Manufacturing Month Q&A: Madison Conrad
Manufacturing Day takes place annually on the first Friday in October and is aimed at inspiring young people to pursue careers in manufacturing. The celebration is extended throughout the month of October as Manufacturing Month.
We’re sharing the unique roles and perspectives of those currently working in the industry to show young people the possibilities in manufacturing. Like Madison Conrad, Powertrain Reliability Specialist at Roush Yates Engines. We sat down with her to talk about what inspired her to explore a career in manufacturing.
Q: What do you do?
Madison: I’m a powertrain reliability specialist at Roush Yates Engines.
Q: What’s your professional background?
Madison: Through my senior year of high school I worked at Yearwood Performance Center, a local speed shop in New Mexico. When I moved to Mooresville, North Carolina for school I worked various part-time jobs until I got the opportunity to work for Roush Yates Engines. I started as an intern in the parts department, then when I graduated I was hired full time into the engine teardown department. From teardown, I moved into post-race inspection. I then got the opportunity to join the marketing department and assist with various initiatives. After over a year in marketing, I got the opportunity to take on the powertrain reliability specialist role, where I currently work.
Q: What’s your academic background?
Madison: I graduated from Eldorado High School in 2015. I attended NASCAR Technical Institute and graduated in 2017. I’m currently going back to school to pursue an engineering degree.
Q: Why manufacturing? Why did you choose this industry?
Madison: I’ve always seen manufacturing as having plenty of opportunities and room to grow in any industry. I chose the racing industry because it has always been something I am very passionate about and really love doing.
Q: What advice do you have for people wanting to pursue a career in manufacturing?
Madison: My advice to anyone pursuing a career in manufacturing is to work hard, but also be willing to learn. There is so much to learn in manufacturing, so take advantage of every learning opportunity you get.
Q: What was your first job?
Madison: My first job was as a sales/parts associate at Yearwood Performance Center, a local speed shop where I grew up.
Q: If you could spend a day in someone else’s shoes, whose would they be?
Madison: If I could spend a day in someone else’s shoes, it would definitely be Elon Musk.
Q: What’s the first career you dreamed of having as a kid?
Madison: The first career I dreamed of having as a kid was a veterinarian, then changed to a racecar driver.
Q: Who, or what, was your biggest teacher?
Madison: My biggest teacher was moving away from home. It taught me so much about life and how to become the best I can be. It really taught me to work hard for what I want.