Exploring the Influence of Industry STEM Outreach on Career Perceptions Toward Manufacturing

Manufacturers have expressed concerns about talent shortages, citing the perceptions held by students/parents of the industry as a major contributing factor. At the same time, policymakers/educational leaders continue to call for STEM education programming to maintain competitiveness in such industries. Accordingly, manufacturers have launched STEM outreach initiatives focused on career awareness/interests. However, limited studies have examined how these initiatives influence career perceptions in relation to career development theories. Therefore, this research explored the influence of industry-led STEM outreach on children’s manufacturing career perceptions. The results support the idea of children having a limited understanding of manufacturing, likely stemming from associative learning experiences, as well as there being a potential disconnect between industry needs and educational activities. However, the data indicate that the outreach likely led the participants to an improved understanding/perception of manufacturing. But it is unclear if the influence can drive career goals or provide accurate career outcome expectations.