Here's how you can overcome the lack of experience as a recent graduate in Manufacturing Operations.

A recent graduate could seek for practical training in plants just to grasp and feel the products they will be managing in the top level. This would give them more insights on what are the difficulties from the bottom-top perspective.

A recent graduate could also try and build up their networking during employment fares. Networking isn't only to find a job but also to share experiences and find new solutions within the industry/field of working

One thing I found helpful is to create your IDP, Individual Development Plan. It is very important to always have a direction in your career. Ideally, you always strive to build upon your skillset and develop professionally. I find the further you are from your "comfort zone", the greater amount of experience you gain in return.(Makes sense right?) Ex. Kid learns how to ride a bike.(New Skill!) However, the kid that already rides a bike and practices more, might only learn a trick or get a little better. Too often I find complacency as the demise of individuals careers. Always stay current to your companies goals and find the best way you can contribute; often achieving your career goals and meeting company goals go hand in hand.

I completely agree with this! Volunteering can be a great way to gain experience. I would like to encourage not only volunteering in your free time, but get paid for it as well! Often companies will have "on-site" programs, company events, or projects they need help with. If you are new to the field, or have experience but want to see what else is out there, this is how you do it! Sign up! Volunteering is a great way to explore where you work! You might hear of "a great job" that is highly desired in your company, but the grass as we know is not always greener. What is "great" to someone else might not be great for you. By volunteering you get exposure and experience to other jobs and see what works for you.

This is crucial for businesses. Most companies work with ERP systems to manage operations/Supply Chain/accounting/Engineering etc.. This is kind of inevitable in corporates due to the amount of data and info shared in a daily basis. I'd suggest getting a course on ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle. It just gives you a glimpse of what you will face in working environments. If not courses, then training within the company you are working with (applying for).

How you dress, speak, interact, and even your mannerisms all come into play when meeting with potential future employers. Here is one example. I interviewed for an Operations Manager position.(Distribution Center) (This was a big deal for me!) I was dressed in my dry cleaned suit, freshly ironed tie, and brand new shoes I bought just for this interview! The problem was.. when I interviewed, I did not fit my atmosphere. I can tell you now, 15 years later, I still remember the direction of that interview. The line of questions always circled back to if I knew what the job entailed, where I would be working, and the working conditions. Always be professional, but also know your audience.

Take a job as a factory operative or machine operator and apply your university learning to improve that role. The perspective from the factory floor will be invaluable. Most engineering roles expect a level of experience, but few employers want to invest in a graduate. All manufacturers want operatives and machine operators that require minimal supervision, and they will invest accordingly. Expect to take 3-6 months to fully learn the line, and then another 6 months to make a difference and work at getting noticed. If no recognition after 12-18 months move on, add the experience to your CV.