Commencement is here, and there is much to celebrate! Year after year, more students cross that stage and more people fill the seats to cheer them on. We have more than 300 students graduating this semester, the largest graduating class we have seen in recent years. To celebrate each graduate and their achievements, we are excited to share that there will be two commencement ceremonies.
In just two weeks, Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) students will cross the stage and receive the diplomas they have worked so hard to earn. Each has their own unique journey that brought them to this moment, and over the next few weeks we will be sharing a few of those stories.
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A Student’s Journey to Finding His Career Path at SFCC
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After graduating from high school, Brandon knew he wanted to pursue higher education and he knew exactly where to go. From talking with people in the community, he had heard that SFCC offered degrees that could lead directly into in-demand careers with high earning potential. He enrolled in the HVAC and Plumbing program and got started right away.
Brandon felt at home in his classes from the beginning. His instructors were knowledgeable and brought their real experience with them every day.
He shares, “one of my instructors has been working in the HVAC and plumbing for 20 years or more and, right now, is working and coming to teach us.”
The instructors who have worked in the field and dedicate their time to helping students get ahead have made a difference for Brandon. Their passion for the work is something students can see and feel in the classroom every day.
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A few months into the program, Brandon learned of an opening at a local HVAC and plumbing company. With help from his instructors and director of the program, he was able to get hired.
“They got me in contact with the company and I got an interview right away,” he says. “I got hired full-time and as of now, have been working for five months.”
He has been gaining hands-on experience in a job that he is passionate about before even finishing his degree. Looking back, he says the support and resources available to him made all the difference.
SFCC has many programs like this, ones that give students a clear path toward a meaningful career. Students gain the hands-on training and real skills they need to be successful in their field. Brandon is one of the many graduates who are stepping into their next chapter excited, and ready to put their newly learned skills to work.
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With the generosity from donors, students are able to reach new heights because of the financial support they receive. Each contribution ensures that students do not have to face challenges alone and gives them a reminder of the community behind them, cheering them on.
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Kelly A. Marquez, MBA
Executive Director
kelly.marquez1@sfcc.edu
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