Due to a number of outdated but widely held misconceptions, it is often difficult to convince people working in other lines of work that manufacturing is not a boring, dark and grimy career. At the same time, fewer students are choosing careers in manufacturing and engineering and there remains much concern about a future brain drain in these industries.

Here is some input from those wanting to generate interest in the profession.

Mike Rounds, the governor of South Dakota, addresses the image problem that still hampers the manufacturing industry in an insightful Argus Leader article. Rounds believes that "technology and other advances have greatly enhanced the work environment."

Indeed, a lot of people would likely be very surprised by how "modern" manufacturing really is today.

"Employees can expect a clean and safe place to work," Rounds continued. "We need to do a better job of promoting that to our potential work force."

Granted, "clean and safe" does little to create a sense of cool. But what about motorcycles?

At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Leaders for Manufacturing Web site, for instance, there's a great interview with Rod Copes, vice president and general manager of Powertrain Operations at Harley-Davidson in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Obviously, the product has a lot to do with why Copes finds his manufacturing gig to be so cool. But there's more:

I also like the opportunities for continuous improvement and the fact that there is always room for measurable growth. Some people may find this frustrating, but I feel it's enormously challenging and rewarding, both personally and professionally. The common theme in all of this is tangibility — in manufacturing you can always see tangible results.

Copes also works on challenges that scale beyond his specific factory, which definitely ups the cool quotient:

I am the champion for safety, which means that I lead cross-functional teams that make continual safety improvements across the company. In addition, I sponsor a team that is charged with replacing legacy IT systems with a new ERP system.

Perhaps, then, the academic world is the best vehicle to get the word out in order to change minds and recruit the best?

Indeed, online destinations like ManufacturingIsCool.com attempt to plant an early seed by inspiring its visitors to become "original thinkers." This Web site, from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation, is a helpful resource for middle- and high school students as they try to figure out that critical next step towards a career in manufacturing or engineering. (See: Tips & Schools for Future Engineers)

Finally, Plant Services is also out to change a few minds on the widely held belief that manufacturing is "a boring, greasy career." Here's one of the cool factory-tour ideas offered in the publication's entertaining read:

At the Boeing Everett factory tour in Seattle, visitors will see 747, 767 and 777 airplanes in various stages of flight test and manufacture. The facility is the largest building in the world by volume at 472 million cu. ft.

Have some ideas to share that can enlighten the unenlightened? Sound off below.