10 Tips to Graduate Successfully and Find the Career You Envisioned

So often when you enter into a new phase in life – your first full-time job, marriage, the birth of a child, and so on – people are eager to fill your head with advice.

With such an influx of advice, how do you separate the good from the bad? It often comes down to experience and credibility, of course. And, this typically depends on the background of each particular person offering tidbits of wisdom.

In other words, which ones have walked down a path similar to the one you’re about to walk?

For example, you’re not likely to take parenting advice from someone who doesn’t have kids, nor will you likely take work advice from someone who’s unemployed. The best guidance and council you can get will almost always come from someone who, once upon a time, was where you are today.

It’s from this perspective that we offer future and current Florida Career College students the following 10 pieces of advice – tips for successfully completing their career training programs and, ultimately, landing the career they envision for themselves.

This advice comes from five people who have been there and done that. Each are past graduates of Florida Career College (FCC), students who successfully completed their programs of choice while overcoming their own sets of personal and professional challenges.

And today, they all work as part of the FCC team at our Pembroke Pines campus, giving them an even more distinct perspective when it comes to the college, its programs, its resources, and what it takes to succeed in both school and career.

The following sage advice comes to you from HVAC Program Instructor Matthew Shackell, Career Services Specialist Portia Prince, Medical Assisting Program (MAT) Instructor Dimple Reid, Admissions Coordinator Altagracia Saint Hilaire, and MAT Instructor Alexander Campo.

1. Set Realistic Long-Term Goals

“For me, my motto was always to lead by example. My goal was to set realistic goals that would make my entire family and myself proud. That goal was to attend a reputable school and earn my trade certification. Florida Career College was that safe and engaging environment where you can grow your knowledge and skillset. That now opens many doors, even opportunities in other states and countries.”  – Matthew Shackell, HVAC Instructor

2. Block Out Unnecessary Distractions

“Block out all distractions, and remember your results are the product of either personal focus or personal distractions. The choice is yours. You can’t focus on big dreams while being distracted by small things. Just disconnect from negativity and follow all positive goals. My mom always told me to stay away from distractions and focus on my destiny.”  – Portia Prince, Career Services Specialist

3. Treat School like a Job

“Treat school like your job. Arrive on time, keep attire neat, and treat your classmate/coworker with respect.”  – Dimple Reid, Medical Assistant Technician Instructor

4. Set a Series of Daily Goals

“One of my biggest success tips was to set myself a daily goal on how I will performance in my class work. If I needed extra time or to request help for my professor, I always focus on my goal to complete my daily work to find success within my courses.”  – Altagracia Saint Hilaire, Admissions Coordinator

5. Find a Positive Role Model

“Another success tip I would share is the importance on finding a positive role model. It may be the professor or another student that is immersed and engaged with the school curriculum. Have virtual study groups. Sharing ideas and listening to other’s explanation helps soak up the information. Build a connection that will last way after you become certified. Having a strong network base is a resourceful asset [that is] very beneficial.”  – Matthew Shackell, HVAC Instructor

6. Make Classroom Connections

“At the beginning of my class, I was very shy and was not looking for any friends. However, over the time I learned that to be successful in class, I had to make partners which I had to work with for everyone to be successful in class. Making friends and partners was a good outcome to improving communication in class, which was wonderful and made the team work even harder.”  – Altagracia Saint Hilaire, Admissions Coordinator

7. Form Study Groups

“Getting to know people who are learning the same things as you creates opportunities to, together, go over confusing class material or prepare for a big test. You can quiz each other, reteach material, and make sure that everyone is on the same page. After all, teaching someone else is the best way to learn. And, you have not only a classmate but now a lifetime friend.”  – Portia Prince, Career Services Specialist

8. Take Advantage of FCC Resources

“Utilize the tools that Florida Career College has to offer. Many students do not realize that there is a team of instructors and staff that care. Do not hesitate to utilize career services, job boards at the school, or other instructors … even if the instructors are in other departments. These services and people provide valuable insights that can help you be successful in school, or anything, if you put your mind to it.”  – Alexander Campo, Medical Assistant Technician Instructor

9. Learn from Instructor Experiences

“Pay attention to all real-life experiences your instructor gives you. It will help you if you are ever to be in similar situations.”  – Dimple Reid, Medical Assistant Technician Instructor

10. Keep Learning after Graduation

“Continuing education is key. There are many industry certifications, bootcamps, and workshops that, once you finish your program at Florida Career College, will provide you with key information and a second look at your resume – for example, CompTIA for IT grads, NCMA or CCMA for medical assistants, SixSigma for business students and grads. These certifications will not only help with your success at Florida Career College, but in your future in whichever field you choose.”   – Alexander Campo, Medical Assistant Technician Instructor