Success at Lockheed Martin

June 5, 2025 Industry Source 108 Views 0 Comments Manufacturing Education

Although women make up just 29% of the manufacturing workforce, Pennsylvania College of Technology alumna Shelby N. Miller said she is proud to be included in that calculation from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It’s a number that she hopes increases in the future. Miller, of Schuylkill Haven, is a manufacturing engineer associate with Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control business area. She’s held that position at the global defense technology company since graduating last year with a baccalaureate in manufacturing engineering technology and an associate degree in machine tool technology. Success at Lockheed Martin.

“My education provided me with a strong baseline of knowledge that I could build upon when I started at Lockheed Martin. The concepts I learned, especially in areas like machining and process design, have been directly applicable to my work,” Miller said. “Additionally, my education helped me develop strong communication skills. Being able to effectively communicate and understand how various departments work together has been crucial in my role.”

Her role includes updating operation sheets, refining welding and machining processes and creating visual supplements to support those processes.

“What I truly enjoy most about my job is being able to see the entire process from start to finish,” she added. “It’s really rewarding to be involved in multiple stages and understand how everything comes together. I also enjoy working with a variety of projects. There’s always something new to learn. On top of that, having supportive co-workers makes the environment even better and helps me grow personally and professionally.”

Miller’s interest in manufacturing dates to middle school when an open house at a vocational-technical center sparked her curiosity about the field and its possibilities.

“I was captivated by the idea of creating something purposeful from a raw block of material. The precision, creativity and impact of machining resonated with me deeply,” she recalled.

During high school, Miller spent three years training in precision machining at Schuylkill Technology Center. Connections made there with Penn College alumni led her to enroll in the metal fabrication technology major.

“Their experiences and successes gave me a strong understanding of the college’s programs,” she explained. “I really wanted a hands-on education that directly connects to what’s happening in industry. It felt like the perfect place to build the practical skills for a successful future in manufacturing.”

Degree Delivers

The metal fabrication technology associate degree delivers hands-on schooling in welding, machining and sheet metal fabrication. Miller enjoyed the curriculum, but in her third semester, she decided to switch to the four-year manufacturing engineering technology program. The major promotes cross training in advanced manufacturing systems, robotic applications, industrial electronics and engineering economics.

“I realized that manufacturing engineering was my true path. My teachers noticed my strengths in the field and encouraged me to focus solely on manufacturing, which boosted my confidence and solidified my interest,” Miller said.

One of those teachers was Howard W. Troup, assistant professor of automated manufacturing/machine tool technology.

“We told her to pursue the manufacturing engineering technology degree because she had all the attributes to be successful in the profession,” Troup said.

“Shelby was focused, hardworking, dedicated, organized, detail-oriented and willing to learn.”

Several Internships

She was also willing to leave her comfort zone. Miller completed internships at Lycoming Engines, Victaulic and East Penn Manufacturing during her first couple years in the program and went to Germany with six other students as part of a class to experience that country’s renowned machining and manufacturing methods.

“Going to Germany was something I never imagined doing, but it turned out to be an incredible experience that pushed me to grow,” Miller said. “I gained a global perspective on the industry.”

At a Penn College Career Fair, Miller connected with Lockheed Martin, a Corporate Tomorrow Maker partner of the school. The Career Fair contact led to a summer internship, which resulted in a full-time offer to join the 70,000 Lockheed Martin engineers, scientists and technologists.

It was an easy decision to say “yes.”

“I chose to work at Lockheed Martin because it provided an incredible opportunity for professional growth and the chance to contribute to groundbreaking projects,” Miller said. “The mentorship, training and career coaching I received during my internship gave me a solid foundation, and I was impressed by how much the company invests in its employees’ development. Above all, the chance to work on advanced Missiles and Fire Control systems is what truly motivated me to join the team.”

Family Support

Grateful for Penn College education and the backing of its instructors, Miller also considers family support instrumental to her success.

“My parents and family were incredibly supportive, encouraging me to pursue what I was passionate about and excel in,” she said. “Their belief in my abilities, combined with the guidance I received from my instructors, made it clear that manufacturing engineering was the right direction for me.”

The importance of such support and acceptance of a manufacturing career path should not be overlooked, according to Kathy Chesmel, assistant dean of materials science & engineering technology.

“Many parents – and even some teachers and guidance counselors – have an outdated view of manufacturing as dark, dirty and dangerous and will discourage interest in the field, especially in the case of young women,” Chesmel said. “The field offers enriching careers requiring more brain than brawn. We need to see an increasing number of young people, including women, taking advantage of these rich opportunities.”

A report from the Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte projects manufacturing will need 3.8 million workers by 2033.

“More women should consider manufacturing because it offers diverse career paths, hands-on work and real opportunities to make an impact. From my own experience, it’s a rewarding field that combines problem-solving, creativity and continuous learning. The industry is evolving and becoming more inclusive, and there’s a real need for different perspectives and skill sets. Women absolutely have a place here and can thrive.”

Miller is proof of that.

Source: Success at Lockheed Martin

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Penn College is a national leader in applied technology education. Visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free 800-367-9222.