By Nasir Brown
This summer, I had the opportunity to work as an intern at Catalyst Connection, where I explored different career pathways in manufacturing. One of my visits was to New Century Careers (NCC), a nonprofit that provides technical skills training and helps people like me—and many others—find their place in the manufacturing industry.
While I was at NCC, I interviewed two students, Jaden and Kioshi. Both of them already had some experience in manufacturing and are now using NCC to take their careers even further.
I spoke with Jaden first. He told me that although the material was tough in the beginning, once he got into it, everything became easier to understand. He said he’s retaining the information he learns at NCC and knows it will be useful in the future. Even though he’s participated in other programs, Jaden said NCC has made him even more interested in manufacturing because he’s learning something new every single day.
Next, I talked with Kioshi, who first started in manufacturing at a company called Aerotech. Thanks to his background and school experience, the work at NCC feels more manageable for him. When I asked about safety, he described it as “top tier,” which shows just how much NCC prioritizes protecting its students while they learn.
What stood out to me is how programs like NCC can truly change people’s lives. Some students didn’t even know much about manufacturing before joining, but now they’ve found a career path that excites them. The training, the skills, and the connections people gain here really do open doors to success.
For me, visiting NCC showed that there’s a place in manufacturing for everyone—it’s just a matter of finding where you fit in.
So, when will you find yours?