WGTC GED Graduate Shares Inspiring Educational and Professional Journey

Carrollton, GA – For Nii Ahene N. Boye, earning his GED at West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) in 2013 was just the beginning of an educational and professional journey that would change his life forever.

In 2011, Boye came to the United States from Ghana to pursue further academic opportunities so he could help support his family. Despite already graduating from high school, transferring his education credentials was extremely difficult. Rather than allow that obstacle to stop his progress, Boye enrolled at WGTC to earn his GED.

“The journey to earning my GED was not easy,” Boye said. “I worked full-time, often at night, attended classes during the day, and supported my family while pursuing my education. My advice for earning your GED is to take the first step and keep building from there. Take advantage of every opportunity available, continue to develop yourself, and do not become discouraged if your journey takes longer than expected.”

After earning his GED, Boye received a $500 education voucher that helped him take his next step. In 2014, he enrolled at WGTC as a full-time student, where he began building the technical foundation that would shape his career. He earned a manufacturing technician certificate in 2016, followed by an associate’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2018 and an associate’s degree in industrial engineering in 2019. He also continued to expand his technical skills through additional training and certifications in programmable controls, automation and robotics, machining, and welding.

While at WGTC, Boye

 also gained valuable hands-on experience through a NASA-sponsored engineering internship program, which led to an internship at Honda Lock in Bremen. The experience gave him an opportunity to apply what he was learning in the classroom to a real-world manufacturing environment. From there, his education and career continued to grow together. He began his manufacturing career at Southwire as a machine operator, operating industrial production equipment

Today, Boye is an Engineering Supervisor at Flowers Baking Company where he leads a team of engineering technicians responsible for maintaining and troubleshooting industrial manufacturing equipment. His responsibilities include technical leadership and training, preventive maintenance, PLCs and automation, electrical and mechanical troubleshooting, equipment installations and commissioning, upgrades, and equipment reliability.

Even after establishing a successful engineering career, Boye continued to pursue his education. In 2022, he returned to school to earn his bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering from Arizona State University. He said he wanted to expand his knowledge of electrical engineering while building on his background in mechanical and industrial engineering. Returning to school nearly a decade after earning his GED gave Boye an opportunity to reflect on just how far that first step had taken him.

“Looking back, earning my GED was much more than obtaining a high school equivalency,” Boye said. “It became the starting point for an educational and professional journey. At the time, I had no idea that decision would eventually lead me to college, engineering technology, industrial automation, and ultimately engineering leadership. A GED does not have to represent the end of your education. It can be the beginning of an entirely different future.”