In high school, Irfan Margoob, of Burlington, was more interested in working on his art than his classes. With his friends’ influence and family’s support, he graduated. Margoob’s family continued to encourage him, leading him to attend Middlesex Community College and major in Graphic Design. At MCC as a student, his outlook, hobbies and habits changed. He now works at the college as a Graphic Designer for MCC’s Office of Marketing Communications.

“Middlesex is where I broke out of my shell and started to talk to and hang out with people outside of school,” Margoob said. “I found Middlesex to be one of the best environments I have ever been in. The willingness to all learn together was incredible and everybody was super friendly.”

MCC’s Graphic Design program helped Margoob better understand different creative software and how to use them more efficiently. Beyond learning the fundamentals of the career path, he developed his own style and approach. Margoob credits his growth to professors like Joe Eiler and Jeanne Cronin. Through their guidance, he expanded his knowledge in and outside of the classroom.

“Eiler genuinely tried to teach me lessons to make sure that I could succeed,” Margoob said. “He wanted me to know that I can get the education I need to be a graphic designer and that I do have the skills and talent. The same goes for all the professors at Middlesex, they are all very encouraging. I never really asked for help in high school but coming into Middlesex, I started becoming more open to asking questions.”

Margoob made friends in his classes as well as by joining an unofficial Dungeons & Dragons club at the college. He found working with his fellow designers and peers to be beneficial and motivating. “We had friendly competition with each other which I thought was healthy,” he said. “It helped me want to achieve more.”

“Middlesex is where I broke out of my shell and started to talk to and hang out with people outside of school. I found Middlesex to be one of the best environments I have ever been in. The willingness to all learn together was incredible and everybody was super friendly.” - Irfan Margoob, MCC's Graphic Designer

After Margoob received his associate degree at MCC in 2018, he wanted to continue to push himself. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design at Lesley University in 2022. This experience reconnected him with his friends from MCC and improved the way he viewed design as an art form and career. While attending Lesley, he also interned at Lowell Telecommunications Center as a graphic designer.

Upon completing his education, Margoob worked at Essex Media Group as a Page Layout Designer. The opportunity to work at MCC appeared in a Facebook group post that Cronin shared with alumni of MCC’s Graphic Design program. Returning to MCC as an employee was an exciting prospect for Margoob.

“Middlesex holds a very special place in my heart,” he said. “It is the place where I really found most of my personality to have developed and met all of my long-term close friends. The college set forth who I am and what I am doing right now with my career.”