--- title: "From Student Voice to Manufacturing Advocate: A Perspective from our Summer Intern, Nasir Brown" description: Discover how ISO/IEC 42001, the first global AI management system standard, helps manufacturers build trust, reduce risk, and align with evolving regulations. Start with Catalyst Connection’s free Data and AI Readiness Assessment. image: https://blog.catalystconnection.org/hubfs/engineering%20people%20manufacturing%20industry%20with%20big%20modern%20computer%20machines.jpeg --- - [Training & Events](https://www.catalystconnection.org/trainings-events/) [Skip to content](https://blog.catalystconnection.org/from-student-voice-to-manufacturing-advocate-a-perspective-from-our-summer-intern-nasir-brown#content) [![Catalyst Connection Logo](https://blog.catalystconnection.org/hubfs/CatalystConnection_WeGrow_rgb-2.png)](https://www.catalystconnection.org) - [Home](https://www.catalystconnection.org/) - About Us - [About Us Catalyst Connection contributes to the growth and vibrancy of manufacturing in our region.](https://www.catalystconnection.org/about-us/) - [Careers At Catalyst Connection, we recognize and treat our people as our most important resource.](https://www.catalystconnection.org/careers/) - [Grants & Cost Savings There are a number of grants and tax credits available to manufacturers in the region.](https://www.catalystconnection.org/grants-cost-savings/) - [Executive Committee & Board of Directors Influential professionals who are committed to driving innovation and growth in the manufacturing sector.](https://www.catalystconnection.org/our-people/) - [Staff Dedicated to helping you reach your full potential and thrive in today’s competitive market.](https://www.catalystconnection.org/our-people/#tab_staff) - [Services](https://www.catalystconnection.org/services/) - [People Are You Earning The Reputation As An Employer Of Choice?](https://www.catalystconnection.org/services/people/) - [Process Are you producing your products in the most efficient means and are you meeting quality standards?](https://www.catalystconnection.org/services/process/) - [Products Do you have the right products for the market – and the right market for the products that you make?](https://www.catalystconnection.org/services/products/) - [Technology Are you preparing to become a manufacturer for the 21st century?](https://www.catalystconnection.org/services/technology/) - Insights - [Blog Our blog is your go-to resource for insightful articles and expert advice on the latest trends shaping the industry.](https://www.catalystconnection.org/blog/) - [Resource Library Curated content covers supply chain, optimization, workforce. 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This summer, we were fortunate to welcome Nasir Brown, whose curiosity and perspective shed light on why manufacturing remains one of the most rewarding career paths today. In his writing, Nasir emphasized that manufacturing is more than machines and materials. It is a career built on math, science, creativity, and teamwork—skills learned in school and applied to real-world problem solving. As he noted, “everywhere you look there is a different manufacturing job” — from welders and electricians to machinists and assemblers. These roles build the products and infrastructure that power our world. Nasir’s reporting highlighted workforce development organizations in Pittsburgh, including Industrial Arts Workshop (IAW) and New Century Careers (NCC). At IAW, he found a community where welding is taught not only as a technical trade but also as a creative expression. Students described welding as both challenging and rewarding, with IAW providing a safe, supportive environment to explore their skills. At NCC, Nasir interviewed students Jaden and Kioshi, who spoke about the confidence and career readiness the program instills. Jaden noted that the training is challenging at first but becomes more rewarding as skills grow. Kioshi, with prior aerospace manufacturing experience, praised NCC’s strong safety culture and the sense of purpose it provides. Nasir’s reflections mirror Catalyst Connection’s mission: to connect people with opportunity, to showcase manufacturing as both stable and innovative, and to help prepare Southwestern Pennsylvania’s workforce for the future. We are grateful for the time Nasir spent with us and look forward to seeing how he continues to advocate for the possibilities that manufacturing holds for his generation. Read Nasir's articles below: - **[Why Manufacturing Matters](https://blog.catalystconnection.org/hubfs/Why%20Manufacturing%20Matters.pdf)** - [Exploring Careers in Manufacturing at New Century Careers](https://blog.catalystconnection.org/hubfs/Exploring%20Careers%20in%20Manufacturing%20at%20New%20Century%20Careers.pdf) [![Catalyst Logo](https://blog.catalystconnection.org/hubfs/blog/footer_logo_white.svg)](https://www.catalystconnection.org) [info@catalystconnection.org](mailto:info@catalystconnection.org) [412.918.4300](tel:412.918.4300) 4501 Lytle Street, Suite 301 Pittsburgh, PA 15207 - [![Linkedin](https://blog.catalystconnection.org/hubfs/blog/icon-linkedin.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/catalyst-connection/) - [![Facebook](https://blog.catalystconnection.org/hubfs/blog/icon-facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/CatalystConnection) - [![Twitter](https://blog.catalystconnection.org/hubfs/blog/icon-twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/madeinswpa) - [![Instagram](https://blog.catalystconnection.org/hubfs/blog/icon-instagram.png)](https://www.instagram.com/catalyst_workforce/) - [![Youtube](https://blog.catalystconnection.org/hubfs/blog/icon-youtube.png)](https://www.youtube.com/user/CatalystConnection) ###### Navigate - [About Us](https://www.catalystconnection.org/about-us/) - [Services](https://www.catalystconnection.org/services/) - [Grants & Programs](https://www.catalystconnection.org/grants-programs/) - [Contact Us](https://www.catalystconnection.org/contact-us/) ###### Our Services - [People](https://www.catalystconnection.org/services/people) - [Process](https://www.catalystconnection.org/services/process) - [Products](https://www.catalystconnection.org/services/products) - [Technology](https://www.catalystconnection.org/services/technology) ###### [Newsletter Signup](https://www.catalystconnection.org/newsletter/) © 2026 Catalyst Connection [Privacy Policy](https://www.catalystconnection.org/privacy-policy) | [Sitemap](https://www.catalystconnection.org/sitemap) | [Terms and Conditions](https://www.catalystconnection.org/terms-and-conditions) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Joe Sherman", "url" : "https://blog.catalystconnection.org/author/joe-sherman" }, "dateModified" : "2025-09-12T18:22:00.977Z", "datePublished" : "2025-09-12T18:21:22.000Z", "headline" : "From Student Voice to Manufacturing Advocate: A Perspective from our Summer Intern, Nasir Brown", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.catalystconnection.org/from-student-voice-to-manufacturing-advocate-a-perspective-from-our-summer-intern-nasir-brown", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.catalystconnection.org/hubfs/CatalystConnection_WeGrow_rgb-2.png" } } } ```