Shown left to right: Panelists Colin Williams, software developer at QueueDr, Dave Maddaluno, technical operations specialist at TJX Companies, and Demetria Williams ’04, systems administrator at Northrop Grumman, discuss their work during recent career panel.

On a recent Thursday evening, dozens of students from the Northern Essex Community College computer science and information technology programs gathered in the Haverhill campus Spurk Building for “The Pipeline from School to Industry,” a free three-part career panel event hosted by NECC’s computer science department.

Moderated by Assistant Professor Michael Penta, the panels featured a mix of current students, recent graduates, and graduate professionals who provided insight on their career journeys and other workforce topics.

The lineup of panelists included many who credited NECC with helping them get a kick-start on their paths toward professional success.

“I returned to campus because of just how powerful NECC was in shaping my career,” says Samantha Romano ’16, who currently works as an implementation specialist at Zerto. “NECC helped me more in finding and achieving success than any other educational institution I’ve been to and I can’t thank the professors here enough.”

Other attendees were just starting out on their paths, eager to share with and learn from their peers.

This and other similar forums, according to Penta, are designed to enable students and graduates to come together in an informal space that will enhance their knowledge of the industry and help them understand how they can better find success upon leaving NECC.

“My hope is that programs like this will build awareness for and interest in STEM careers and help students hone their communications skills,” says Penta. “The more we connect with them and provide connections for them, the more successful they will be – constant contact is the most important tool to ensuring achievement.”

Shown left to right: Panelists Nicholas Motta ’17, systems technician at Tidal Communications, Samantha Romano ’16, implementation specialist at Zerto, Sam Rahiminejad ’15, helpdesk technician at OnePath, and Angela DiVeglia ’18, systems engineer at Axis Computer Networks.

A question and answer session followed the main event proceedings.

“The Pipeline from School to Industry” was sponsored by the Northeast Regional STEM Network, an initiative that aims to connect educators, community leaders, and industry partners and energize students about opportunities in STEM industries.

Northern Essex Community College offers associate degrees in computer and information sciences, with concentrations in information technology, networking & security, and transfer. Students can also pursue a certificate in networking.