by Sharon Sanders
Finding manufacturing solutions for aerospace companies is daily fare for Aubrey Kelley- Cogdell ’10. A computer-aided manufacturing programmer, she has been recognized for her skill in saving manufacturers thousands of dollars each year by being named to the “30 Under 30” list by Manufacturing Engineering Media, which spotlights future leaders in manufacturing.
Kelley-Cogdell, who works at aerospace application center Sandvik Coromant, Fair Lawn, N.J., assists companies with their manufacturing needs and develops new processes using automated metalworking machines called CNCs. Her job requires technical expertise combined with presentation skills; she describes it as rewarding and “hands-on.”
“My Lafayette education provided the framework and method I use in all my current projects,” says Kelley-Cogdell, a mechanical engineering graduate with a master’s in biomedical engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology.
“The small class size allowed for engaging discussions and lots of machine time in the workshop. My presidency in Engineers Without Borders gave me international project experience and allowed me to manage a large multidisciplinary team. Resources like the aerodesign and thermofluids lab provided hands-on experience with high-quality engineering equipment used in the industry.”
She appreciates her liberal arts education as well. “I took outside courses to supplement my technical studies. This prepared me for a career that requires more than strictly technical skills. English, Spanish, and art classes improved my communication and presentation skills. I’ve received positive feedback on my success in effectively communicating my engineered solutions.”