Sean Mullan

Tell us about your background? 

I was trained as an Electrician in the US Navy and served on submarines.  Following the Navy, I worked as a maintenance employee in the aluminum, food, and steel manufacturing industries.  While working in the steel industry, I furthered my education and moved into manufacturing management in various roles.  I joined 3M 5 years ago as a Senior Reliability Engineer, helping our manufacturing sites improve their maintenance and operations practices.

Share about your work at 3M?

As a Reliability Engineer, I visit many of our 3M manufacturing sites, evaluating practices and making recommendations on how to become more effective and efficient.  Additionally, I lead 3M’s Manufacturing and Academic Partnerships program where we work with High School students and technical colleges.  This program works to engage students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education and introduce them to potential careers in manufacturing.  Our work with students in the MAP program is helping 3M close the skills gap while also working to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in our maintenance workforce.

What are some of the employment challenges for the manufacturing industry at this time?

There are many job openings in industrial maintenance and manufacturing.  Many from the Baby Boom generation have or will soon retire…this has left a large gap in our skilled talent pool.  Manufacturing has changed in the last 50 years, and overcoming the idea that manufacturing is “dark, dirty, and dangerous” has been a challenge.  Manufacturing is now very automated and high tech.  Computer controls, robots, and automation have changed the manufacturing industry.  Finding employment candidates who have problem solving, teamwork, and technical skills has been a big challenge, but is improving as Career and Technical Education is finding its way back into our secondary and post-secondary education system.

Where do you see the most opportunities for people interested in a career in manufacturing?

Work in manufacturing is very rewarding.  Manufacturing companies pay well and with good benefits for people who have technical skills and are good problem solvers.  A great place to gain the skills needed for a career in manufacturing is your local community and technical college.  In a short time, you can get the training and education you need to start your career with little to no student loan debt.