Members of the Marketing and College and Career classes at Alma High School had the unique opportunity to visit Rheem Manufacturing on January 30, 2025, where they gained first-hand insights into the skills and career opportunities in the manufacturing industry. During the field experience, students toured the facility and engaged with professionals who demonstrated the range of technical skills needed to succeed in the field.
The visit highlighted key areas such as engineering, production, sales, human resources, AI use, and maintenance, offering students a view of Rheem's day-to-day operations. Industry experts shared their career journeys, the technical certifications or skill sets required for job openings, and the evolving skills needed to thrive in the manufacturing sector.
"From this field experience, I learned that there is a lot of teamwork, hard work, and communication skills that go into a career opportunity," said Marketing student, Leticia Gardner. "I learned that a business degree can be useful for working at Rheem,” shared Jelena Boulay. “This applies to me because I want to earn a business degree in college."
By connecting classroom instruction with job opportunities, this field experience reinforces the importance of career and technical education in preparing students for successful careers in high-demand industries like manufacturing.