Creating Careers

Sept. 20, 2024 – We all clearly remember those “firsts” in our lives.

It may be our first car, our first date, or in the case of Ashley Egenti – her first exposure to manufacturing.

But the path toward that moment wasn’t exactly linear. When Egenti began her undergraduate studies at the University of North Texas in August 2017, her sights were set on majoring in biology.

It wasn’t until her junior year that a shift in interests began – all thanks to her first job at UNT.

She saw an opportunity to work at UNT’s Engineering Manufacturing Facility. Although she wasn’t sure what exactly drew her to the EMF, one thing became clear immediately.

“I just loved the opportunity to be using my hands,” said Egenti. “That’s when it clicked.”

She started tinkering with mills, lathes and lasers. She and others did projects to learn the capabilities of the shop’s equipment. It also provided her with time to teach others how to do things like welding.

As she capped off her undergraduate studies with a degree in biology, she decided that going back for a master’s in biomedical engineering was the next step.

When she returned to start her master’s, she continued working at the EMF. Then one day, another opportunity presented itself.

In October 2023, UNT was slated to begin an America’s Cutting Edge CNC machining bootcamp. Egenti signed up.

“It helped me be a better engineer overall,” she said, noting that exposure to Fusion and meeting incumbent workers who were also in the camp was eye-opening.

“Learning about their day-to-day work with CNC machines was great,” she said. “It was great seeing things their way.”

Egenti proudly got her bootcamp certificate, which helped her springboard into a seasonal opportunity as a co-op manufacturing engineer with Abbott – a medical devices and health care company – in January.

As spring turned to summer, she looked to what was next – ACE bootcamp certification and master’s degree in hand. She tapped into her network to learn more about a company many are familiar with – Lockheed Martin.

She thought the company would be a great fit for her and decided to pursue an open manufacturing engineer role.

Can you guess what happened next?

“I was driving when I got a phone call,” she said. “It was from the recruiter. She said they were extending me a job offer.”

The moment the call ended, the emotions poured out.

“I got the job!” she exclaimed.

She credits that in part to her experience with ACE. She says she’s put the bootcamp certification on her resume and LinkedIn profile – and it’s consistently generated interest.

“People always ask me about it,” she said. “It’s a really strong influence.”

Dr. Hector Siller, a professor at UNT who also heads their ACE training, says this is the outcome they hope to achieve.

“The combination of skills that she brought to the marketplace is remarkable, and the addition of ACE to her portfolio of credentials is very well appreciated by companies like Lockheed and other big players in the growth of America’s economy,” said Siller.

As for Egenti, she’s now focused on excelling in her new career. And for those who are still searching for theirs, she offers a small piece of advice.

“Be open to manufacturing,” she said.

If you’re still searching for your career, get started with no-cost online training with America’s Cutting Edge. Then, join Egenti and the thousands of others who’ve attended a CNC machining bootcamp. See the schedule of what’s next here.