Alumni Spotlight: Cole Shubert ’11

BEYOND THE GATES: ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Cole Shubert ’11

1. What did you learn at CDS that helped prepare you for your career at SpaceX?

At CDS, I learned how to work hard. I learned that putting in the time and effort, it’ll pay off immensely. At the time, I worked my behind off (especially in math, science, and Spanish). At CDS you are forced to work hard, but there’s a safety net there for you to fail. They’ll pick you back up again and again until you gain independence. 2. Was there a CDS teacher that influenced your interest in math and science? 5. Did you ever take a family trip to a space museum that piqued your interest when you were young? If so, where did you go and what do you remember?

My math teacher Mrs. Finch! She helped spark my love for math (which we use every day in engineering). Those classes were hard, but extremely worth it. She helped teach me problem solving, critical thinking, and helped prepare me to love math in high school and college. 3. What led you to believe that you could do this and follow your dream? What was the ah-ha moment when you realized that you could do this and sent your résumé?

It was kind of a leap of faith to upload my résumé. Graduating high school and starting college, I had no idea what I wanted to do within the field of engineering. It took me several years of college to finally figure out I wanted to work in the space industry. I didn’t really have a definite ah-ha moment, but just the thought to not sell myself short. Don’t tell yourself no; don’t let anyone or anything stand in your way of chasing your dreams.

4. Did you have planes or rockets as a child? Did you enjoy watching movies like Star Wars or NASA shuttles going to space?

As a child I really liked military planes, like fighter jets and the C-17 cargo planes that they build right in Charleston. I remember seeing the Blue Angels fly by my house and was just amazed at how cool they were. When I was a little older, I was reading a book about the modern technological wonders of the world, and the space shuttle was one of them. Since then, I have had an interest in space and wondered how I could work on something like the shuttle. When SpaceX started to appear in the news more and more when I was in college, I saw it as an opportunity to apply and see where a job with them could take me.

My family and I visited the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. when I was in second or third grade. It’s this huge building with planes everywhere: out front when you drive in, around every corner inside, and hanging from the ceiling. I just remember how large everything was and wondered what allowed them to even get off the ground, much less stay in the air or make it to space. Now I get to dive deep into understanding what makes rockets fly and how to make them better, cheaper, and more accessible to people like myself. 6. What is it about working on rockets that you like?

I like the raw power and spectacle of the rocket tests that I help direct. I get to work daily on one of the most advanced space systems the world has ever seen. It is extremely exciting to troubleshoot problems and make the testing process more efficient.

7. Do you have a project you’re working on that you can share with us?

I am currently working on the next rocket that is going to take people to the International Space Station. This includes rigorous testing to ensure that the rocket is safe enough to fly astronauts hundreds of miles above the earth. I have to make sure the rocket and engines work by test firing them at our test site in Texas. Then we will troubleshoot any problematic hardware and send it to Cape Canaveral, Florida for launch.

8. What role, if any did your parents play in identifying your interest in your profession?

They gave me the tools and encouragement to pursue whatever I wanted. I didn’t have a specific career in mind while growing up, but they supported every single one of my interests and pushed me to work hard and succeed. I wouldn’t have gotten where I am today without their support and their excitement for the things I did, from being in the CDS science fair in 6th grade to getting into USC to starting work at SpaceX! 9. What’s your favorite part about going to work each day?

I like that I never stop learning and that, while it can be frustrating, I encounter new problems that I have to solve every day. We are constantly striving to improve our tests by writing new automation, upgrading our ground equipment, and streamlining our process. I have one of the most exciting jobs I can think of, and I never get tired of watching an engine test or working on a 150 foot tall rocket.

10. When did you start dreaming about a career with the Space X program?

Honestly, it wasn’t until college that I started to become interested in SpaceX. I dreamed about a lot of different professions but not a single one for very long. It would have been encouraging to know that not everyone has their career or life path figured out fully and that it is never too late to determine what you want to do.

11. What advice would you give to a young person that has the same love for space but might be intimidated they couldn’t get into the field?

Do not put your dreams on hold or convince yourself that you cannot do something. You are your own best supporter, and only you know what you are truly capable of. So, get out there, learn new things, work hard, and follow what makes you happy. 12. What things do you enjoy doing for fun when you are not working?

I like to go dirt biking, play golf, and go rock climbing. I played golf at CDS and still play pretty frequently. I took up rock climbing in high school and have found several places to go around Texas. I also just recently took up dirt biking, which I am learning to get the hang of on my weekends. I prefer to spend my free time outside, whether it is doing any of those activities or just hanging out in the backyard with my dog. 13. What words of wisdom would you have for future Scorpions?

Find something you like to do and stick with it! Whether it is sports, reading, art, or math, find your niche and stick with it. I know this is for a school publication, but school is not everything. If you find your passion outside of school too, you can eventually apply what you learned in school to become better at your “thing”. 10. RED or BLUE team?

RED!!!

Cole Schubert’s 2011 class mural.

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Hiking in Kauai, HI in 2021. Pictured left to right: Cole, Scott, Carter (’13) and Amy Shubert