What’s next for the Class of 2026: Syd Friedman

“What’s next for the Class of 2026” is a series that features Lafayette grads—where they’re headed, and the mentors, resources, and experiences that inspired their future path. Stay tuned for more stories throughout April and May.

(Photo | JaQuan Alston)

By Maddie Pedone ’26

Major:

Mechanical engineering with a philosophy minor  

Destination/future plans:

Working as a fluids design engineer at Amentum, the primary contractor of the Kennedy Space Center. Syd Friedman ’26 will join Amentum’s work on the Artemis missions and  also plans to obtain a PhD in the near future. 

Involvement on campus:  

Friedman participated in multiple productions both on and off the stage through Marquis Players, a nonprofit student-run theater organization, and Lafayette’s Theater Department. For Marquis Players, they were part of the build crew for Rent (2025) and Mean Girls (2026). They performed in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2024), Much Ado About Nothing (2025), and the recent production of Medea (2026). Friedman also served as the assistant stage manager for Silent Sky. 

Friedman joined the Tabletop Roleplay Appreciation Program (TRAP) club and special interest housing.

The experiences that mattered most: 

Friedman explained their participation in TRAP and theater productions has really helped them meet new people on campus and push themself to try something new.

“I met people there who now I’m really good friends with,” Friedman says. “I think deciding to step out of my comfort zone and actually do things was definitely the best thing I did.”  

How Lafayette shaped your future: 

An engineering-focused externship at Piccatinny Arsenal Army Base helped shape Friedman’s future. There, Friedman got to shadow an employee who worked on tank reinforcements and shielding—offering direct experience in the real world of engineering.

While at Lafayette, Friedman felt an immense amount of support and guidance from the Engineering Department. 

Friedman talked with David Mante, associate professor of civil engineering, about goals and plans after Lafayette. Mante connected Friedman with engineers in similar paths. Those connections led Friedman to apply to Amentum, which led to an interview, an internship, and later, a full-time job offer post-grad.

“Being able to be in small classes where I get to know my professors definitely [is] what allowed that to happen,” Friedman says. “I was randomly in his office during office hours. I wasn’t even in his class at the time, just stopping by to say hello.” 

Why Lafayette? 

Friedman explained they love that as a liberal arts student they are able to study in different fields outside of their major. 

“I think the fact that you can do more than just your major, because, you know, with engineering, you get very pulled into the depths of Acopian … you’re surrounded by people all the time talking just analytical stuff, all math and science,” Friedman says. 

“And then you walk across the Quad and all of a sudden you’re in Pardee. Philosophy is on the third floor, and the second I get up there, all of a sudden it’s just a different vibe. Being able to minor in something that isn’t a STEM field is huge,” Friedman notes of their philosophy minor.  

The people who inspired you along the way:

During the past four years at Lafayette, Friedman’s Gateway career counselor, Rebecca Shafer, associate director, career development and Gateway career counselor, has helped guide them through different career obstacles and interview practices. They explained this has allowed them to gain confidence and learn important professional skills for the real world. 

“When I got my job offer, I was able to ask, ‘This is the starting salary, how should I approach this?’ and she helped guide me through how to discuss that,” Friedman says. “Gateway is really helpful in preparing you for what you can expect.” 

Friedman has loved all of their mechanical engineering professors, but noted Jenn Stroud Rossmann, William Jeffers Dean of Engineering, really helped during their fluids course. 

“I really liked the class, but I was struggling with exams, and I would go to talk with her after every single exam and just be like, ‘Here’s how I was thinking through this problem,’” Friedman says. “She was really helpful in following along with my logic, and then helping me identify if I got confused or lost in the problem.”

Brent Utter ’06, associate professor of mechanical engineering, also provided helpful advice for Friedman to be successful on his challenging exams. 

Friedman appreciated “being able to have that connection with a professor who can help guide you through the challenges that come with an engineering major.” 

Friedman also shared that their philosophy professors have been helpful in allowing them to feel welcomed and successful in the classroom. 

“It was really easy to feel intimidated [in philosophy classes], but the professors were genuinely so nice,” Friedman says, noting they always encouraged students to ask questions.

Advice for future Leopards:

“Go to your professor’s office hours. I think doing that is the easiest bit of advice I can give because there’s no way it can be a bad thing,” Friedman says. 

They explained whether a student goes to office hours to ask for help or to tell the professor they are enjoying the class, it helps build personal relationships. 

Friedman also said students should not be afraid to ask questions. 

“Half the time when you end up asking questions, everyone else in the class has that question too. I feel like everyone always says that, but it’s really true.”