August 15, 2024

A machinist from Forest City Gear presented to students at Rock Valley College’s SMART (Summer Manufacturing and Readiness Technology) Camp this summer. A one-week summer camp for rising 7^th and 8^th graders, SMART Camp enlightens students on the possibilities in careers in Welding, Robotics, and CNC Machining. Forest City Gear CNC Lathe Technician Lucy Mulderink joined for three weeks of the camp, walking students through her career and what Forest City Gear does.

Mulderink led the students through an explanation of lathe use, by sharing videos and sample gears with the group. Students got to feel and interact with gears used on the camera of the Mars Rovers, oil pumps for NASCAR, motorcycles, airplane de-icing machines, and SpaceX projects.

“I love training and teaching those who are interested and eager to learn a career that I am passionate about. The kids asked some very good questions that pertained to the subject… and some that did not, which was fun because they are just kids,” Mulderink says.

“I told them that this is not just an industry for males,” Mulderink added. “It is an industry where anyone willing to learn can step up to the plate. I emphasized that females are encouraged to excel at any of these jobs. It was a very rewarding experience. I know it helped a young adult—especially a female—pursue a career in CNC machining or any other manufacturing trade. I am proud to have been a part of it.”