A leader of STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education, Middlesex Community College hosted an Engineering Panel Night in the Fall 2025 semester. Held on the college’s Bedford Campus, the event allowed students to hear from a panel of professional engineers, including an MCC alumna.
“It's important to hear from professionals at this point in my academic journey because it helps provide clarity about what different types of engineers do on a day-to-day basis,” said Kaili Sagal, an MCC Computer Aided Design (CAD) engineering student, of Tewksbury. “This furthers our understanding of the different career paths and opportunities available to us through the education Middlesex provides. Learning about as many aspects of the different fields as I can helps me to make more informed decisions about what I want to work toward for my future career.”
“I learned about the stories of various engineers in the industry, and their advice and recommendations to students,” said Angie Falcone, an MCC CAD engineering student, of Lowell. “The speakers were all very insightful. The event is great for networking and career building. I’m glad that it’s continued to develop and gain traction with students.”
Organized by MCC’s Chair of Engineering Cris Algarra, the event featured five professionals in the field who shared their personal stories. Panelists discussed how they decided on working in engineering, where they went to school, their career paths, and the challenges they faced. The panelists included Glorianne Niebuhr, Nicoleta Cozi, Courtney Videchak, Frank Pan, Chitra Javdekar and MCC alumna Esra Eisa.
“It felt like a full-circle moment – coming back to the place where my journey truly began,” Eisa said. “I know exactly how it feels to sit in those classrooms – wondering what comes next, questioning your major, or feeling unsure about your future. MCC is where I learned English, built the foundation of my education, and grew as a person. It holds a special place in my heart, and coming back to support current students felt very meaningful.”
A graduate of MCC’s mechanical engineering program, Eisa discussed her journey of moving to the United States, learning a new language, and exploring opportunities for her future career. Emphasizing the value of a STEM education, she also talked about the projects and research she completed, as well as her transition from school to working in the industry. Eisa is now a mechanical engineer at Salas O’Brien.
A Visiting Professor in the School of Engineering at Wentworth Institute of Technology, Javdekar shared how her early experiences as a civil and structural engineer shaped her ideas and brought about new opportunities. Having worked at a community college in the past, she was excited to speak with Middlesex students.
"In my experience, not all students who wish to pursue their dream engineering career seem to have the professional networks or guidance and support at the start of their academic journey to be able to make informed decisions about their future careers,” Javdejar said. “I saw this panel as a wonderful opportunity to fulfill this need, and also to connect with students at MCC and contribute to this important cause.”
Principal Engineer at Bosch, Pan is responsible for innovative projects and working with external suppliers. A former professor, he was excited to meet with MCC students and share his journey from college to working in the industry.
“Engineering is hard but there are lots of opportunities, which also can make a huge positive impact in society,” Pan said. “The lessons given by [the professionals] can definitely help students to avoid the same mistakes in their careers.”
More than 100 students attended this year’s event, according to Algarra. Proud to be a community college professor, he was proud to show students the different paths they can take with an engineering degree.