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Industry partners can support school programs by working with the teacher to develop, and ultimately deliver, a hands-on activity that reflects the company’s products or one of its high tech operations. Also popular and always a big hit with students, are brief “show- and-tells”, with a product to demonstrate how it is made or tested, or how two components are joined. The students will ask questions and want to touch and try whatever you can bring! Advanced manufacturing as a high tech profession A great partnership action is to beat down the dull and dirty stereotypes once and for all. To keep their globally-competitive edge, modern manufacturers use the most ad- vanced and automated equipment available. Technicians program, operate, and maintain robotic systems to perform process and logistics steps. They help develop elaborate con- trol schemes to maintain product quality and material movement for just-in-time manufac- turing operations. Students often think the military services develop the most cutting-edge technologies, but it is manufacturers that make those technologies a reality. If students want to work at technology's leading edge, they should work in manufacturing. Although today’s youth live in an electronic world and have some sense of computer pro- gramming, directing these students onto a manufacturing career path requires a push that you can provide. They don't realize the huge computing power in manufacturing facilities that connect office computing, cyber security and manufacturing operations together in a common, virtual space. Students that are keenly interested in information technology, will find many opportunities in manufacturing. Advanced manufacturing as a lucrative career It goes without saying that high school students don't totally understand the value of mon- ey, but they certainly have an appreciation of what a “comfortable” lifestyle is. The partner- ship effort on this front is straightforward, with the bonus that it is also a wonderful “bragging” opportunity. Manufacturing companies offer good-to-high salaries. Most jobs in manufacturing are considered “high-wage”, meaning that they pay significantly above the average worker’s salary in all fields. Data supporting this position is available on the “Made in Florida” website. Manufacturers also offer good benefits including medical insur- ance, retirement plans, and tuition reimbursement for work-related education. Manufactur- ing companies offer many opportunities to move within the company to other work areas, allowing employees to find a good fit for themselves and the company, as well as the best opportunities for their future advancement. It’s important for all of us to help our youth un- derstand that there are good wages and benefits to be had, and, therefore, great life- styles available in manufacturing at many different positions. Targeting Girls and Young Women Mentors are especially important for girls and women participating in, or pursuing STEM careers, and particularly in manufacturing. Girls and women are an untapped resource to fill Florida’s manufacturing jobs. In a recent FLATE research study, over 70 percent of in- terest responses received from high school students were from girls. 14