Florida SouthWestern State College Career Services Makes a Difference in Student Futures
Dec 11, 2014
Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) offers many services to students that assist them in achieving their dreams and plans for the future. One of the top priorities of the FSW Career Services department is to prepare students for life after graduation.
Juan Carlos Garcia reflects on the positive experiences he had working with the FSW Career Services which helped him secure his first career position. FSW Career Services was there for him again when he received a promotion into his full-time position at Lee Memorial Health System.
“Juan Carlos is a great success story,” said Lori Thies, Radiology Director at Lee Memorial Health System. “He is an outstanding technologist that is loved by his co-workers and patients. I am very honored that he is on my team.”
Garcia received his Associate in Arts in 1998 from Edison State College, now Florida SouthWestern State College, and returned to earn his Associate in Science as a Radiologic Technologist in 2013. As a student Garcia was referred to Career Services. When he met with Kevin Kennedy, the Career Services Coordinator, he was able to discuss his plans and goals after graduation. They worked on resume writing, creating a portfolio, and preparing for job interviews. As graduation drew closer, Garcia worked with Kennedy on the best way to handle job applications, and tips on key interview skills. One week after graduation, Garcia was employed as a part-time Radiologic Tech. Within months he was promoted to his current position at Lee Memorial Health System as a full-time Radiologic Tech, and has been in this role for over a year.
“Career Services helped me prepare for my career by providing tips that I was able to use leading up to graduation and after,” said Garcia. “Kevin was always available and ready to answer questions and look over my prepared documents. Even after graduation, Career Services was helpful in my promotion by reviewing the tips I had received during my time at FSW.”
Garcia went on to say that “All the faculty and staff at FSW were very helpful. Sometimes due to scheduling conflicts, I could not always meet with my teachers, so I would reach out to Kevin, who was extremely helpful and patient.”
Garcia’s skills and desire for learning have continued after graduation. He recently participated in a financial program with Collier County SWFL Works, and completed it with good grades. His participation was helpful to the organization in determining the success of this program.
Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest and one of the most affordable institutions of higher education. Annually serving more than 22,000 students globally, FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees, and professional certifications. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. FSW will debut its intercollegiate athletics program in the fall 2015.
Last Updated: December 11, 2014
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