In honor of this month’s “Women in Manufacturing” theme, we are proud to spotlight Jamie C., an alumna of New Century Careers’ MANUFACTURING 2000 (M2K) program and a rising leader in the field.
Jamie’s journey into manufacturing began with a desire to return to the hands-on mechanical work she once thrived in while serving in the U.S. Army. After a decade working in childcare, she wanted to get back to the kind of problem-solving and technical challenges she enjoyed during her military service. That search led her to New Century Careers—and in September 2017, she enrolled in the M2K program.
Her time at NCC laid a solid foundation. “The foundational machining knowledge I gained was very helpful when I started Aerotech’s training program,” she said. “Operating the machines firsthand allowed me to determine if this was a career path I wanted to pursue.”
Jamie’s hard work and dedication quickly paid off. She began her career at Aerotech in an entry-level role, handling deburring, sawing, and assisting throughout the shop. Over time, she progressed through Aerotech’s training program, completed the NTMA theory and instruction training, and earned a leadership position. Just one year later, she advanced into her current role as a department supervisor.
Her day-to-day schedule now includes delegating work, supporting her team, and mentoring new trainees entering the program. For Jamie, one of the most rewarding parts of her job is watching others grow: “I find it particularly rewarding to watch someone progress and improve their machining skills as they advance through the training.”
Navigating a traditionally male-dominated industry hasn’t always been without challenges. Jamie credits her military background with helping her adapt to working environments where women are the minority. “I’ve always found it easy to build relationships with both genders,” she shared. However, she also acknowledged that some people mistakenly attribute her success solely to her gender. Jamie’s strategy has been simple yet powerful: to let her hard work and dedication speak for themselves.
Mentorship now plays a central role in her career. Jamie is committed to supporting the next generation of manufacturing professionals — encouraging not just women, but all trainees. “I hope to inspire the younger generation to pursue careers in manufacturing,” she said.
To women considering a career in manufacturing but feeling hesitant, Jamie offers empowering advice: “Keep in mind that the world has changed; entering a male-dominated work environment doesn’t have to be intimidating. When we focus on the work itself, not on the kind of people doing it, we realize our genders are not as important.”
When asked what it means to her to be a woman thriving in the manufacturing industry today, Jamie answered simply yet powerfully: “It means living in a world where hard work and intelligence are valued more than gender.”
Jamie’s story is a reminder that passion, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence can break barriers and open doors — inspiring more women to forge their own paths in manufacturing.
