Told he couldn’t be an engineer — now a licensed Civil Engineer building bridges in Colorado.

In this powerful first episode of the Why STEM Podcast, host Dr. Rameesh Madourie sits down with Kemmy Mizinga, a first-generation African-American Civil Engineer, to explore the highs and lows of pursuing a career in STEM.

Kemmy shares how a high school counselor’s doubt nearly derailed his dreams — and how grit, mentorship, and resilience helped him break the mold and achieve success in the engineering world.

If you’re a student, educator, parent, or STEM professional looking for real stories that inspire and empower, this episode is for you.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Kemmy turned academic rejection into fuel for success
• The mindset of a first-generation immigrant family pursuing STEM
• Why mentorship and representation matter in engineering
• What it takes to thrive in STEM even when the odds are stacked against you
• Advice for students struggling with math and confidence

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