This article is adapted from content originally published by SME on Tooling U-SME’s blog. Revised for Tallo’s blog and republished with permission.
The manufacturing workforce is undergoing massive change—and so are the young people preparing to enter it. Recently, Tallo CEO Allison Danielsen joined Toni Neary on Manufacturing the Workforce of Tomorrow to discuss bridging the skills gap, rethinking early talent development, and reshaping how Gen Z discovers career pathways. Their conversation highlighted a powerful reality: connecting students to manufacturing careers requires more than job postings. It requires relevance, authenticity, and meaningful human connection.
From Community College to Career Platform Leadership
Allison’s own career journey reflects the nonlinear path many young people will take. Starting in community college studying art and psychology, she spent a decade in corporate America hiring thousands of employees before shifting into work focused on connecting learners to opportunities. At the College Board, she helped support millions of students exploring education pathways. But something was missing.
“I really felt the gap was employers,” she said. “Educational tools are critical, but they don’t determine who gets the job. If we don’t bring employers closer to early talent, we’re not going to bridge the gap.”
That became her calling—and ultimately what brought her to Tallo.
A Platform Built Around Who Students Are
Today, Tallo is redefining what early career exploration looks like. More than 2 million young people have created profiles, and 200,000+ are active on the platform every month. The key to that engagement? Tallo starts with who students are—their interests, strengths, and passions—before showing them potential career paths.
Whether a student loves art, music, engineering, or even dreams of becoming a professional bowler (as Allison once did), Tallo helps them understand how those interests translate to real careers. Through our partnership with Lightcast, we incorporate live job data and real skills requirements, giving students an up-to-date view of opportunities across industries—including advanced manufacturing.
And the platform isn’t just a directory. Students connect with each other in safe, interest-based communities—an approach that increases their likelihood of returning to the platform by more than 60%. When they’re ready, they can find educational programs, connect with employers, and even apply for jobs, all in one place.
At events like the IMTS Smartforce Student Summit, more than 1,000 students signed up on the spot after interacting with our team. “They want this digital career co-pilot,” Toni said. “They want guidance that feels built for their world.”
Gen Z Wants Authenticity—Employers Need to Adjust
A major theme of the discussion was how differently Gen Z views the world of work. For this generation, career success doesn’t mean 80-hour workweeks or climbing rigid corporate ladders. They want balance, a sense of belonging, and an employer whose mission aligns with their values.
And they look for that information where many employers aren’t present: TikTok.
“It should concern all of us,” Allison emphasized. “Young people are getting career information in 15-second clips that may or may not be accurate.”
This is why Tallo coaches employers to highlight workplace culture, real employee experiences, and the “impact behind the widgets”—not just job descriptions and pay rates. When companies meet Gen Z where they are, the connection is immediate and powerful.
Micro-Internships: Real Work, Real Experience, Real Impact
One of the most innovative concepts we’re advancing is the micro-internship—short, meaningful, paid experiences that give students real work exposure. At SkillsUSA, Tallo brought in a 16-year-old micro-intern named Kennedi, whose energy transformed the booth experience and helped the team reach dramatically more students.
“Young people need experience to get experience,” Allison noted. “Micro-internships give them that early, foundational exposure to communication, responsibility, and real-world expectations.”
For employers, they’re simple, high-impact, and a powerful way to nurture early talent pipelines.
What’s Next for Tallo
Looking forward, we’re doubling down on community, connection, and human-centered technology. As AI reshapes both hiring and job-seeking, we believe the future depends on real people connecting with real people—not just automated platforms screening automated resumes.
Through live conversations, near-peer connections, and expanding school partnerships, Tallo aims to ensure every student—regardless of background or network—has access to meaningful career pathways.
As Toni concluded, “When we help young people have real conversations and real experiences with real employers, we change everything.”
If your organization wants to attract, inspire, and empower the next generation, now is the time to rethink your approach.