February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) month, and St. Petersburg College is celebrating by sharing a few of our CTE college students’ success tales.
Some of the fastest-growing occupations in Florida solely require short-term levels or certifications, which is why CTE packages are integral to SPC’s mission to make sure that our college students are workforce-ready and ready to take the subsequent steps on their educational journey.
More than 500 corporations advise SPC to assist form the faculty’s curriculum to native workforce wants. SPC at present gives greater than 110 packages, together with greater than 30 two-year Associate in Science levels and 60 one-year certificates to get graduates in the workforce, and because of our career-focused packages, virtually 90 p.c of our Associate in Science graduates are employed or proceed their training after commencement. The school additionally gives over 90 short-term coaching alternatives that present people and companies with the talents and certifications to satisfy evolving workforce calls for.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has made it a aim for the state to be the very best within the nation for workforce growth by 2030 via the Get There initiative.
Read our college students’ tales and see how their lives have been modified for the higher by our CTE packages.
Adelle LeCroy
Adelle LeCroy raised 4 youngsters, and when she was down to 2 nonetheless at residence, each younger adults, she determined it was time to do one thing for herself. LeCroy, who had labored in upkeep for years, determined to pursue her Associate in Science diploma in Computer Networking Administration at SPC in 2016.
“I first attended SPC right after I graduated high school, but then I had my daughter and had to give it up,” LeCroy stated. “I’d been working in maintenance for three years, and I just knew there was something else I needed to do. I needed to do something for me.”
LeCroy, who’s at present employed by SPC in Technical Support, earned her Cisco Certified Network Associate Certificate in 2017. She felt so empowered that she determined to go forward and end her AS diploma. She wrapped that up in 2020 and nonetheless needed to go farther.
“I’m hoping to earn my bachelor’s in Technology Development and Management in 2024,” she stated. “The project management element of this degree has helped me so much. I feel more confident and comfortable dealing with faculty and students in my current position. Plus, the job helps me to contextualize what I’m learning in class.”
LeCroy desires to provide again to the faculty. She’s a member of faculty organizations and golf equipment like Women on the Way and their advisory board, as nicely the SPC Foundation’s Scholarship Committee.
“I am reaching for the opportunity of growth and education in my college career,” LeCroy stated. “I chose SPC because, not only was I allowed to learn in ways that I liked, but I was also given a community that supported me and allowed me to become who I am today.”
LeCroy credit her research at SPC as a catalyst to bringing goals to life – goals that she didn’t totally imagine she may obtain.
“My biggest fear was to not be able to gain and maintain a successful career,” she stated. “But I love my work so much, and that’s a lifelong dream for me. It didn’t happen overnight, and I still have a little way to go. I’m not perfect, but I’m so proud of myself.”
Benjamin Harris, Crime Scene Technology
Benjamin Harris, 26, was 95 p.c of the way in which via a hearth academy in Hillsborough County when he discovered he may by no means be a firefighter as a result of he has bronchial asthma. He picked himself up, dusted himself off and scored a job as against the law scene cleanup technician, the place he discovered a calling.
“I always wanted to help people,” Harris stated. “I grew up in foster care, so helping families through rough times feels really rewarding to me.”
After two years as against the law scene cleanup technician, he determined to take the profession to a brand new degree and got here to SPC to check crime scene technology. But not lengthy after beginning this system in January 2021, Harris suffered a stroke that left him wheelchair certain. He sat out that semester, however after months of bodily, occupational and speech therapies, he returned to his research extra decided than ever earlier than.
“I bore down and took four to six classes each semester to try and catch up and graduate on time,” he stated. “My advisor helped me through the initial withdrawal so it wouldn’t affect my GPA, and then got me set up with online schedule when I was ready to come back but was still in a wheelchair.”
Accessibility Services helped with lodging that made faculty potential.
“I had a knee, foot and ankle orthosis, so I couldn’t do stairs, and I needed a special desk and seat. They made sure I had everything I needed.”
Harris graduated in December 2022 and is at present enrolled, taking lessons for a second AS in Digital Forensics and Computer Investigations.
