outlook: Poor More than two thousand different kinds of candy are produced in the United States. Among the most popular are chocolates, licorice, gumdrops, hard candy and lollipops, and peanut candies. Candy manufacturing workers work in either wholesale or retail plants. Wholesale manufacturers make most of the …

4 minute read

Ceramics Industry Job Descriptions, Careers in the Ceramics Industry, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Industry, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Ceramics is a general term applied to many kinds of products made from clay and similar materials processed at high temperatures. Many ceramic products are whitewares—for example, bathroom fixtures, floor and wall tile, pottery, dinnerware, and electrical insulators. The process of making ceramic products begins with the digging of clay in large quantities. Power shovel operators scoop it f…

7 minute read

Computer Control Operator Job Description, Career as a Computer Control Operator, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training Varies—see profile Salary Median—$14.75 per hour Employment Outlook Good Computer control operators use computer-controlled machines to cut metal, plastic, or glass precisely, shaping a finished part or product. They perform tasks using computer-controlled machinery that previously were done by human operators, such as drilling, cutting, milling, grinding, and …

4 minute read

Computer Control Programmer Job Description, Career as a Computer Control Programmer, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training Varies—see profile Salary Median—$19.31 per hour Employment Outlook Good Computer control programmers carefully plan and prepare the process of using computer numerically controlled machines to cut metal, plastic, or glass precisely, shaping a finished part or product. First, they review three-dimensional blueprints of a part. Next, they calculate the operation…

3 minute read

Computer Software

The following titles include, where possible, the developer's name and location or else the name and location of a distributor. Software titles may be available through several distributors. Ace the Interview: The Multimedia Job Interview Guide. CD-ROM. Charleston, WV: Cambridge Educational. Adams Media Job Bank Fast Resume Suite. CD-ROM for Windows. Avon, MA: Adams Media. Barron's P…

1 minute read

Confectionery Industry Worker Job Description, Career as a Confectionery Industry Worker, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training High school diploma Average Salary $45,000 Job Outlook Good Confectionery industry workers are often employed in factories and bakeries that create chocolate, gum, dessert toppings, popcorn, soda syrups, potato chips and other varieties of snack foods that are distributed to restaurants, stores, bakeries and other establishments all around the world. Factory workers in the c…

4 minute read

Coremaker Job Description, Career as a Coremaker, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: High school diploma in science-related subjects Salary Median: $28,700 per year Employment Outlook: Fair Coremakers are responsible for making sand or wax molds, or cores, that are used in foundries for the production of metal castings. They use different casting and molding methods to create cores in various shapes and sizes. Coremakers are an integral part of the foundry …

3 minute read

Engineering Design and Production Job Description, Career as an Engineering Design and Production, Salary, Employment

Directory—Institutions Offering Career Training

The information in this directory was generated from the IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) database of the U.S. Department of Education. It includes only regionally or nationally accredited institutions offering postsecondary occupational training in manufacturing. Because college catalogs and directories of colleges and universities are readily available elsewhere, this direc…

55 minute read

Drafter Job Description, Career as a Drafter, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training High school plus two years of training Salary Median—$39,190 to $43,180 per year Employment Outlook Fair Drafters, who are sometimes called computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) specialists, prepare technical drawings and plans. These plans are used by production and construction workers to build products such as toys, coffee makers, machinery, airplanes, houses, …

5 minute read

Electronics Industry Job Descriptions, Careers in the Electronics Industry, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Industry, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Electronic devices are used in every sector of the modern economy. The industry employs over a million people in developing, manufacturing, and selling electronic equipment and devices. Plants manufacturing such equipment are located all over the country, although most of them are in eight states: California, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Indiana, New Jersey, and Texas. About 34…

5 minute read

Electroplating Worker Job Description, Career as a Electroplating Worker, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: High School Diploma Average Salary: $32,000 Annually Job Outlook: Good An electroplating worker is a general labor and sometimes entry level position. It does however involve a great deal of effort and attention to detail. An electroplating worker works to either load or unload electroplating equipment or may even work to assist the plater directly. They fasten metal pieces…

