Makerspace Careers

Interactivity has become a key part of what we do for fun and entertainment. We use our phones to walk around the neighborhood and 'catch' virtual creatures. We call up our favorite movies and shows from an online menu. 'VR' headsets are creating whole virtual reality worlds for us to immerse ourselves in. Interactive media is an ever-growing and expanding field, with job growth outpacing the average. With accessible and practical tips, this volume explores how makerspaces and hackerspaces provide students with hands-on experience in coding and designing for interactive media to be prepared for these dream jobs of the future.

Machines drive our world. Mechanical devices in assembly lines churn out all our products, from candy bars to cars. Engines power our vehicles and factories. Our homes depend on appliances like washers and water heaters. The work of machine maintenance professionals is crucial to keep these devices humming. Careers in this field are rewarding because they involve problem-solving and hands-on work. Makerspaces give young people the opportunity to explore and develop the skills needed for machine maintenance careers. This instructive resource reveals how sharing ideas, equipment, and knowledge through makerspaces can open doors to a wide range of opportunities in machine maintenance.

Robotics is one of the most exciting career fields of the twenty-first century. This stimulating volume introduces readers to robotics makerspaces and describes how student makerspace experiences and robotics competitions can lead to a career in robotics. It captures the breadth of the robotics industry, describing recent robotics research in home control, medicine, industry, and the military and outlines the skills, education, and degrees required to work in robotics, and the process of finding a robotics job. Informative profiles of several makerspaces as well as day-in-the-life scenarios of roboticists in the space program and the service industry, among others, will keep readers engaged.

Practice is the best way to prepare for a welding career, and makerspaces are great places to learn skills necessary to be admitted to apprenticeship programs. Participants in makerspaces benefit from classes, as well as advice from other participants in a friendly, sharing environment while independently working on their own projects. Through this edifying resource, readers will learn about the breadth of welding careers options, as well as how to get started in the field, where to get additional experience, and how to find welding jobs. They'll also get job outlook and other information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Innovation guides how we live, work, communicate, and use the Earth's resources. Careers in the economics field are all related to improving electrical systems and inventing new technologies, which requires not only strong STEM knowledge but creativity. A makerspace is the ideal environment for future electrical professionals to apply their knowledge to real-world, hands-on projects. It encourages and develops the innovation on which the future relies, no matter what area of electronics they enter into. This enlightening volume examines the various career and education paths for success in the field of electronics and how a makerspace can help prepare students for their future.

In the past, the thought of working in manufacturing might have conjured up images of standing in front of a conveyer belt. Today, manufacturing jobs are far more challenging and more rewarding. Technology has brought about progress in virtually every industry, and the manufacturing industry is no exception. Participation in collaborative, STEM-based work spaces known as makerspaces offers a great advantage to those interested in manufacturing. This comprehensive guide offers readers essential information about the manufacturing industry, including areas of specialization, job growth, and outlook, as well as information about the groundbreaking makerspace movement and how to get involved.

More than just a place to tinker with crafts, makerspaces have become a place for people of all ages to learn new skills and develop interests that can lead to a successful career. For students interested in design and prototyping, makerspaces offer a place to practice the design process, use sophisticated equipment to create prototypes, and collaborate and learn from others. This volume highlights several careers that combine interests in makerspaces and design and prototyping, accentuating different jobs, educational requirements, and job-search tips. Real-life stories of people working in design and prototyping inspire readers to use makerspaces to launch their own successful careers.