materials videos

Some call them messengers, some call them couriers. What they do is pick up and deliver letters, important business documents or packages. Even in an electronic age, the physical act of delivering something important is essential. A messenger is called when the item has to be delivered quickly or when it’s so important that it has to be hand-carried to its destination. Usually messengers deliver things locally—either within a building when they work for a large company, or across town in a metropolitan area view more

For passers-by, it seems amazing that any one person can handle the crane towering over a construction site. It appears to have a life of its own—a gigantic creature bending, turning, and lifting materials, machinery, or other heavy objects. But someone is very much in control: crane and tower operators are highly trained construction professionals who have reached the height of the equipment operation ladder…literally! Material-moving equipment operators are classified by the type of equipment they operate, and nothing is more complex or important than the cranes and towers that make big building projects possible view more

Many materials…such as carpet, fabric and glass…are manufactured and transported in large configurations. When it’s time to put these materials to use, the skills of hand cutters and trimmers are in demand. Using hand-held tools and power tools, they cut and trim to achieve the required fit. The work can be repetitious, and may require bending and carrying heavy materials. Hand cutters and trimmers tend to specialize, working with a particular material view more

There are few careers more challenging and more rewarding than being a member of a college faculty. Teaching at a college or university means dedicating yourself to not just the pursuit of knowledge…but to passing on that knowledge. It requires the ability to plan course objectives, prepare instructional materials and evaluate the work done by students. In small groups or large lectures, being a faculty member demands strong communication skills view more

Want the “scoop” on an interesting and challenging job? Consider Excavating and Loading Machine Operators. These are the people who operate machinery equipped with scoops, shovels or buckets. They are called upon to excavate for the mining or construction industries. Or they may be needed to dredge up dirt from the bottoms of waterways. Another part of the job may entail loading ore and other loose material view more

Production, planning, and expediting clerks keep manufacturing plants operating smoothly. They ensure the continuous flow of work and material within production schedules. They deal with inventory of raw materials or subassemblies and production quotas. They track output and expedite orders when necessary. In small firms, one person may do the job; larger companies may need more. Working under the supervision of industrial managers, these clerks can boost production efficiency view more

Industrial truck and tractor operators are responsible for the movement of manufactured goods, grain, coal, construction materials, or other heavy items, around a factory or on and off ships. Operators must have the ability to judge distance, a good sense of balance, and good eye-hand-foot coordination to operate such equipment. Their primary responsibilities are to protect the materials they carry, to ensure that the goods arrive at the proper destination, and to adhere to strict safety practices so they avoid roll-overs and collisions view more

Librarians help people find the books or information they need for business, academic or leisure purposes. Books, CDs, the Internet, and databases are just some of the Librarian’s tools. Librarians must be familiar with today’s sophisticated information and research sources and still be able to help a young reader find a new picture book. They must possess first hand knowledge of all the materials in the library, from catalogs and periodicals to reference books, best sellers and literary classics view more

Library assistants keep libraries running smoothly by keeping an increasingly diverse array of library resources in order so that they can be easily located. They are paraprofessionals who work under the direction of librarians or library technicians. They perform a wide-ranging list of duties. They're familiar with different filing and cataloguing systems. They may keep the lists of overdue items and send out notices of fines view more

Most of us depend on others to make the things we use, and the food we buy at the store. We look to manufacturers to produce the material goods we need to live. At every step of the production process, there are jobs in manufacturing. There are machines for making machines, and someone has to design them. Then those machines have to be operated, fed materials, and their products have to be finished—sometimes by hand-- packaged, marketed and delivered view more

From lightweight metal bike frames… to ceramic tile on the space shuttle… innovations to make products last longer and work better are due in large part to the work of materials engineers. Often called a "materials person" in the industry, this inventor plays a key role in the manufacture of any product. Presented with a plan for the item, he or she explores how to make it in the lab. Sometimes this involves creating a new material by manipulating the atomic and molecular structures of substances view more

Every time you order merchandise from a catalog, or fax a request for information, your contact with a company is handled by an order clerk. Orders for materials, merchandise or services can come from within an organization or from outside. However, most order clerks receive orders from other companies or individuals. The order clerk serves an important role, since he or she is often a customer’s only direct contact with the company view more

Nearly every product made is sold in its own unique packaging. Making sure those items are properly packaged is the job of a packaging and filling machine operator. Whether it’s bagging items, rolling sheets, filling containers, making blister packs, wrapping, or boxing, packaging readies the product for display and purchase. Operators move materials to and from production areas -- manually or with forklifts, dollies, carts, or handtrucks view more

The smart shoppers of the business world are its purchasing managers. They plan and direct a company's purchasing activities, making sure buyers and purchasing agents get the best goods and services at the lowest price. They also ensure that the materials are bought in the right amounts and are on hand when they're needed. That keeps the flow of work on schedule and production lines humming. Purchasing managers often coordinate the work of a staff of buyers and agents, offering guidance and stepping in for the more complicated negotiations view more

There are few careers more challenging and more rewarding than being a member of a college faculty. Teaching at a college or university means dedicating yourself to not just the pursuit of knowledge…but to passing on that knowledge. It requires the ability to plan course objectives, prepare instructional materials and evaluate the work done by students. In small groups or large lectures, being a faculty member demands strong communication skills view more

Sheet metal workers make and install products from large metal sheets. Roofs, siding, air ducts, gutters – even outdoor signs – are made by these highly skilled craftspersons. Following detailed plans, they cut, mold, bend and fabricate the large pieces for installation at a job site. Sheet metal workers should have knowledge of drafting, reading blueprints, handling tools, and welding. The job also requires standing for long periods, bending, squatting, and lifting heavy materials view more

Some manufacturing workers like their jobs super-sized. Structural metal fabricators and fitters construct enormous metal objects from tanks and water towers…to frames for buildings and bridges. Though the projects can be massive, the work is quite intricate. Following blueprints, fabricators make patterns and templates as guides. Fabricators use special machinery to cut the metal into the required pieces or plates view more