Developer Spotlight: Celeste Mhlahlo Says OpenEdge Is a Language for Everyone

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.