4 minute read

First-Line Supervisor Job Description, Career as a First-Line Supervisor, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training Varies—see profile Salary Median—$21.51 per hour Employment Outlook Poor First-line supervisors are employed in all industries to direct production workers in the making or assembling of manufactured goods. Their chief responsibility is to ensure that the production process is carried out according to the goals set by their company's managers and enginee…

6 minute read

Food Canning and Freezing Worker Job Description, Career as a Food Canning and Freezing Worker, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: None Salary: Varies—see profile Employment Outlook: Fair Food canning and freezing workers prepare and package food in cans, glass containers, and cartons. They process fresh food by machine or by hand, prepare the cans, jars, and frozen packages, and fill the containers. After the raw food is delivered to the food processing plant, washer operators air blast or wash…

4 minute read

Food Processing Occupations Job Description, Career as a Food Processing Occupations, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: On-the-job training Salary: Median- $22, 701 per year Employment Outlook: Fair Modern food processing industries use a variety of techniques to preserve food, maintain its consistency, facilitate its availability throughout the year, and also improve flavor. In addition, marketing and distribution of food is made much easier by food processing. The industry is vast and extr…

4 minute read

Food Processing Technician Job Description, Career as a Food Processing Technician, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: Two-year college Salary: Varies—see profile Employment Outlook: Good About three-fourths of the food sold in stores in this country has been processed or cooked to some extent before the consumer buys it. Food processing plants employ food processing technicians, who work in laboratories and as salespeople. Food processing technicians also work as inspectors for stat…

4 minute read

Food Science Technician Job Description, Career as a Food Science Technician, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: Varies—see profile Salary: Median—$14.29 per hour Employment Outlook: Good Food science technicians provide valuable assistance to food scientists and technologists in the areas of research and development, production technology, and quality control. They conduct tests to determine the physical or chemical properties of food or beverages to ensure compliance w…

2 minute read

Food Scientist Job Description, Career as a Food Scientist, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: College Salary: Median—$49,610 per year Employment Outlook: Fair Food scientists work in the food processing industry. Educated in nutrition, biology, and chemistry, food scientists use their knowledge to improve methods of processing, canning, freezing, storing, packaging, and distributing food. Most food scientists work in the research and development departments o…

2 minute read

Food Technologist Job Description, Career as a Food Technologist, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training Bachelor?s degree Average Salary $63,000 per year Job Outlook Very good A food technologist, otherwise known as a food scientist, is someone who works in the food processing industry and works to help develop healthy, safe, and convenient food products. They continually work to develop better methods of food preservation, better processing and packaging procedures, better st…

4 minute read

Forge Shop Worker Job Description, Career as a Forge Shop Worker, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training High school diploma or specialized training Average Salary $50,000 Job Outlook Good Forge shop workers work in a factory that shapes metals through hammering, pressing, and squeezing techniques. They will create and shape metal products for virtually any need, but will do it without weakening the metal through melting or molding. Forge shop workers require extreme precision …

4 minute read

Foundry Industry Job Descriptions, Careers in the Foundry Industry, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Industry, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Pots and pans, bathtubs, and automobile engine blocks are among the many kinds of products made by casting metals in foundries. There are several methods of shaping metals. The method used depends on the kind of metal and the intended use of the finished product. Casting is a relatively simple and inexpensive method that can produce intricate shapes and that can be easily adapted to the techniques…

6 minute read

Furniture Designer Job Description, Career as a Furniture Designer, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training Bachelor?s degree Average Salary $58,000 per year Job Outlook Good Furniture designers specialize in designing furniture for manufacturers. They design couches, chairs, tables, shelves, and decorative accents for furniture pieces. They have knowledge of design trends, competitive prices and the ability to meet specific needs of manufacturers and other clients. Furniture desi…

