Arlington, Vermont - Mack Molding, a leading custom plastics molder and supplier of contract manufacturing services, opened its doors to give students from the Dorset, Vermont-based Long Trail School an inside look at running a business in the Green Mountain State.
"As a manufacturer, people are among the most important contributors to our success," says Mack Molding President Jeff Somple. "As a Vermont business, we recognize the importance of inspiring the state's next generation of engineers, technicians, and professionals. These students are the future of Vermont and its businesses, and through programs like our Made in Vermont Days, internships, and school visits, Mack hopes to inform them of the exciting career paths right here at home."
The students were participating in the Long Trail School's own Made in Vermont program, in which sixth, seventh and eighth graders visited several regional businesses to gain an appreciation for how the businesses operate.
"We wanted students to see how local businesses take an idea from inception, through design to the creation of a product to sales and marketing, and ultimately how it gets to the consumer," says Long Trail's Dean of Faculty Jim Gedney. "This was a great opportunity for experiential learning in which the students received outside of the classroom context through adults in the business world."
According to Gedney, at the conclusion of the visits students executed on their new knowledge by coming up with prototype products and pitches in the spirit of ABC's popular Shark Tank TV show. In all, students visited eight businesses for inspiration. In addition to Mack, other participants included Hubbardton Forge, Authentic Design, J.K. Adams, Orvis in Manchester, Bennington Potters, Manchester Wood, and Battenkill Creamery.
"Middle school students are at a very open place for learning as they become more sophisticated in their understanding of things, moving from being concrete to analytical thinkers and learners," Gedney adds. "It means a lot to have the response we had from local companies at this critical time in their development, and we were impressed by their willingness to take time out of their busy schedules to host us. It shows a real interest in what the kids are learning in school and a real connection to the area - and the students come away with a better understanding of opportunities in the region."
The Long Trail visit is just part of Mack's longstanding commitment to encouraging Vermont's best and brightest to use their talents to benefit the communities they call home, as well as the businesses that share them. The hallmark of Mack's efforts is an internship program designed to have students work on meaningful projects that help move the business forward while giving them a significant achievement for their portfolios and resumes.
"We are quickly approaching 100 students who have been through the Mack internship program from schools like UVM, WPI, RPI and RIT," Somple says. "We are now seeing some students return, which is truly rewarding not only because it validates our efforts, but because we see someone turn into a promising professional and hope we played our small part."
Source: Mack Molding