November 8, 2024
October was Manufacturing Month, and what better way to celebrate than by highlighting the remarkable professionals who make our industry thrive?
From experienced supervisors to skilled instructors, Pearl River Community College Workforce Training spotlighted six individuals who represent the diverse roles and career paths available in manufacturing. Hear their stories and the advice they have for those considering a career in this dynamic field.
The Backbone of Industry: Celebrating Our Skilled Workforce
The manufacturing sector in South Mississippi owes its strength and vitality to its skilled workforce. Individuals like Shonica Blackston, Deontae Haynes, David Pearce, and Trevor Smith embody the expertise and commitment driving innovation in today’s manufacturing sector.
From overseeing production lines to fabricating key components, these professionals are integral in ensuring quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement. Their work sustains the local economy and exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and excellence that fuels the region’s manufacturing success.
Shonica Blackston – Wall/Roof Fabricator, Johnson Controls
Meet Shonica Blackston, a Wall/Roof Fabricator with Johnson Controls with 4 years of experience in the manufacturing industry. Check out her journey and insights below!
What made you want to get into Manufacturing?
I like working with my hands. I like building & putting things together. I thought it would be an interesting field to pursue. Once I started, I continued & started learning more & trying new trades.
What is something you think most people don’t know or understand about the Manufacturing Industry?
I think the manufacturing industry is pretty much like putting a puzzle together. Building different parts & bringing the parts together. Although we are in different departments, we work together to build multiple masterpieces.
What is your favorite aspect of your job?
Having the opportunity of creating & being a part of something people use every day
What advice would you give someone who is interested in working in the Manufacturing industry?
Be open. Be flexible. Pay attention to details because anything you miss could mess up the next phase for another department or person.
Deontae Haynes – Production Coordinator, Western Container Corporation
Meet Deontae Haynes, a Production Coordinator for Western Container Corporation, located in the Forrest County Industrial Park. WCC is one of the bottle manufacturers for Coca-Cola bottlers. It is WCC’s largest facility, producing 3 billion preforms and 1 billion bottles annually.
What kind of jobs have you worked in Manufacturing?
Plywood Supervisor, Plywood press Operator, and a Coil Winder and Lacer, Currently a Production Coordinator.
What made you want to get into Manufacturing?
I never knew once I finished college that I would get into manufacturing, I guess you can say that God just placed me in it, but it offers great benefits and a huge opportunity for career growth.
What is something you think most people don’t know or understand about the Manufacturing Industry?
A lot of people tend to think that manufacturing consists of assembly lines and repetitive labor, but the truth of the matter today’s manufacturing requires workers that are high skilled and have a certain level of expertise in the area they are working in. That’s why with most big-time manufacturing companies it’s required for you to have a degree.
What is your favorite aspect of your job?
This role I am in now gives me the opportunity to connect with and lead a bunch of different personalities, I would say the best part is being able to connect and work with my crew and build a foundation and relationship off trust.
What advice would you give someone who is interested in working in the Manufacturing industry?
Be able to have enough humility to always learn, NEVER think you know it all. If you are in a leadership position, remember your job is to not be in charge but to take care of the people in your charge. QUALITY OVER QUANTITY. Always focus on developing strong technical skills. The most valuable thing you can have are people skills. Always be a good communicator and problem solver, that alone will take you a long way in this profession.
David Pearce – Production Supervisor, Johnson Controls
Meet David Pearce, a Production Supervisor with Johnson Controls with 47 years of experience in the manufacturing industry.
What kind of jobs have you worked in Manufacturing?
I have worked or helped in most all departments. Some welding, painting, wall fabrication, sheet metal fabrication, unit assembly & floor leadership.
What made you want to get into Manufacturing?
At first it was going to be temporary but the more I did, the more I enjoyed it. Then when I made it to department supervision that was it, I realized I was meant to be here.
What is something you think most people don’t know or understand about the Manufacturing Industry?
Most people don’t know or realize the stress factor that the workforce has trying to meet or exceed customers’ expectations while battling the “little fires” along the way.
What is your favorite aspect of your job?
All of it, but if I had to pick one it would be the tremendous feeling of accomplishment when all expectations are met.
What advice would you give someone who is interested in working in the Manufacturing industry?
Do your research, try not to take a job just to make money. Find one that challenges you & you will get tremendous job satisfaction. Keep a positive attitude, do your best. It will get noticed by everyone.
Trevor Smith – Maintenance Technician at Berry Global
Meet Trevor Smith, a Maintenance Technician at Berry Global with nearly nine years of experience in manufacturing.
What kind of jobs have you worked in Manufacturing?
Electronics Technician with Howard Industries
Process Technician and Maintenance Technician with Berry Global
What made you want to get into Manufacturing?
I found the process of taking individual raw materials and combining them in such a way that they become a product consumers can use in their everyday lives.
What is something you think most people don’t know or understand about the Manufacturing Industry?