5 minute read

Furniture Industry Job Descriptions, Careers in the Furniture Industry, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Industry, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Tables, sofas, desks, and filing cabinets are just some of the products manufactured by the furniture industry for use in homes, schools, offices, hospitals, and retail stores. Furniture factories are found in many areas of the country, although the Southeast is a principal center of the industry. Many different kinds of workers are needed to make furniture. The specific jobs depend on the kind of…

4 minute read

General

Career Ideas for Teens in Manufacturing, Diane Lindsey Reeves and Gail Karlitz. New York: Ferguson, 2005. Careers in Focus: Manufacturing, 2nd ed. Chicago: Ferguson, 2002. Expert Resumes for Manufacturing Careers: Engineering, Management, Executive, Operations, Production, and Technology, Wendy S. Enelow and Louise M. Kursmark. Indianapolis, IN: JIST Works, 2002. Manufacturing and Distribution U.S…

less than 1 minute read

Gettig Into Manufacturing Job Description, Career as a Gettig Into Manufacturing, Salary, Employment - PLANNING YOUR CAREER, EVALUATE SPECIFIC JOBS, FINDING JOB OPPORTUNITIES, MARKETING YOURSELF, PRESENTING YOURSELF IN AN INTERVIEW

Good jobs do not magically appear. Anyone who has been in the job market knows that landing the right job takes planning, preparation, perseverance, and patience. This is true whether you are looking for your first job, reentering the job market, trying to get a new job, or planning a mid-career change. This essay is designed to guide you through the process of finding a job, from helping you defi…

44 minute read

Glass Industry Job Descriptions, Careers in the Glass Industry, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Industry, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Glass is used in many ways and forms. It is used in making eyeglasses, tableware, lightbulbs, windows, television tubes, and cookware. Glass tubes are used in the fabrication of laser light conductors. In the form of tiny fibers, glass is used for insulators, capacitors, and other electronic components. Ultrapure glass fiber is used to make fiber-optic cable for telecommunications companies and th…

6 minute read

Gunsmith Job Description, Career as a Gunsmith, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training High school plus training Salary $18,000 to $35,000 per year Employment Outlook Good Gunsmiths repair and modify firearms to blueprint and customer specifications. In their work, gunsmiths use hand tools and machines such as grinders, planers, and millers. They may restore antique guns, convert old rifles to up-to-date firearms, or adapt factory-made rifles to the special ne…

3 minute read

Heat Treater Job Description, Career as a Heat Treater, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: Training Required Average Salary: $15/hour Job Outlook: Good A heat treater works to set up and operate various heating equipment. This requires specialized training as they must know how all of the equipment works and how it?s supposed to function. They are responsible for repair and many other things that are associated with these machines. They work with heat-treating fu…

4 minute read

Industrial Chemical Industry Job Descriptions, Careers in the Industrial Chemical Industry, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Industry, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

The industrial chemical industry makes chemical products that are used by other industries to make plastics, paint, explosives, and thousands of other products. The industry makes chemical products from a variety of raw materials, including coal, oil, plants, salts, and minerals. Chemical products are also used to manufacture steel, glass, detergents, cosmetics, drugs, and film. The industrial che…

6 minute read

Industrial Designer Job Description, Career as an Industrial Designer, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training College Salary Median—$52,310 per year Employment Outlook Good Industrial designers work to improve the appearance, safety, and usefulness of industrial products. They develop new styles and designs for a wide variety of products ranging from ballpoint pens and stoves to automobiles and electronics. Since manufacturing firms in the United States produce such a wide va…

3 minute read

Industrial Engineer Job Description, Career as an Industrial Engineer, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training College Salary Median—$65,020 per year Employment Outlook Good Industrial engineers determine the most effective ways to use the basic factors of production—people, machines, materials, information, and energy—to make a product. They are primarily concerned with increasing productivity through the management of people, methods of business organization, a…

