The graduates of the 40th cohort of the Microelectronics Boot Camp at Nashua Community College. Courtesy photo/Nashua Community College

NASHUA – Ten weeks of toil have come and gone for the 40th cohort of the Microelectronics Boot Camp at Nashua Community College.

As a single mother, graduate Sarah Paterson said she enrolled in the boot camp to provide a brighter future for her son.

“Taking this course has been one of the best decisions of my life,” she said during the April 8 ceremony.

Graduate Rubia Salguero described the challenges she faced as English is not her first language.

“Learning a language as an adult is humbling in ways that are hard to explain. I joined the Microelectronics Boot Camp and the challenge doubled, this is technical English, words I’ve never seen before. I was translating and learning at the same time,” she said. “Growth doesn’t happen when things are easy, but when they are uncomfortable.”

In addition to Paterson and Salguero, the other graduates include Alma Alberto Cabrera, Anthony Campanelli, Ada Ly, Owen Mosteiro, Isaiah Naroff, Kathy Nguyen, Lauren Reutlinger, Andrew Ribak, Zamari Silva and Amelia Volk.

Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (D-NH) was also on hand to offer her congratulations.

“It is truly humbling what you have been through in the past 10 weeks,” she said. “I want to tell you how much you inspire me. You all had different paths to the stage tonight, but what unites you is your commitment to hard work. We’re lucky that each and every one of you have put in the work, it’s so important to national security and our community.”

Launched in partnership with BAE Systems 10 years ago, the boot camp is designed to teach students the intricacies of ribbon/wire bonding, manual epoxy dispense and die attach work. Since 2016, 415 students have completed the program and more than 90 percent have found jobs in manufacturing and microelectronics. Graduates are guaranteed to have an interview with BAE.

“Graduates of this boot camp are well equipped to hit the ground running,” said David Kneedler, director of Manufacturing Engineering at Analog Devices, adding that his company has hired several boot camp graduates over the years.

Tuition for each boot camp is $6,000 with sessions running all year. The next boot camp is scheduled to begin on April 27. To enroll, contact Workforce Development Director Jon Mason at jmason@ccsnh.edu or at 603-578-8900 ext. 1763.