I work for an industrial automation company designing and programming robotic workcells for a wide variety of applications. Anything from medical products to automotive parts. In the past two years we have seen a substantial amount of growth in the manufacturing sector here in the US. This is due in part to the rising cost of labor overseas, as well as increased shipping and freight costs. For the first time since offshoring began, it is finally starting to make sense for manufacturers to consider domestic production again. My job is to help them do that and stay competitive. I am a firm believer in automation leading the way towards a new industrial revolution in the United States.
If I had one thing to say to my fellow nerds out there who can't decide what to do with their life, it's this:
Forget IT or Tech consulting. Forget computer programming or web design. Get into mechanical engineering or controls engineering theory. There is such a shortage of knowledgeable people in this field that you can pretty much write your own ticket.