4 minute read

Industrial Engineering Technician Job Description, Career as a Industrial Engineering Technician, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training Associate?s degree Average Salary $53,000 per year Job Outlook Fair Industrial engineering technicians study and record methods involved in the performance, maintenance, clerical, production and other operations involved in the process of how a business is run. They observe these practices to evaluate them and help determine what a business can do to run smoother and more ef…

4 minute read

Industrial Machinery Maintenance Worker Job Description, Career as an Industrial Machinery Maintenance Worker, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training Varies—see profile Salary Median—$15.79 per hour Employment Outlook Poor A wide range of employees is required to keep sophisticated industrial machinery running smoothly. The tasks done by industrial machinery maintenance workers are those requiring the least skill; however, their work is vital to the success of industrial facilities. An idle machine will dela…

3 minute read

Industrial Machinery Mechanic Job Description, Career as an Industrial Machinery Mechanic, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training Varies—see profile Salary Median—$18.78 per hour Employment Outlook Fair Industrial machinery mechanics are highly skilled workers who keep machinery and other industrial equipment in good working order. They help prevent breakdowns by checking, cleaning, and oiling machine parts regularly. They also fix machines when they break down. They work on cranes, pumps…

4 minute read

Industrial Production Manager Job Description, Career as an Industrial Production Manager, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training College Salary Median—$73,000 per year Employment Outlook Fair Industrial production managers plan, direct, and coordinate the production activities that produce millions of goods every year. They make sure production proceeds smoothly and stays within budget. Depending on the size of the manufacturing plant, industrial production managers may oversee the entire plant…

7 minute read

Industrial Radiographer Job Description, Career as a Industrial Radiographer, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: Completion of Training Program Average Salary: $34,000 Annually Job Outlook: Good An industrial radiographer works to inspect objects and products for flaws, but uses a very specialized source to do so. They use radiation such as that obtained through gamma rays for example to inspect the items in question. They work to take radiographic images of the products in front of t…

4 minute read

List of Industries

Inspector and Tester Job Description, Career as an Inspector and Tester, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training None Salary Varies—see profile Employment Outlook Poor Inspectors and testers check raw materials, parts, and entire products that are being processed in a factory. They must make sure that each product measures up to their company's standards. Most companies try to keep the quality of their products high. They want to be sure that customers are not disappointe…

4 minute read

Instrumentation Technician Job Description, Career as a Instrumentation Technician, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training State license and certification Average Salary $57,000 per year Job Outlook Good Instrumentation technicians set up, test and operate instrumentation and electronic devices that are used in a variety of engineering or medical jobs. They design and repair a variety of instruments that are used for different procedures such as surgeries, mechanical procedures, metalworking, wo…

4 minute read

Internet Sites

About.com http://careerplanning.about.com Beyond.com http://www.beyond.com Jobweb.com http://www.jobweb.com JIST Publishing http://www.jist.com Job Hunt: Online Job Search Guide and Resource Directory http://www.job-hunt.org Vault.com http://www.vault.com Vocational Information Center http://www.khake.com Career Magazine http://www.careermag.com Career Resource Homepage http://www.careerresource.n…

less than 1 minute read

Job Profiles—Advanced Training/Experience

Job Profiles—No Specialized Training

Job Profiles—Some Specialized Training/Experience

Labor Relations Specialist Job Description, Career as a Labor Relations Specialist, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training College Salary Starting—$36,967 per year Employment Outlook Very good Labor relations specialists serve as a link between employees and management. Labor relations is a specialized area of personnel work, sometimes referred to as "industrial relations." In most cases, labor relations specialists work for unionized companies or government agencies. The go…

5 minute read

Leather and Shoe Industries Job Descriptions, Careers in the Leather and Shoe Industries, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Industry, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Leather is animal skin that has been preserved and treated. It is used to make products, including sporting goods, handbags, suitcases, belts, gloves, coats, upholstery, and saddles. However, most of the leather manufactured in this country is used to make shoes. Many different kinds of animal skins or hides are used. Small animals, such as goats and sheep, are said to have "skins," …

