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During his time in the Pathway to Success program, Abdulrahman studied at Rutgers University, graduating in 2021 with a degree in Computer Science and a minor in Biological Sciences. Today, he works as a Software Engineer at JPMorgan Chase. 

Abdulrahman credits Pathways with broadening his understanding of potential career paths and introducing him to fields he hadn’t previously considered. “In school, you tend to learn about a few majors and their careers,” he reflects. “But with our internships and exposure to employees at Johnson & Johnson, we were able to explore multiple paths and learn that there’s more out there.” This exposure helped him solidify his interests and understand the environments and roles that would best support his long-term goals. 

One of the most valuable experiences for Abdulrahman was a resume-building workshop that provided direct feedback from recruiters. “People pay for resume advice all the time, but we had access to the people who actually read them,” he shares. That session continues to shape how he presents himself professionally and he still refers to the notes from that workshop when updating his resume today. 

While at Rutgers, Abdulrahman faced a scheduling conflict between two key exams, which threatened his academic timeline. With encouragement and guidance from his Pathways mentor, he successfully navigated the situation by reaching out to the appropriate university offices and rescheduling the exams. “That reassurance helped me move forward instead of giving up,” he recalled. 

Abdulrahman’s internship with Johnson & Johnson played a major role in his development, giving him practical experience in a corporate tech setting without the typical entry barriers. “It allowed me to focus on real-world skills like team collaboration and communication,” he said. A standout moment was presenting his final project to senior members of his team. The experience helped sharpen his professional confidence and public speaking skills. 

The mentorship component of the program was equally impactful. “Having someone to talk through career decisions with, someone who’s already made those decisions, really helped shape my mindset,” he said. That mentorship bridged the gap between theory-based coursework and practical, real-world insight, giving him the confidence to continue seeking support and advice even after the program ended. 

Looking back, Abdulrahman says his biggest takeaway from Pathways is his appreciation for the resources it provided. “It gave me guidance that many students have to search for on their own, which allowed me to focus on rising above the competition,” he said. 

In terms of advice for today’s youth, Abdulrahman values seizing new opportunities over everything. “Be open to any opportunity. Don’t be afraid to try something new. You never know where it might lead,” he says.