Inside ICI


A Call to Mentorship By Joseph E. Fritz, Executive Director T


he ICI has a long-standing tradition of working with high school and college


students in support of


offering guidance on their career choice considerations, while simultaneously addressing industry sustainability needs. Our efforts at the high school level have been met with success, as a number of these students did go on to major in a field of study related to the investment casting industry.


At the college level, our on-campus role has been less of an introduction to the industry, and more of a guidance session, as these students have already selected their field of study, but have yet to specialize.


In some regards, when you consider


the resources that the ICI and its Members commit to college students, we already have some of the key elements of a mentorship program.


In addition


to campus visits, the ICI supports internships by sponsoring an industry intern annually, by awarding intern scholarships to top students having completed meaningful projects at an ICI Member facility and by inviting students to provide us with their resumes in pursuit of intern and full-time positions. The ICI also offers students the opportunity to attend the annual Technical Conference & Expo at rates well below Institute cost, and for those students willing to assist the ICI staff in running the event, attendance is


4 ❘ October 2021 ®


High School Students – The Unmet Needs When considering


student needs, it


is important to recognize that not all high school students go onto higher education. In fact, I have often spoken to groups of students that have plans to directly enter the workforce, some with the intent of going back to school, others with no such desire. The presentation materials that we


have been using were originally designed for the college bound student. With the passage of time and the development of a better understanding of student plans, we have introduced new materials to address the role of the hourly worker, but I fear that this falls short of providing


complimentary. Like our Members, we have developed relationships with many of these students and have spent time counseling them, discussing career opportunities, reviewing resumes and in some cases, conducting mock interviews to help them hone their skills. Clearly, we have a good structure for a formalized mentorship program to address the needs of university students, but our efforts at the high school level appear to be lacking. In consideration of the growing labor crisis with which we are confronted, it is imperative that we address the unmet needs of these students, encouraging them to pursue opportunities in our industry.


these students with the exposure they need to pursue opportunities in the industry.


Another factor to consider is that


high school students directly entering the workforce have a much lower propensity to relocate for their first job. For this reason, each interaction with them should be tailored to highlight local business opportunities. Though we always reference nearby Member foundries and suppliers, the materials presented in the classroom have a tendency to fall short of achieving the desired results. We have had better results with college bound juniors and seniors, especially with those demonstrating strong aptitudes for science and mathematics.


Those with a keen


interest in the industry have contacted the ICI to further explore career choices, appropriate courses of study and universities selection. Yet, to my knowledge, only a small number of these have actually gone on to pursue a career in investment casting. It is my belief that if we are to consistently attract young people to the industry, our efforts are in need of enhancement, and coordination between the ICI, the industry and the schools/universities


is a critical factor


for success. For this reason, the ICI is taking steps to develop a mentorship program that addresses the needs of high


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