Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1531663
70 PCB007 MAGAZINE I JANUARY 2025 At what point did you think of the children's book? About a year aer the terms compendium was published, I received feedback that high school is still too late to begin having conversations about manufacturing. We needed to be reach- ing middle and elementary school students. So, I wrote a rhyming picture book. I thought it would be perfect for parents who work in the industry to share with their children about what they do in a simple and fun way. What do you discuss in this rhyming book? I touch upon some of the more exciting tech- nologies, particularly robots, which seem to be more endearing to students. e book's char- acters have names and are drawn with some humanistic features. It starts with a curious girl looking around her living room and wondering how different things are made: "Who is sitting on the couch? It is our iend, Jada. She is on her parents' Wi-Fi, so she can save their data. Jada starts to wonder, "How are these things made? ings like the sofa, chair, and rug; my phone or the window shade?" Eventually, Jada asks, "How do stores get things to sell? Workers manufacture things. It's a word you need to know." at's how the story unfolds. I like that your main character is female, as encouraging more women into STEM fields is still so important. Manufacturers have long been saying they're struggling to find talent, but perhaps their view of an acceptable employee is too narrow. You have a much greater potential talent pool when you broaden your view. Women have been underrepresented in manufacturing for a long time. at's improving and we want to acceler- ate that. Some ethnic groups are underrepre- sented; displaced retail workers could be can- didates with exposure and retraining. e list goes on. ere are good people in all these pro- fessions and groups, and when you find those good people and bring them in, you turn a cor- ner on the talent war. Mike, you're bridging both the skill and awareness gaps around manufacturing careers, and both are sorely needed. Do you have any closing thoughts? ese problems are not insurmountable, but they require work, flexibility of thought, and a willingness to try new things. But that's the spirit of work—and the spirit of our country. Let's just get it done. Well said. Thank you, Mike. PCB007