Courage Lahban

COURAGE LAHBAN
Engineer at Type One Energy
HCCC AS Engineering Science

Courage Lahban is an engineer with Type One Energy, focusing on stellarator technology in magnetic confinement nuclear fusion.

“My path to education continued at Hudson County Community College (HCCC), where I first explored my passion for problem-solving and discovered the potential of a career in engineering.”

“I view each challenge as an opportunity for growth and this mindset is the cornerstone of my academic and professional journey.”

As a young a teenager who had just relocated to Cameroon, and adapting to an entirely new environment, I embraced every obstacle as an opportunity, laying a solid foundation for my future in engineering. After earning my associate degree in 2020, I transferred to NJIT, where I studied with a major in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Applied Mathematics. Navigating the demands of coursework, balancing responsibilities, and transferring to a four-year institution wasn’t always easy. However, those challenges became catalysts for growth, teaching me how to adapt and stay focused on my goals. HCCC was more than just a place to earn credits; it was a foundation that prepared me for the rigorous environment at NJIT and beyond. Today, as part of the team at a start-up building a first-of-a kind technology, I continue to borrow from the lessons I learned from embracing new opportunities, solving complex problems, and now working toward a sustainable future through fusion research.

What resources or support services (e.g., tutoring, counseling, career services) did you find most helpful?

I utilized tutoring, career services, and one-on-one faculty mentorship, and these services were instrumental in my success.

What were the biggest challenges you faced during your time at community college?

My challenges were adapting to a new environment (new country) as a Cameroonian and academic culture while balancing studies and personal responsibilities. Imagine stepping into a completely different society, with a different culture, values, customs, and an entirely new education system. That was my experience, in a nutshell, and the transition was very frequently overwhelming

Were you involved in any student organizations, clubs, or leadership roles?

As a member of the STEM Club, I participated in engineering projects and a variety of outreach activities. I still remember meeting Anas, a good friend, while we were walking to an evening class. He shared his experiences at Hudson and mentioned that he was leading the STEM club where they were building and would be launching rockets during the summer. By the time we got into the classroom, I was sold.