This summer, I embarked on an incredible journey into the world of machining and manufacturing. Armed with curiosity and a bit of nervous energy, I dove headfirst into the realm of CNC machines, G-Code, and the meticulous art and science of machining. What started as an externship turned into a humbling whirlwind of learning, laughter, and hands-on experience that I can’t wait to share with my students!

My externship began with a tour of the machine shop floor, where I was amazed by the variety and scale of the machines—some the size of a shed, others towering like small buildings. These mechanical marvels are the backbone of modern manufacturing, and I realized I had never truly appreciated the precision with which machinists work. These incredible people and machines operate with measurements in the tenths of a thousandth—precision I hadn’t thought possible before my experiences at Northwest Machining and Manufacturing.

After my tour, I had the opportunity to talk to each person on the business side of the manufacturing process, where I learned about sales and the quoting process. I was amazed at how complex it is to quote a customer a price to produce a part. Everything must be meticulously documented and considered—things like the type of material from the mill or foundry, chemical treatments, specialized and specific paint, heat treatments, inspections (so many different kinds), assembly of parts, and estimated man/machine hours, just to name a few.

The rest of my time at Northwest Machining and Manufacturing consisted of job shadowing the many professions on the machining floor. I spent time with machinists, machine programmers, inspection technicians, assembly technicians, and even the shipping department. I found this part of my externship—the time spent on the manufacturing floor—the most enjoyable. I learned so much from each person and department!

I thoroughly enjoyed my externship and I wish everyone could see how cool and complex the machining profession truly is. During my externship, I was humbled by the level of skill and knowledge at this company. I was welcomed and shown a profession where the application of science, technology, engineering, and math is done every minute of every day. Thank you, Northwest Machining and Manufacturing, for a wonderful experience!