Any company is only as good as its people. While advanced technology can expand manufacturing capabilities, humans are still essential to design, program, monitor, and yes, repair, tools like laser cutters, CNC micro machines, 3D Printers and robots.
For many manufacturing jobs, a college degree is not required but skill-specific training is essential. One case in point is our Director of Engineering, Joe Miller.
Joe’s career path was recently featured in a Road Trip Nation program on the Future of Work. What started as a Road Trip around the globe to explore how people find a path in life has become an organization dedicated to helping people find career and life fulfillment. The media company now shares stories about people like Joe to inspire others to explore new opportunities in a variety of fields.
Like many people, Joe struggled to find a career path. He was lucky to have childhood experiences making things with his Dad, which fostered his interest in manufacturing. He tried a few jobs but when a colleague introduced him to Potomac, he saw the potential of working in digital fabrication.
Joe advises people to “Look for the resources that are going to get you to the next thing.” For him, that meant taking college courses while working in production at Potomac to learn new skills. That’s when he realized he had an aptitude for engineering.
Explains Potomac CEO Mike Adelstein, “We like to give people an introduction to manufacturing, so that they can see the career paths available to anyone who wants to learn. Our work is life changing since we create products such as microfluidic and medical devices that are impacting the cost, efficacy and efficiency of healthcare.”
Potomac is always in search of people like Joe who are curious about the world, willing to learn, and can solve problems. His advice from his own career path: “Always give your best and over deliver on your promises. Learn how to take constructive criticism. Be a life-long learner.”
Many careers today don’t require a college degree, but do need digital skills like CAD design, operating a 3D Printer or repairing a robot. For that reason, Potomac takes internships seriously. We have partnered with UMBC, the Fab Lab at CCBC and MICA, all schools near our factory that produce students with digital skills.
As the Future of Work becomes even more driven by new technologies, Potomac is thrilled to give opportunity to people of all walks of life, all education levels and all aspirations. It is by supporting the people in our communities that everyone can thrive.
