​Middlesex Community College alum Kwadwo Bempah, from Ghana and now living in Lowell, was selected for a prized internship with Juniper Networks in their California office. After graduating from MCC in Spring 2022, Bempah transferred to UMass Lowell to continue studying Electrical Engineering. He received the MCC Foundation Juniper Scholars Pilot Scholarship in 2021 and looks forward to continue working with the leader in secure, AI-drive networks as a software engineering intern.

“[The internship] came about from a lot of hard work, perseverance, prayers and patience,” Bempah said. “It will help me build a network of lifelong connections, give me a glimpse of what my career could potentially be, and help me acquire the skills and tools necessary to succeed in the fast-moving technology industry.”

Through the MCC Foundation’s scholarship with Juniper, Bempah received funding to go toward his academic expenses and other costs for three years, including when he transferred to UMass Lowell. The scholarship included a monthly mentorship with a Juniper employee, job-shadow experience after completing 30+ credits, and the opportunity to hone skills that will make him more hirable in the future. He describes this experience as a collaborative scholarship and mentorship program.

“I have been fortunate to experience immense personal and professional growth under the careful guidance of Juniper’s long-tenured, industry mentors,” he said. “Having a connection and mentorship with a professional is crucial for personal and professional development. It means having absolute access to another person who has succeeded in treading a similar path as mine as a personal compass in navigating the space that I’m in right now.”

“My hope is that the connections I have made and knowledge I gained through my education at MCC will be a stepping stone to achieving this goal!” - Kwadwo Bempah, MCC Alum

MCC professor Kathleen Brooks encouraged Bempah to apply for the internship, as well as guided him in his interest in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) field. He also credits MCC’s now Dean of STEM Dr. Marie Tupaj for impacting his time at the college, ensuring he “strive for excellence” throughout his journey.

“The incredible instructors and professors go above and beyond to present material in easily digestible formats,” Bempah said. “The endless number of opportunities to problem solve that it gives and the promise of a high-reward career are some of the top things about MCC.”

He chose to come to Middlesex because the college offered an affordable price and it was close to home. Calling his experience “very worthwhile,” Bempah believes MCC provided him with the right environment to transition from high school to college.

At MCC, Bempah also learned how to translate his interest in computers into a career. Growing up in Ghana, he wanted to be like his grandfather who worked as a geotechnical engineer. Although he was in awe of how computers turned on, he had limited exposure to and experience with computers at the time.

When he moved to the United States, he determined to study Electrical Engineering and “attempt to learn more about computers and understand how they work.”

“My ultimate goal is to someday be able to make computers more accessible to kids in Ghana who hold the same aspirations as I held when I was in their position,” Bempah said. “My hope is that the connections I have made and knowledge I gained through my education at MCC will be a stepping stone to achieving this goal!”