7 minute read

Leather Tanning and Finishing Worker Job Description, Career as a Leather Tanning and Finishing Worker, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training High school diploma Average Salary $50,000 per year Job Outlook Good Leather tanning and finishing workers prepare leather hides of animals to manufacture clothing, shoes or other products made out of the material. They work with the hide to dry it out, stretch it, remove any excess animal hair, smooth it, and spray on a finish using chemicals that will turn the leather into…

4 minute read

Lithographic Worker Job Description, Career as a Lithographic Worker, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: High school Salary: Varies—see profile Employment Outlook: Poor Lithographic workers make and prepare metal plates used to print books, magazines, labels, and other items. In lithography, traditionally known as offset printing, pages are photographed and transferred onto metal plates, and then the images are printed onto paper. With advances in technology, the use of…

5 minute read

Looking Into Manufacturing - A LOOK BACK, THE EVOLUTION OF THE FACTORY

As we begin the twenty-first century, the manufacturing industry in the United States is in transition. Some would even say that a crisis is at hand by pointing to the loss of 2.8 million manufacturing jobs between 2000 and 2003, and the mass layoffs that occurred in 2005. More than 14.5 million people still worked in manufacturing at the end of 2005, accounting for about 14 percent of the country…

31 minute read

Machine Operator and Tender Job Description, Career as a Machine Operator and Tender, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training None Salary Varies—see profile Employment Outlook Poor Machine operators and tenders run high-speed machine tools such as drill presses, lathes, milling machines, boring machines, and precision grinding machines used to mass-produce metal and plastic parts. They may have more specific job titles, according to the type of machines with which they work. For example, the…

4 minute read

Machine Setter Job Description, Career as a Machine Setter, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training Varies—see profile Salary Varies—see profile Employment Outlook Poor Machine setters in the metalworking and plastics industries set up machines for operation and production and may adjust the machinery during its operation. Many workers both set up and operate equipment. Because the setup process requires an understanding of the entire production process, sett…

3 minute read

Machinist Job Description, Career as a Machinist, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training Varies—see profile Salary Median—$16.33 per hour Employment Outlook Good Machinists are among the most highly skilled industrial workers. Machinists use power-operated machine tools that mass-produce metal parts and tools. These are precision parts and tools used in building various kinds of engines, machinery, and other products. Unlike less-skilled machine op…

4 minute read

Office Machine and Computer Industry Job Descriptions, Careers in the Office Machine and Computer Industry, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Modern business relies on the use of office machines, computers, and related equipment. From photocopy machines to disc drives, the office machine and computer industry produces the equipment that keeps business, government, and industry going. Many workers in the industry are employed in plants that make computers and related equipment, including optical storage devices, high-speed printers, and …

5 minute read

Orthotic and Prosthetic Technician Job Description, Career as a Orthotic and Prosthetic Technician, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: Bachelor?s Degree Average Salary: $46,000 Annually Job Outlook: Very Good Orthotic and prosthetic technicians work with doctors and other members of medical teams to assist patients in need of artificial limbs or special equipment. They are often responsible for the actual measurement and fitting, and this can be a rather important part of the job itself. Their role is rath…

4 minute read

Varnish Paint and Lacquer Industry Job Descriptions, Careers in the Varnish Paint and Lacquer Industry, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Industry, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Paints, varnishes, and lacquers are known as coatings. They are applied to the surface of many products to provide protection or decoration. Coatings are applied to bridges and buildings, aircraft and automobiles, and house walls and home furnishings. The industry generates approximately $18 billion in revenues and employs more than 50,000 workers. Paints, varnish, and lacquer are made from differ…

6 minute read

Painting and Coating Worker Job Description, Career as a Painting and Coating Worker, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training None Salary Median—$12.64 per hour Employment Outlook Fair Painting and coating workers cover manufactured goods with paint, finish, or other coating solution and are employed by many different kinds of industries. They paint items made of metal or wood—anything from pencils to automobiles. They apply paint, varnish, primer, rust preventive, lacquer, and other …

