High School Students Discover Manufacturing During Job Shadow Program

A group of select students from Pittsburg High School visited the Bishop-Wisecarver Group facility earlier this month as part of a job shadow program focused on encouraging students to discover careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The BWC team hosted a variety of events for the students which included Q&A sessions with staff, a facility tour, product demos, and on-the-job mentoring.

Students toured the BWC facility with Bud Wisecarver
and Vice President of Manufacturing Aldo DeAmicis

“What’s the hardest part about the job?” asked a student during a group interview with Ali Jabbari, Vice President of Engineering. The students were divided into two groups, one led by Jabbari and the other by Aldo DeAmicis, Vice President of Manufacturing — Jabbari’s hosted discussion was focused on engineering design and all things related to the day-to-day work of the applications engineers.

“Well, the hardest part is the communication of engineering and figuring out how to present the information so that it is understood by others,” Jabbari continued. “The technical part is the easy part.”

Myron and several of his friends standing nearby stood nodding, listening intently. The group convened next with the applications engineers directly.

“What type of education is required for this position?” Another student asked.

“A Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering would probably be the minimum education,” offered Applications Engineer Ariel Oriel. “Both of us, Dan Fletcher and I, have each earned that degree,” Oriel explained.

Fellow Applications Engineer Dan Fletcher went on to describe what the job is like. “We assess and critique customers’ designs, so it’s a lot of problem-solving, and seeing what will work best for the customer — it is hard work, but it’s a lot of fun,” Fletcher explained.

Aldo DeAmicis toured students through the assembly
department, showing wheel plate assemblies

Out on the manufacturing floor, a second group was touring the facility with DeAmicis who described different types of manufacturing to the students; for example, the distinctions between additive and subtractive manufacturing.

After the groups swapped places and met with other members of staff including CAD Designer Donald Wright, a long-standing BWG member of the Engineering Department, students enjoyed a fun-filled lunch held on-site.

“An important aspect of the day for these students, aside from getting to learn engineering and manufacturing, is understanding that manufacturing in this day and age is really a sub-sect of technology,” Barbara Williams explained, Executive Assistant to Bishop-Wisecarver’s President Pamela Kan.

Williams continued, “What most people don’t realize is that there are very few, if any industries, that aren’t linked to manufacturing. And considering how fast technology is moving, the two are merging at a rapid rate.”

To learn more about Bishop-Wisecarver Group’s sponsorship programs, classroom lectures, and facility tours, visit us online at www.bwc.com.