February 2023 Volume 5

OPERATIONS & MANAGEMENT

in any way that I could, and I never shied away from a challenge or asking a question. Manufacturing may not be for the weary, or for those that think they should see a promotion every 6 months, but I do find a lot of people in this industry who take pride in what they do. It's filled with people that want to be a part of something bigger, something that adds value to our lives each and every day. My recommendation is to be patient with your own journey. Don't be afraid to let someone at your company know your goals. Ask them what you need to know and how best to learn it. There is a lot of knowledge that the younger generations need to soak up if we are going to continue running manufacturing into the future. In manufacturing it may not always be a title, and it may not always be a huge raise, but I can tell you that the growth you will find can lead to both of those things with time. Talk to people that you work with, talk to people outside of the company (whether in your industry or not), take on extra tasks and challenges, ask to get involved with the FIA and join one of their committees, and do not be afraid to hear constructive criticism. I say that, because as I mentioned at the beginning of this… I am asked all the time, "what is your degree in?" Well, to the utter shock of most… I am an English Major who learned as much as she could about manufacturing and decided that she could do whatever she wanted if she put her mind to it.

Danielle Smith Director of Inside Sales, Marketing Administration & Estimating Finkl Steel FIAMarketing Committee Member (2013 – Current) & Chair (2020-2023) FIAWomen in Forging Committee Member (2023) Email: dsmith@finkl.com

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CONTACT: Jonathan Le | PHONE: 945-218-2185 | jle@transparentedge.com | www.transparentedge.com

FIA MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2023 49