Student Gains Confidence to Pursue Dream Career at Middlesex CC

“I am loving Middlesex Community College so far,” said Hanna Franca Gomes, an MCC Fashion Merchandising student from Minas Gerais in South Brazil. “I’ve always dreamed about working with fashion and having my own clothing brand, but only now I feel prepared and confident enough to start pursuing my professional life.”

Gomes is settling into her second semester at Middlesex. In addition to feeling more comfortable studying in a United States college classroom, she is improving skills such as time management and understanding all that is available to her at the college.

Whenever she has questions, faculty and staff are always available to answer them. She also takes advantage of online student support services that she finds are “just one click away” with quick and helpful information. “Not only the professors are exceptional, but everything else the college offers,” Gomes said. “We have support for all the situations we face as students.”

MCC’s Fashion Merchandising program initially stood out to her because it is one of only a few colleges to offer fashion programs in the area and she had friends recommend the school. Middlesex has “exceeded all the expectations I had,” making her feel optimistic for the future.

Having professors who are passionate for teaching their subject has helped Gomes better understand the material she is learning and how to apply it in the field. There are many opportunities inside and outside of the classroom – including a potential internship she is hoping to get – that are “offered equally to students.”

Her favorite part about the college is the dedication her professors show in helping her pursue her dreams. Combined with the knowledge and tools she can carry with her into the field, Middlesex is helping Gomes and her classmates “become leaders in our careers.”

“They encourage us to go after our goals and they pretty much assure us that we can achieve them,” she said. “Even when life turns out the way we were not expecting, we know that someone is there hoping for us to succeed.”

Gomes has found supportive professors even in classes outside of her program. English faculty member Joseph Nardoni is someone who Gomes said has “impacted me the most,” and she is looking forward to taking more of his classes.

“He is very good at what he does and he is very smart with the way he leads the class and teaches the content,” she said. “He taught me how to look at things from a different perspective with a sense of a real writer.”

In addition to her classes, Gomes is active around the MCC community. A member of both the Fashion Club and Bible Study group, she enjoys attending campus events. One of the benefits is meeting other people and practicing her English speaking skills, which Gomes believes helps her “with the process of learning the language.”

“Participating in clubs and events is a very good opportunity for you to get to know people, work on your networking, and socialize with students who are also in the same period you are in,” she said. “I met some nice people with very interesting ideals and ideas.”

After Gomes graduates from Middlesex, she plans to transfer to a state school and continue studying Fashion Design and work on her own Christian clothing brand. MCC has given her the opportunities, knowledge and skills she needs to move forward.

“With the classes I am taking at MCC, I will be ready to start my own business once I’m done and take responsibility of the legacy I want to build,” Gomes said. “MCC provides us every single ingredient we need to accomplish our goals, but it will always be up to us to make a good use of it.”

Part of the Business pathway, the Fashion Merchandising program at MCC helps students go into – and succeed in – the workforce or transfer to four-year schools with its award-winning and affordable offerings, small class sizes and flexible schedules. For more information, visit https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/discover/dyp_business.aspx to discover a path to a career in Fashion Merchandising at Middlesex.

Register now for MCC’s Spring 2022 Mini-mester II, starting on Monday, March 28. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/registration/ or call 1-800-818-3434 for more information.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in education for more than 50 years. Middlesex puts the student first. Meeting each learner where they are, MCC provides them with a safe, welcoming and engaging place to learn. Offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses – Middlesex features flexible course formats and a variety of award-winning student support services and resources. Student success starts at MCC!