Navigating the tech industry can be daunting for anyone, but for Youssef Bazi, a first-generation student studying Software Engineering, the barrier to entry felt almost insurmountable. Despite his hard work in his studies, he found himself struggling to figure out how to actually break into the industry. Without a professional network or industry guidance, he felt lost, unsure of what steps to take or where to even begin applying his skills.
A recommendation from a friend changed his trajectory entirely. Youssef learned about the College to Career Pathways (CC Pathways) program and decided to reach out. To his surprise, he received same-day responses from both an advisor and Jean, the Program Manager. Before he knew it, he was sitting in a meeting learning how the program could bridge the gap between his coursework and a real career.
Shortly after connecting with CC Pathways, Youssef secured his first internship. The experience was transformative. He was introduced to the core concepts and real-world best practices of Software Engineering that are rarely taught in a classroom. Surrounded by mentorship, the lost feeling he had harbored at the beginning of his journey quickly faded away, replaced by confidence and technical capability.
For a first-generation student, this hands-on support meant everything. Armed with his new experience and the backing of his mentors, Youssef recently landed an interview for a web development role—and got the job. He credits his success entirely to the guidance and support system he found at CC Pathways.