Celebrating Manufacturing Through Generations
By Sara Hanks, President & CEO, NWIRC
October is Manufacturing Month, and for me, it is more than just a celebration of industry. It is a celebration of family and legacy. My grandfather and father both built their careers at Xerox. My grandfather began as a drafter and rose to become a Data Resource Manager. He was one of the early voices warning about the year 2000 issue when companies were only using two digits for dates. My father worked as an Industrial Engineer, designing the processes to make copiers and printers. My mother also found her path in manufacturing as a programmer in the IT department of a book manufacturer. Some of my earliest and fondest memories are from Xerox family days, when we toured the plant and made crafts out of colorful, freshly printed paper. Those experiences stuck with me.
I saw how math and science could be applied in a tangible way, which inspired me to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. That influence continues in the next generation. All four of my children are pursuing STEM careers, with a strong chance that they will also find their way into manufacturing. One of my daughters, for example, has been interning at McDowell Manufacturing (at McDowell High School in Erie) where she is learning to run CNC machines and inspect parts on a CMM. In our family, the narrative has always been that if you put your energy into what excites you, meaningful career opportunities will follow. This is why I believe so strongly in creating experiences that open doors for students. At NWIRC, with funding support we focus on programming that does exactly that. Through our Talent Stream initiatives, we’ve partnered with manufacturers in Crawford, Warren, Venango, and Clarion counties to produce Manufacturing in Motion video tours. These tours give students a firsthand look into local industries and careers, and the chance to connect directly with employees.
Our support of Student-Run Manufacturing Enterprises go even further, giving high school students the chance to run every aspect of a business while making real parts for real companies. To date, NWIRC has helped eight schools launch their own programs. This month, NWIRC is again proud to support the Manufacturer & Business Association as they host Manufacturing Day at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center on October 8. It is a signature event that brings together students, educators, and manufacturers to celebrate the future of our industry. Throughout October, we are also encouraging companies across Northwest and North Central PA to participate in NWIRC’s Manufacturing Family Day by opening their doors to families of their employees. These experiences spark curiosity, build connections, and inspire the next generation to see themselves in this work. If your company would like to get involved, contact NWIRC’s Tara Lawrence (tlawarence@nwirc.org) to learn more about our initiatives.
Manufacturing Month is about honoring the past, celebrating the present, and preparing for the future. For me, it has always been a family story, and now I am proud to help other families begin theirs.
Photo: Sara and her daughter, Leila, at a Women in Manufacturing (WiM) event earlier this year.