Potters, Manufacturing
Overview
Salary
Demand
Core Tasks
Technology Skills
Tools Used
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Top 10 Skills
Top 10 Abilities
Top 10 Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Work Context
Education
Interests
Top 10 Work Styles
Work Values
Related Careers
Overview
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
Operate production machines such as pug mill, jigger machine, or potter's wheel to process clay in manufacture of ceramic, pottery and stoneware products.
Salary Salary
Salary at 10th Percentile: $25K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $29K
Median Salary: $35K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $43K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $53K
Demand
Core Tasks
Operate gas or electric kilns to fire pottery pieces.
Adjust wheel speeds according to the feel of the clay as pieces enlarge and walls become thinner.
Mix and apply glazes to pottery pieces, using tools, such as spray guns.
Raise and shape clay into wares, such as vases and pitchers, on revolving wheels, using hands, fingers, and thumbs.
Start machine units and conveyors and observe lights and gauges on panel board to verify operational efficiency.
Position balls of clay in centers of potters' wheels, and start motors or pump treadles with feet to revolve wheels.
Move pieces from wheels so that they can dry.
Prepare work for sale or exhibition, and maintain relationships with retail, pottery, art, and resource networks that can facilitate sale or exhibition of work.
Attach handles to pottery pieces.
Press thumbs into centers of revolving clay to form hollows, and press on the inside and outside of emerging clay cylinders with hands and fingers, gradually raising and shaping clay to desired forms and sizes.
Pack and ship pottery to stores or galleries for retail sale.
Smooth surfaces of finished pieces, using rubber scrapers and wet sponges.
Design spaces to display pottery for sale.
Pull wires through bases of articles and wheels to separate finished pieces.
Verify accuracy of shapes and sizes of objects, using calipers and templates.
Examine finished ware for defects and measure dimensions, using rule and thickness gauge.
Maintain supplies of tools, equipment, and materials, and order additional supplies as needed.
Operate pug mills to blend and extrude clay.
Operate drying chambers to dry or finish molded ceramic ware.
Adjust pressures, temperatures, and trimming tool settings as required.
Perform test-fires of pottery to determine how to achieve specific colors and textures.
Design clay forms and molds, and decorations for forms.
Operate jigger machines to form ceramic ware, such as bowls, cups, plates, and saucers.
Teach pottery classes.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Fine Arts
81%
Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Production and Processing
79%
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Design
72%
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Customer and Personal Service
68%
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Chemistry
64%
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Administration and Management
63%
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Sales and Marketing
62%
Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Engineering and Technology
60%
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Mathematics
60%
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Mechanical
59%
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Top 10 Skills
Operations Monitoring
65%
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control
63%
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Active Listening
60%
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
60%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring
60%
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Quality Control Analysis
58%
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Social Perceptiveness
58%
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speaking
58%
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension
55%
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Complex Problem Solving
53%
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Top 10 Abilities
Arm-Hand Steadiness
80%
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Finger Dexterity
78%
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Manual Dexterity
78%
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Control Precision
73%
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Near Vision
73%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Visualization
73%
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Multilimb Coordination
70%
The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Category Flexibility
63%
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Deductive Reasoning
63%
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Information Ordering
63%
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Top 10 Work Activities
Handling and Moving Objects
87%
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Thinking Creatively
83%
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Controlling Machines and Processes
81%
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Performing General Physical Activities
79%
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
75%
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
72%
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
68%
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
68%
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
67%
Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
Scheduling Work and Activities
65%
Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Detailed Work Activities
Operate heating or drying equipment.
Mix ingredients to create specific finishes.
Apply protective or decorative finishes to workpieces or products.
Shape clay or dough to create products.
Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
Position raw materials on processing or production equipment.
Remove products or workpieces from production equipment.
Construct distinctive physical objects for artistic, functional, or commercial purposes.
Develop professional relationships or networks.
Package objects for shipping.
Send information, materials or documentation.
Smooth surfaces of objects or equipment.
Maneuver workpieces in equipment during production.
Develop artistic or design concepts for decoration, exhibition, or commercial purposes.
Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
Order materials, supplies, or equipment.
Operate mixing equipment.
Conduct test runs of production equipment.
Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
Set equipment controls to meet cutting specifications.
Design jewelry or decorative objects.
Teach classes in area of specialization.
Work Context
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
Structured versus Unstructured Work
To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
Deal With External Customers
How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
Frequency of Decision Making
How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
Face-to-Face Discussions
How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
Electronic Mail
How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
Education
Interests
Realistic
96%
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Artistic
58%
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Conventional
24%
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Enterprising
19%
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Investigative
19%
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Social
15%
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Top 10 Work Styles
Attention to Detail
93%
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Independence
89%
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
86%
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
85%
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
85%
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Achievement/Effort
84%
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Innovation
83%
Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Dependability
82%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Analytical Thinking
78%
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Adaptability/Flexibility
77%
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Work Values
Achievement
62%
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Relationships
53%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Working Conditions
48%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Independence
43%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Recognition
43%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Support
39%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
