At just twenty-three, Celeste Mhlahlo is already carving out a promising career in software development. Having recently completed her internship at MIP, Celeste now thrives as a Junior Software Engineer, championing the Progress OpenEdge platform. Her journey—marked by curiosity, adaptability and a growing love for backend development—is an inspiration for young talent considering a future in technology.
From Medicine to Software: A Path Defined by Discovery
Celeste’s road to coding was anything but conventional. Originally considering a career in medicine, she discovered IT as a subject in high school and, with it, programming. Experimenting with Java, Python, Visual Basic, SQL and C++, Celeste quickly realized she felt at home among logic and problem-solving.
“Being a developer wasn’t always a plan. I actually pursued medicine, but then in high school I saw IT as a subject choice, and I wanted to go for it.”
Her curiosity eventually led her to MIP and its well-known internship program.
“I saw MIP and I thought, wow, this looks interesting, especially the first couple of tests… the encryption and photography challenge and then the robot puzzles. I was like, oh, this is quite fun.”
Internship to Professional: The Power of Practical Learning
The transition from academia to industry can be daunting, but for Celeste, her internship bridged the gap.
“I love them [internships]. The degree is the introduction, and I feel like an internship exposes you to what is really out there and how everything works.”
At MIP, she learned not only technical skills but also how to collaborate, ask for help and troubleshoot complex real-world issues. The experience cemented her belief that more companies should invest in structured internship programs:
“I appreciate that MIP Holdings has a structure for that. They’re willing to take anyone as long as they’re willing to learn.”
Embracing Progress OpenEdge and ABL
When Celeste was introduced to Progress OpenEdge and its ABL programming language, she was struck by its approachability:
“It’s almost like reading English. Simple, but still structured.”
She appreciates how ABL combines accessible syntax with powerful backend capabilities:
- “It’s simple, but you can still do a lot of complex things with it.”
- “Direct interaction with the database is cool.”
- “Testing is straightforward. It doesn’t need a lot of setup.”
Celeste calls OpenEdge a “language for everyone,” noting that even those new to the field can quickly become productive:
“OpenEdge is a language for everyone. You can just learn it, and once you get the basics done, you can still do quite a lot.”
Advice for Aspiring Developers
For those just hearing about OpenEdge and ABL, or for young people unsure about taking the plunge, Celeste has clear advice:
“Just be open!”
She also encourages new developers to take advantage of Progress resources:
“There’s documentation, community Q&As and internal guides. If you look, the help is there, and it’s clear and easy to follow compared to some languages I’ve used.”
Final Reflections
Celeste’s story is a testament to the power of curiosity, resilience, and the value of supportive early-career programs. Whether wrestling with backend code or navigating the uncertainties of a new language, her optimism and determination shine through.
To those considering a similar journey, Celeste says:
“One of the traits of being a developer is being willing to try out new technologies. And if at first you do not succeed, just try again.”
Inspired by Celeste’s story?
Learn more about OpenEdge, explore free training, and begin your journey as a developer today.
Jessica (Malakian) Newton
Progress Software empowers organizations to achieve transformational success in the face of disruptive change. Our software enables our customers to develop, deploy and manage responsible AI-powered applications and digital experiences with agility and ease.
Bio Overview
With over five years of experience in product marketing, Jessica has developed a strong foundation in application development and database management software. Her entire career has been at Progress, where she began as an intern in 2020 and have since contributed to multiple products, including the Progress Corticon business rules management system and others.
Jessica specializes in Go-To-Market strategy, execution and management for the Progress OpenEdge platform—leading both campaigns and new product launches, as well as content development, market and persona research and other product marketing activities. She consistently delivers results that drive customer retention and foster innovation. Her public speaking skills have been recognized, notably when she placed first in the Pi Sigma Epsilon South/Atlantic Regional Speakers Competition.
Her goal is to empower customers and partners to fully realize the value of their OpenEdge technology—enabling them to modernize, innovate, and achieve greater business impact by maximizing existing investments and seamlessly embracing new capabilities. Whether it’s migrating to the latest version of the OpenEdge applications or leveraging the Progress Data Platform, she is dedicated to showing organizations how to transform their technology into a strategic advantage. Currently, she focuses on multiple initiatives for the OpenEdge platform, including modernization, expanding the developer base, AI integration, security and more, helping customers and partners succeed in a rapidly evolving landscape. Outside of work, Jessica enjoys writing and reading, which help her stay creative and balanced.
Areas of Expertise
- Product Marketing Strategy
- Go-To-Market Execution and Management
- Content Development
- Market and Persona Research
- Public Speaking
Credentials & Publications
- Pi Sigma Epsilon South/Atlantic Regional Speakers Competition – First Place
Connect with Me
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicamalakian/
- Contact Me / Request a Collaboration: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicamalakian/