DiscoverME 2023 Introduces Area Eighth Graders to Career Opportunities in the Orthopedic Industry

On October 2-5, 2023, coinciding with National Manufacturing Week, all eighth-grade students in the Warsaw, Wawasee, Whitko & Tippecanoe Valley school corporations will participate in DiscoverME, a career awareness program through OrthoWorx that showcases modern manufacturing across Kosciusko County. The week-long program includes daily classroom instruction, school assemblies and a day-long field trip, where students will learn about the manufacturing industry as well as educational pathways available to them.

“There are so many different career options in manufacturing here that do not require a college degree,” says OrthoWorx Talent Director, Erin Serafino, “We’re excited to show eighth graders the important roles they can fulfill in this community as they begin to think about their career options after high school.”

Manufacturing Experiences programs introduce students to local industry, showcasing career opportunities and pathways for 8th grade students in Kosciusko County and the surrounding area. Manufacturing is a central part of our county’s economic landscape with industries around agribusiness, automotive, boat production, furniture and medical devices – specifically orthopedics. DiscoverME offers a community-responsive curriculum and introduces manufacturing at a pivotal time when students begin thinking about high school coursework and their career interests. Local companies featured as tour stops this year include DePuy Synthes, Instrumental Machine & Development (IMD), Medartis, Paragon Medical, Polywood, Precision Medical Technologies (PreMedTec), and Zimmer Biomet. By partnering with local manufacturing companies in Kosciusko County, we showcase next generation manufacturing – an innovative, technology-driven industry that offers secure, well-paying jobs and excellent benefits with the opportunity for further education and advancement.

OrthoWorx President & CEO, Bob Vitoux says, “With our students having so many pathways to consider these days, we see this as a great opportunity to partner with our local orthopedic industry and education partners to deliver this experiential learning program, aligning with our mission to Equip the Next Generation as a part of our Talent Pipeline pillar.”

About OrthoWorx

Formed in 2009 with initial funding from the Lilly Endowment through the Orthopedic Capital Foundation, OrthoWorx initiatives feature community-based strategic collaborations with the orthopedic industry and other stakeholders to ensure that the Warsaw region continues to reap the social and economic benefits that derive from its position at the Orthopedic Capital of the World®.