Student Success

Inspire. Prepare. Support.

SME and the SME Education Foundation build awareness of opportunity, enhance academic opportunity and directly help students at every level, offering a path to explore, learn and grow through scholarships, student competitions, mentorship and student summits.

Student Membership Opportunities

By offering high school and student memberships, and creating a professional development pathway, SME is fulfilling its mission by helping prepare students for challenging, rewarding and lucrative careers in manufacturing. Free and low-cost membership options are available.

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Supporting Tomorrow's Workforce

Scholarship Opportunities

SME assists many young professionals through their manufacturing education journey.

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PRIME Success Stories

High schools across the country are supported by SME to build manufacturing/engineering programs.

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Scholarship Success Stories

Learn how individuals are thriving in manufacturing with the support of SME programs.

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Student Summits

SME works to inspire the next generation of manufacturing and engineering talent through Student Summits at our events.

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Engage in Mentoring

The SME Mentorship Program connects mentors (professional members) with mentees (high school student members), allowing mentors to enhance their leadership skills and give back to the manufacturing community, while mentees get the help they need to achieve their personal, educational and professional development goals.

Enroll as a Mentee

“My participation in the SME Mentorship Program is helping me build up my network, find work opportunities in the industry and support in choosing the right career path.”

Chelsea, SME Mentorship Program Participant

Take Advantage of SME Resources

It's incumbent on us to inform and inspire young people about their opportunities in this new era of advanced manufacturing — we're changing perceptions one student member at a time. Join SME and take advantage of all the resources we have to offer.

High School Student Membership

Student Membership

Online Training

Certification Programs

E-Library

SME Media News & Resources

SME Local Chapters

Student Contests & Events

Digital Manufacturing Challenge

This annual competition invites student designers to use their imagination to arrive at an innovative design, which exploits the geometric capabilities of direct digital manufacturing (DDM) to the fullest. Entries are welcome from college/university students and high school students; both categories are judged separately. Winners are recognized at SME's annual RAPID + TCT event.

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FIRST (For Inspiration & Recognition of Science & Technology)

FIRST is a partnership among students, educators, mentors and industry working together to build a workforce suited to fill careers in high-tech fields and advanced manufacturing careers. SME professional chapters and members support FIRST Robotics team youth outreach at the local levels through chapter or member engagement. Opportunities to promote FIRST robotics team success can be made through the SME chapter network.

NAMRC Student Research Presentation Contest

The annual North American Manufacturing Research Conference (NAMRC) hosts a Student Research Presentation Contest to recognize students' contributions to NAMRC. Encouraging young talents to pursue a career in manufacturing research is of vital importance to the long-term goals of the manufacturing community.

SkillsUSA Additive Manufacturing Competition

SME, in partnership with Stratasys, created the SkillsUSA Additive Manufacturing Competition to attract students to the new, exciting, emerging technologies and tools involved in this market. The competition helps contestants better understand additive manufacturing applications and provides them with hands-on experience using the latest 3D printing technology and software.

Student Summits

SME Education Foundation Student Summits introduce high school students to the manufacturing industry by creating interest, excitement and an appreciation for the technology on display at SME manufacturing and technology trade shows across the country.

HOUSTEX 3D Printing Student Competition

This bi-annual competition encourages students to be familiar with engineering design and ideation. Entries are welcome from students in high schools, community colleges/vocational institutes, or universities. Winners are recognized at SME's bi-annual HOUSTEX event.