He plans to ultimately open his personal crime scene cleansing enterprise. He is grateful for the assist he obtained in making an attempt to higher himself via training.
“If it wasn’t for that support, I would have dropped out,” Harris stated. Now I really feel like I’m lastly on a profession path.”
Isaiah Chavez, Information Technology
As a younger boy, Isaiah Chavez was at all times tinkering. His mother would procure an outdated pc, and he’d pop it open and marvel on the intricate workings inside. Now 34, Chavez earned his Associate in Science diploma in Networking Technology and Administration at SPC in May 2021, and he understands much more about what he sees inside these machines.
Chavez earned his bachelor’s diploma in radio and tv manufacturing in 2010. In 2019, he was working at a Tampa Bay space tv station as a digicam operator when his firm provided a brand new perk: free school tuition.
“I was like, ‘free education? I can do anything I want!’ My company was hiring for IT positions, so I went that route,” Chavez stated.
After incomes two certificates – Computer Support and Linux Administration – Chavez accomplished his internship at his place of employment and was provided a place instantly, which made large adjustments in his life – together with greater than doubling his wage.
“This degree has given me the opportunity to pay off my home faster, save money and live and have fun without the pressure of having to make ends meet,” he stated. “Plus, my new career is just easier and more fun.”
Chavez stated he selected a quick monitor and took solely 8-week session lessons at SPC. He stated the lessons have been difficult sufficient, however when compressed into half the time of regular semester, life takes some planning.
“The 8-week sessions set me on a fast track to success,” he stated. “It was fun, but I had to plan my time wisely. But if I can do it while working two jobs, I think just about anyone can do it.”
Now firmly established in his new place and hoping for a promotion within the close to future, Chavez emphasizes the impression of a good internship experience.
“The internship taught me so many things,” he stated. “I learned a lot about the basics of an IT job. If you do a good job at your internship, it will help you immensely.”
Chavez stated he would encourage anybody to proceed their training.
“It could take a little while but keep going. There is a light, and you can reach it.”
Steven Gould, Hospitality and Tourism Management
Growing up, Steven Gould noticed himself on monitor to change into an lawyer, however after attending a highschool magnet program centered on legal justice, he realized that he didn’t actually need that profession sufficient to dedicate himself to a decade of research. When he determined to attend SPC to get his core curriculum completed earlier than transferring to a college, he didn’t look forward to finding his life’s calling there.
“I didn’t know what I wanted to do,” Gould stated. “My friend worked at a local hotel, and it seemed like it might be fun, so I decided on SPC’s Hospitality and Tourism Management program.”
Gould earned Food and Beverage certificates, in addition to a Rooms Division certificates. While in this system, he wanted an internship. One of his classmates owned a journey company, and she or he provided him an internship at her enterprise.
“At first, I didn’t take that career field seriously, but once I got my feet wet in the business, I loved it,” he stated. “It was one of those things that opened me up to a different world. I wouldn’t be where I am today if not for that internship.”
Gould credit caring professors and counselors in his program for providing him assist, each academically and financially.
“Dr. Robert Meyer, who at the time was the director of the program then, had so many contacts, and he helped me get scholarships. And the Food and Beverage and Rooms Division certificates I earned, though I don’t work directly in those areas, really rounded me out so that I could learn different segments of the industry and understand all the jobs.”
After incomes his affiliate diploma at SPC in 2010, Gould opened his personal company, Gould’s Travel. He additionally continued his training, and thru one in every of SPC’s University Partnership Center, he accomplished a bachelor’s diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Upper Division at Florida International University, and later a grasp’s diploma in Public Administration. In addition to proudly owning Gould’s Travel, he’s co-owner of a luxurious journey company, Luxera, and likewise dabbles in actual property and e-commerce. He additionally serves on SPC’s Hospitality Advisory Committee as a result of he believes others can succeed, similar to he did.
“There are so many facets to a hospitality degree. It isn’t just the hotel world, there’s travel, supplies and food service. And though travel agents are kind of like realtors – there are a lot of us – the job isn’t going anywhere because there is such a need.”
To study extra concerning the completely different CTE levels and certificates that SPC gives, please go to stpe.co/WorkforceEd.