When Ashley Jeffirs walked onto her college campus, she wasn’t sure what career path she wanted to follow. She knew she loved math and science, but she also knew that biomedical engineering wasn’t the right fit for her.
Instead, Ashley leaned into what she loved most: solving problems, working with her hands, and creating things that matter. That decision set her on a journey to Indiana’s advanced industries, where today she’s making sparks fly—literally.
As a manufacturing engineer in Zimmer Biomet’s foundry, Ashley works in an environment where molten metal at 3,000 degrees is shaped into implants that restore movement and change lives.
“I didn’t picture myself in the foundry, but the moment I worked with metal, I knew it was where I belonged,” Ashley says. “It’s incredible to know the work I do here helps create implants that make a real difference for people everywhere.”
From Small-Town Roots to Big Impact
Ashley grew up in northern Indiana and wanted a college experience that felt personal and close-knit, so she chose Trine University. There, she stumbled across metallurgy and foundry sciences through her minor, and everything clicked.
She first connected with Zimmer Biomet at a career fair, landing an internship that gave her hands-on experience in extremities manufacturing. That taste of real-world engineering gave her the confidence to pursue a full-time career after graduation.
Innovation in Action
Ashley isn’t just working in the foundry; she’s already leaving her mark. She helps oversee the process of investment casting, where wax patterns are transformed into ceramic molds, molten metal is poured, and multiple implants are created simultaneously.
Her contributions have already saved the company time and money. She redesigned a tool to last a full year instead of just three weeks and spearheaded a project that reduced scrap material, saving $383,000.
But for Ashley, success isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about people.
“The best part of my job is being side by side with operators on the floor,” Ashley says. “When they bring me a problem, and together we find a solution, seeing the pride and excitement on their faces reminds me that what I do truly makes a difference.”
Advice for Other Young Adults
Ashley knows many high school students feel uncertain about the future; she was one of them. Her advice:
- Be adaptable. “Plans change, and that’s okay.”
- Find balance. “Don’t let school or work take over your life.”
- Speak up. “Your voice matters, even if you’re the youngest person in the room.”
Planting Roots in Indiana
Indiana is home to powerhouse industries, including advanced manufacturing, life sciences, agbiosciences, logistics, and technology. For Ashley, staying in Indiana has meant being part of global innovation while working close to home.
“You don’t have to leave Indiana to do work that matters,” Ashley says. “Right here, there are opportunities to innovate, solve real problems, and build a career that changes lives.”
Ashley Jeffirs’ journey shows that meaningful careers in Indiana’s advanced industries don’t always start with a clear plan. Sometimes, they begin with curiosity, a willingness to try something new, and the courage to discover where they belong.
Her story is proof: the sparks that fly when you follow your passions can ignite a career that changes lives.
Want to turn your interests into a meaningful, fulfilling career? Explore opportunities in Indiana’s growing industries and discover the connections, programs, and possibilities that can help you See Yourself IN Indiana’s advanced industries. Get started today!