YOUNGSTOWN – On Friday, students from Mr. Ronshak’s Engineering Essentials: Exploring Careers class at Cardinal Mooney High School visited Youngstown State University for Manufacturing Day, where they had hands-on experiences with cutting-edge technology and learned about career opportunities in the local manufacturing industry.

The students, accompanied by assistant principal, Mrs. Cadman, spent the day interacting with robots, exploring virtual reality applications, and meeting with manufacturers from the area who shared insights into career paths available to students after high school.

“My favorite part of the day was robotics,” said senior Jaylen McGuire. “You learned all the different systems of the robots and also followed the detailed instructions so we were able to program them.”

Robotics also stood out to senior ZaNijah Wright. “I liked robotics too — it was a hard experience, but we figured out how to do the process,” Robinson said.

Meanwhile, junior Maeson Woodall found the virtual reality simulation particularly engaging. “My favorite part of the day was the VR. I learned that if you wanted to do on-the-job training, you can do it with the VR,” Woodall said. “With the VR, I was able to climb a cellphone tower and help with the installation of the tower.”

The visit was designed to introduce students to high-demand fields within the manufacturing sector, showcasing both the latest technology and potential career paths available after graduation.

Cardinal Mooney continues to prioritize career exploration through partnerships with local institutions like YSU, ensuring students are prepared for the future workforce.