Faces of Manufacturing | Episode 15 - LCC West

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Faces of Manufacturing is a new show to Michigan Business Network. Cindy Kangas, Executive Director, CAMC, Capital Area Manufacturing Council, Lansing, Michigan, co-hosts with Joy Wagner, HR Manager of Granger Waste Services, also Lansing.

Cindy and Joy strive to share the corporate culture, personal stories, and unique personalities of those making a living in manufacturing today, in Michigan. With that in mind, this month they connected with Guests: Lansing Community College - West Campus - Technical Careers Division.

Hear Cindy, Joy, and their guests discuss trade programs in mechatronics, welding, and manufacturing, sharing career paths, insights, and student success and more in Episode 15 of this show on MBN in the 6-segment SoundCloud Podcast episode shared below.

Michigan Business Network · Faces of Manufacturing | Episode 15 - LCC West - Technical Careers

For this episode they're speaking with

Sid Mosley - manufacturing faculty mechatronics
Program director - Brian Skogheim
Student - Tim Smith was in welding - Now in mfg engineering
Makayla Lee - student Welder.

Questions they anticipated:

Faculty:
What inspired you to pursue a career in the trades?
What advice do you give students who are just starting out in their trade?
What do you see as the biggest opportunities for growth in the trades over the next 5-10 years?
What’s the most rewarding aspect of teaching trades?

Students:
What made you choose a career in the trades, and how did you get started?
What were some misconceptions you had about the trades before you began your education or apprenticeship?
What advice would you give someone considering a career in the trades but unsure where to start?
Where do you see yourself five years from now in your career?

Added Questions for Time

Career Pathways

Can you share your current field of study and what drew you to it?
What career paths have you considered, and how did you decide on your current one?
How has your experience at Lansing Community College shaped your career goals?

Childhood Aspirations

What did you want to be when you grew up, and how does that compare to your current ambitions?
Who or what inspired your early career dreams?

High School Experience

Which high school did you attend, and how did it prepare you for your college experience?
Were there any specific teachers or mentors in high school who influenced your career choices?

Technology and Future Trends

Where do you think technology is headed in your field of study?
How do you see technology impacting the job market in the next five to ten years?
What role do you believe technology will play in your future career?

Balancing Life and School

How do you manage your time between classes, studying, and personal life?
What strategies do you use to stay organized and focused amidst your responsibilities?
Can you share any challenges you've faced balancing school with home life and how you overcame them?

Personal Growth and Development

What has been your biggest personal growth experience at LCC so far?
Are there any extracurricular activities or clubs you participate in that have enriched your college experience?

Future Aspirations

What are your plans after graduating from Lansing Community College?
How do you envision your ideal job or work environment after completing your education?

Advice and Insights

What advice would you give to incoming students about navigating college life?
Looking back, what is one thing you wish you had known before starting your college journey?

Final Thoughts

If you could sum up your college experience in one word or phrase, what would it be and why?

For Teachers

How does the curriculum in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) prepare students for real-world applications?
What advancements in manufacturing engineering and technology are you currently incorporating into your teaching?
Can you discuss how robotics and automation are changing the landscape of technical careers?
What specific skills do you focus on when teaching welding, and how do they apply in the industry?
How do you incorporate hands-on training in your courses, especially in the Technical Training Center?
What partnerships have you established with local manufacturers to enhance the learning experience?
How do you stay updated with industry trends in your field of teaching?
Can you share any success stories of students who have excelled in your programs?
What challenges do you face in keeping the curriculum relevant to fast-evolving technologies?
How do you assess the effectiveness of your teaching methods in preparing students for careers?

For Students

What motivated you to pursue a program at West Campus, particularly in technical fields like CAD or robotics?
How has your experience been with hands-on training at the Center for Manufacturing Excellence?
Can you describe a project that has significantly impacted your learning in welding or automation?
How do you think the job placement support at West Campus prepares you for entering the workforce?
What resources or support systems have been most beneficial during your studies?
How do you feel about the job market for graduates in the Greater Lansing area?
What skills do you think are most valuable for students entering trades after high school?
Can you share your experience with any internships or job placements through the college?
What do you hope to achieve after graduating from your program?
How has studying at a community college shaped your career aspirations?

For Administrators

What strategies does West Campus use to nurture the talent pipeline for local industries?
Can you discuss the importance of the Technical Careers and Community Education divisions in workforce development?
What are the current statistics for students entering trades after high school and their post-secondary success rates in the Greater Lansing area?
How do you evaluate the effectiveness of job placement services for students?
What feedback do you receive from manufacturing partners regarding the skills they need in new hires?
How does the college facilitate partnerships with area manufacturers?
What initiatives are in place to attract students to technical careers at West Campus?
How do you ensure that the programs remain responsive to the needs of local industries?
Can you share insights into the job placement rates for graduates from the Technical Careers programs?
What role do community colleges play in providing accessible education for those starting their career journey?

General Questions for All Groups

How can community colleges, like LCC West Campus, serve as a launchpad for students’ future careers?
What are the benefits of starting a career in trades through community college education versus a four-year university?
How do you think the perception of trades and technical careers has changed in recent years?
What advice would you give to high school students considering a pathway into trades?
How does the collaboration between the Mid-Michigan Police Academy and other divisions enhance student learning?
What future trends do you foresee in manufacturing, and how is West Campus preparing for them?
How do you incorporate industry feedback into program development at West Campus?
What role do alumni play in shaping current students' experiences and opportunities?
Can you discuss the importance of soft skills in technical careers, and how they are integrated into the curriculum?
How does the college engage with the community to promote awareness of technical education opportunities?

Light-Hearted and Fun Questions

If you could have any superpower for a day, what would it be and why?
What’s your favorite childhood memory that always makes you smile?
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and what would you do?
What’s your go-to karaoke song, and do you have any funny stories from singing it?
If you could have dinner with any fictional character, who would it be and what would you talk about?
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received, and who gave it to you?
If you were a character in a movie, what genre would it be, and who would play you?
What’s your favorite family tradition, and why is it special to you?
Do you have a favorite joke or pun you love to share?
What’s one food you could eat every day and never get tired of?
If you could relive any day of your life, which day would it be and why?
What’s your favorite book or movie from childhood that you still enjoy today?
If you could instantly learn any skill or talent, what would it be?
What’s a fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know?
What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend with family or friends?
If you could create a new holiday, what would it celebrate and how would people celebrate it?
What’s the most unusual pet you’ve ever had or would like to have?
If you could swap lives with anyone for a week, who would it be and what would you do?
What’s the best prank you’ve ever pulled or seen someone pull?
If you could time travel to any era, past or future, where would you go and what would you want to see?