FARRELL, Pa. – If the goal is to reach students, they should shape the message. That’s the idea behind Lawrence Mercer Manufacturers Coalition’s newly formed Youth-Informed Outreach Committee, and earlier this month, that work got underway.

LMMC’s marketing partner, Houck Agency, visited Nicholas Hanahan’s Careers 11 class at Farrell High School to conduct the manufacturers coalition’s first student focus group, the pilot session in what will become a broader effort to gather student perspectives across Lawrence and Mercer counties.

Nine juniors participated in a candid, wide-ranging conversation covering how they perceive manufacturing, what they’re actually looking for in a career, who shapes their thinking about the future and whether they see themselves staying in the region after graduation.

The students were also asked to name local manufacturers, guess how many manufacturing companies operate in Mercer County and rate their own interest in pursuing a manufacturing career.

The responses were honest, and in many cases, telling. Students pictured manufacturing as physical, male-dominated work involving heavy machinery and metals, reflecting the kinds of misconceptions the committee is working to understand and address.

When asked what defines a “good job,” the answers had little to do with industry and everything to do with fulfillment, relationships and earning enough to enjoy life outside of work.

That kind of insight is what the Youth-Informed Outreach Committee was formed to capture.

The themes, language and perspectives gathered from the session will directly inform how LMMC communicates with young people about manufacturing careers – messaging shaped by students, for students.

For the educators in the room, the conversation was equally meaningful.

“What resonated most was the depth of reflection the students shared,” said Emily Clare, supervisor of curriculum and instruction at Farrell High School. “Hosting this focus group is essential because it shows our students that their perspectives are valued by industry leaders and helps them see themselves as active participants in their future career paths.”

This was the first of many focus groups planned across Lawrence and Mercer counties.

CREDIT: Lawrence Mercer Manufacturers Coalition.

Pictured at top: Participants in the focus group at Farrell High School.