STEM Promise Recipient Excited for MSIT Experience

Carlos Manjarres (MSIT '25) spent a decade as a radio frequency transmission systems technician in the US Air Force. In that role, he was responsible for the communications pipeline that delivered radar picture, email, and other radio communications.

The experience piqued his interest in information technology (IT).

Thanks to the STEM Promise Scholarship, Manjarres is exploring that interest as a student in Northwestern Engineering's Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) program.

"I could not believe that I had been selected among so many talented applicants," Manjarres said. "I was humbled and grateful for this unique, rare, and prestigious opportunity. It took a few months for the reality to sink in."

Scholarship recipients, who receive full tuition funding through the length of their studies, follow a non-traditional path or tend to overcome adversity to advance their education in the STEM fields. Many are first-generation college students, attended college after or during military service, returned to college after an interruption in their studies, or attended community college before earning their undergraduate degrees. Northwestern’s McCormick School of Engineering offers a limited number of STEM Promise scholarships each year.

Manjarres is a process and quality engineer at Motorola Solutions. Much like his work in the Air Force, Manjarres appreciates the constant need to evolve his knowledge base at Motorola.

"I like the ever-changing nature of the work," he said. "One must always stay on top of current trends and emerging technologies to be an effective member within IT. Everyone nowadays needs IT, and I enjoy being in a support role."

It was that same yearning for further education that drew Manjarres to an advanced degree.

"I feel it is important to continually improve and stay in touch with the academic environment that is rich with growth," he said. "It keeps you up to date on the latest industry trends."

As he began to explore graduate-level programs, he was drawn to MSIT — specifically the program's balance between technical knowledge and business management. The fact that 70 percent of the curriculum emphasized technology and 30 percent emphasized business management felt like a good balance to Manjarres.

It's a balance he's now looking forward to learning. On top of that, Manjarres is looking forward to meeting his classmates and building bonds between them and the faculty.

"My goal is to network with all the great people in the program and share my experiences so that we can all make the world a better place going forward," he said. "I look forward to the discussions within the cohort that will inevitably shape us as well as the environments we will become a part of in the future."

That may sound too aspirational, but Manjarres believes there is no such thing. He never imagined he'd receive the STEM Promise Scholarship. Now he's determined to take advantage of the opportunity.

"For those who have limited themselves because of their socioeconomic situation or standing, this is proof that if you are a good person with dedication and resiliency, there is a way to make it," he said. "Just keep the faith."