4 minute read

Paper Industry Job Descriptions, Careers in the Paper Industry, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Industry, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Workers in the paper industry make paper and paper products out of wood, recycled paper, or cloth and other fibrous materials. Although paper mills are found throughout the United States, more than half of the nation's paper and pulp production takes place in the southern states. Many plants specialize in a single step in the paper making process—making pulp from wood, for example. O…

6 minute read

Petroleum Refining Industry Job Descriptions, Careers in the Petroleum Refining Industry, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Industry, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Workers in the petroleum refining industry help turn crude oil into petroleum products that are used to heat buildings, power motor vehicles and machinery, and generate electric power. Petroleum products have many other uses as well. For example, the asphalt used in making and repairing roads is a refined petroleum product. Petrochemicals, which are used by a wide range of industries to make plast…

4 minute read

Pharmaceutical Industry Job Descriptions, Careers in the Pharmaceutical Industry, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Industry, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

The pharmaceutical industry makes products that cure or control diseases and help people live longer and more comfortable lives. Pharmaceuticals include prescription drugs, such as antibiotics and tranquilizers, that are dispensed by pharmacists following a physician's orders. Over-the-counter drugs, such as aspirin The pharmaceutical industry devotes a great deal of time and money …

5 minute read

Photographic Processing Machine Operator Job Description, Career as a Photographic Processing Machine Operator, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: On-the-job training Salary: Median—$9.33 per hour Employment Outlook: Poor Photographic processing machine operators turn the work of photographers into finished prints or slides, and transform photographs by enlarging or retouching them. They use several different machines in the course of this work, including developers, mounting presses, and machines for printing …

3 minute read

Plant Manager Job Description, Career as a Plant Manager, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training High school diploma Average Salary $81,000 per year Job Outlook Fair Plant managers are responsible for managing and overseeing the plant employees and observing departments to make sure they are running smoothly and efficiently. They are responsible for coordinating operations within the plan to make sure work is being done effectively, creating goals for plant production, …

4 minute read

Plastics Industry Job Descriptions, Careers in the Plastics Industry, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Industry, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Although there are many different kinds of plastics, they are all related in their chemical structure. Because plastics are versatile materials, light in weight, and relatively strong, they are used in making kitchen utensils, automobile steering wheels, television cabinets, swimming pools, paint, buttons, fabrics, and countless other products. In the medical field alone, many special plastic prod…

6 minute read

Precision Metal Worker Job Description, Career as a Precision Metal Worker, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training High school diploma or vocational training Average Salary $37,000 per year Job Outlook Very good A precision metal worker works in welding, machining, fabricating and processing in repair and metal work shops. They use a variety of different machines such as milling machines and lathes to produce metal parts for various customers. Some shops produce bulk items for production…

4 minute read

Prepress Worker Job Description, Career as a Prepress Worker, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: High school Salary: Median—$15.30 per hour Employment Outlook: Poor Prepress workers transform written material and pictures into finished pages for lithographers and printers. All the elements of the printed page are assembled in the prepress stage. Words are set in type of the correct size and style in a process known as typesetting, and illustrations and pictures …

4 minute read

Printing Machine Operator Job Description, Career as a Printing Machine Operator, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: High school Salary: Median—$14.38 per hour Employment Outlook: Fair Running the printing machine, or press, is the final stage of the printing process. In this process, the material to be printed is assembled, typeset, and transferred onto metal plates. These plates are placed on the press by the printing press operators. Their basic duties are preparing the press fo…

5 minute read

Quality Control Manager Job Description, Career as a Quality Control Manager, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training Bachelor's or master's degree Salary Median—$71,683 per year Employment Outlook Fair Quality control managers are responsible for maintaining the quality and reliability of products and services. They are employed in fields ranging from aerospace and electronics to chemicals and pharmaceuticals, among many other industries. Some quality control managers …