There is more precision required in the setup of the equipment to allow high speed, mass production to be possible than most people think. If your setup is more than .001 of an inch off, in some situations, the equipment will not run at all.
What is your favorite aspect of your job?
I would say the satisfaction of tearing down a broken piece of equipment to an empty shell, rebuilding it, and having it work exactly how it’s supposed to.
What advice would you give someone interested in working in the Manufacturing industry?
Don’t beat yourself up if, after 3-6 months, you still don’t understand what’s going on or are still struggling with the job. This is an extremely fast-paced industry and the amount of moving parts involved can be overwhelming at times. Pay attention and learn as much as you can about how certain manufacturing equipment is supposed to run, and it will make it easier for you to spot when a malfunction begins so you can correct it before it becomes catastrophic.
Educating for Excellence: The Foundation of South Mississippi’s Manufacturing Future
In South Mississippi, the key to manufacturing excellence lies in quality education. PRCC Instructors like Dustin Chambliss and Robby Shaw are dedicated to preparing the next generation of skilled professionals. Students gain hands-on experience and the technical expertise needed to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving manufacturing environment.
PRCC’s comprehensive Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways and Workforce Training initiatives are not just creating successful careers; they are securing the future of our region’s vital manufacturing sector.
Dustin Chambliss – Electronics Technology Instructor
Meet Dustin Chambliss, Instructor of Electronics Technology at Pearl River Community College, who has 12 years of experience in the manufacturing industry.
What kind of jobs have you worked in Manufacturing?
Originally, I worked in Alpha and Beta testing for the offshore oil and gas industry. Once I left that route, I moved to manufacturing and production. Most of my time was spent as an engineering tech in machining plants, as well as consulting and subcontracting to various food production facilities. I spent a good portion of that time troubleshooting and implementing robotic systems and automation processes. I now teach the electronics program, am taking over the biomedical repair program, and assist with the industrial maintenance program.
What made you want to get into Manufacturing?
I certainly was intrigued by the pay rate, but in addition to salary, I like the challenge, or as I refer to it with my students, the “puzzles” that we get on a daily basis. I would have a hard time staying in a career that did the same thing every day.
What is something you think most people don’t know or understand about the Manufacturing Industry?
How modern it’s becoming. Most people, I think, see the old days of manual labor and 1950’s factory jobs. Really, most manufacturing positions are becoming IT, programming, and data acquisition-type jobs. We’ve really moved to a place where most factories are nearly completely automated, climate-controlled, WIFI-equipped, and managed by a bunch of engineering guys like myself.
What is your favorite aspect of your job?
Definitely the constant changes and challenges. For instance, if I speed a machine up by 20%, I get a much higher product yield, but what does that do to downtime? Is the trade-off worth it? It’s such a data-driven industry, which just happens to be something I enjoy.
What advice would you give someone who is interested in working in the Manufacturing industry?
Talk to someone in the industry. What you think the job is probably isn’t anywhere close to what it’s actually like. Do some research into how many different positions are available. Right now, the industry is in desperate need of skilled tradespeople—electricians, engineers, machinists, mechanics, programmers, network professionals. It’s all on the table now, and the jobs are there for the taking.
Robby Shaw – Precision Machining Instructor
Meet Robby Shaw, a Precision Machining and Manufacturing Instructor at Pearl River Community College with 28 years of experience in the industry.
What kind of jobs have you worked in Manufacturing?
Manual Machinist, CNC Machinist, and a Shop Foreman at Cuevas Machine Company
What made you want to get into Manufacturing?
My brother was a machinist, and I was offered a Vocational Scholarship to Pearl River.
What is something you think most people don’t know or understand about the Manufacturing Industry?
What all has to happen and take place to manufacture things from raw material. The design of how things work together on paper to being able to make it work in real life. The people that make the parts are just as important as the people engineering them.
What is your favorite aspect of your job?
Robby: I would say my favorite aspect now is teaching students how to manufacture parts and design their own things to build.
What advice would you give someone who is interested in working in the Manufacturing industry?
You never stop learning. Technology is always improving our industry, and there is more than one way to skin a cat for say, meaning there is more than one way to do some things.
Get a Start in Manufacturing
Whether you’re just starting your journey or looking to level up your skills, Pearl River Community College offers comprehensive training programs to help you succeed in the dynamic manufacturing industry.
From hands-on experience in Precision Machining to specialized training in Electronics Technology, our Career and Technical Education pathways are designed to provide you with the technical expertise and real-world skills needed to excel.
Workforce Training options include the Pine Belt Works Manufacturing Skills program and a 10-month electrician training program, providing students with hands-on experience and industry certifications for successful careers.
Explore the opportunities available and take the first step toward a rewarding career today—your future in manufacturing starts here at PRCC!
For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats), Instagram (PRCCWILDCATS), Facebook (@PRCCMKTG), and TikTok (@prcc_wildcats).
Article by Rebekah Jackson and Laura O’Neill.