3 minute read

Resources—General Career Information

Resources—Manufacturing

Rubber Industry Job Descriptions, Careers in the Rubber Industry, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Industry, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Rubber has many uses in the modern world. We wear it, ride on it, play with it, and erase our written mistakes with it. The rubber industry manufactures more than 40,000 different products, including rubber bands, shoe soles, diving suits, and automobile tires. Rubber is used in making paint and floor tile as well as in products such as huge industrial conveyor belts or the tubing used in giving b…

5 minute read

Shipbuilding Industry Job Descriptions, Careers in the Shipbuilding Industry, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Industry, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

The shipbuilding industry builds different kinds of ships for transporting goods and people and for use in the U.S. armed forces. It builds tankers, container ships, icebreakers, submarines, barges, and tugboats. It also constructs aircraft carriers, yachts, and many other kinds of ships and boats. Besides building ships, shipbuilders outfit ships and repair them. There are about twenty-four major…

6 minute read

Manufacturing Industry - Books and Related Reading for Job Descriptions and Careers

The Apparel Industry, 2nd ed., Richard M. Jones. Ames, IA: Blackwell, 2006. Career Opportunities in the Fashion Industry, Peter Vogt. New York: Checkmark Books, 2002. Machine Trades—Machinist, Tool, and Die Maker, CNS: The New Manufacturing Careers for the 21st Century. Chicago: Institute for Career Research, 2005. Opportunities in Laser Technology Careers, Jan Bone and Julie Rigby. New Yor…

less than 1 minute read

Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator Job Description, Career as a Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training High school plus training Salary Median—$44,150 per year Employment Outlook Poor Stationary engineers and boiler operators operate and maintain the equipment used to generate power, heat, air conditioning, and refrigeration in factories and other commercial buildings. The term "stationary" refers to the type of equipment that these engineers operate …

6 minute read

Steel Industry Job Descriptions, Careers in the Steel Industry, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Industry, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

The U.S. economy depends heavily on its steel industry. Thousands of products are made of steel or are processed by steel machinery. Automobile bodies, for example, are made of steel sheets. Steel bars are required to make machine parts and to reinforce highways. Pots and pans, razor blades, and home appliances are all made at least partly of steel. In addition, steel machinery helps to process ou…

9 minute read

Structural Clay Products Industry Job Descriptions, Careers in the Structural Clay Products Industry, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Industry, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Many products are made from clay, which is a plentiful raw material in the United States. Among the most important clay products are those used in the construction industry. Common brick is the most widely used, along with bathroom tile, sewer tile, terra cotta, and firebrick. For many reasons, brick and tile are widely favored in the construction of homes, factories, stores, and public buildings.…

6 minute read

Textile Industry Job Descriptions, Careers in the Textile Industry, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Industry, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

The textile industry is one of the largest industries in the United States; in 2004 it employed about 416,000 people. Most textile mills manufacture clothing, but many produce household linens such as towels, sheets, and tablecloths. Other products include ribbons, webbings, and tapes used to make automobile seat belts and shoulder harnesses, conveyor belts, carpets, draperies, flags, disposable c…

7 minute read

Tool and Die Maker Job Description, Career as a Tool and Die Maker, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training High school plus training Salary Median—$20.55 per hour Employment Outlook Excellent Tool and die makers are highly skilled machinists. They produce tools, dies, and parts of machines used to manufacture a variety of products. Although many workers do both tool and die making, they are actually two different processes. Tool makers build and repair cutting and shaping …

5 minute read

Woodworkers Job Description, Career as a Woodworkers, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: High school Salary: Median? $25,076 per year Employment Outlook: Fair The process of creating something by using wood is known as woodworking. Woodworkers design, carve, and build a wide variety of wood products like musical instruments, furniture, cabinets, tool holders, dressers, and other arts and crafts. Initially, woodworkers used mostly hand tools of different kinds t…

4 minute read

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Forklift Operator

Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Manager

Production Planner

Quality Assurance Manager

Supply Chain Manager

Warehouse Supervisor/Manager