Sasha Poulos came to FSCJ directly from high school, but wasn’t quite sure where the future would take her. She started working in finance and banking while taking classes, leaning on the flexibility FSCJ allowed her so she could balance a career and education. When she learned the College would begin offering bachelor’s degrees, she knew the time was right to further her pursuit.
After earning her B.A.S. in Supervision and Management in 2021, Sasha was able to quickly progress in her career and is now helping people make sound financial decisions and plan for the future as a private banking vice president.
Kelly Aulestia had dreams of working in the medical field and, thanks to scholarship support and the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program at FSCJ, was able to do just that. After completing the Certified Nursing Assistant program, she is now living out her goals and helping patients heal and recover. She is grateful to her professors for working with her, supporting her and helping her succeed. Kelly is well on her way to achieving her next goal: to work toward becoming an RN.
Emmanuel "ET" Thalerand always knew he wanted to work in media, but he wasn't exactly sure where to focus his attention. He came to FSCJ to pursue a Converged Communications Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree (now called Communication and Media), which gave him an overview of the different communication mediums and opportunities in the field.
Through relationships he formed while in college, he was offered a job in radio and worked his way up to where he is now, an on-air radio producer at 1010XL & 92.5 FM.
Salon Owner and Cosmetologist Anais Serrano completed FSCJ's Cosmetology Career Certificate program in 2012. Although she was nervous to step outside her comfort zone, Anais credits dedicated faculty with helping her complete the program. The training, encouragement and hands-on experience she received at FSCJ prepared her for working in busy salons with real-life clients. But she didn't stop there. She has since become a business owner and thanks FSCJ for helping her get to where she is today.
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Following in her mother's footsteps, Ann Walsh came to FSCJ to pursue a career in nursing. She knew her mother enjoyed the profession and, after experiencing certain life changes, was looking for a rewarding job that would allow her to provide for her family.
Close to 30 years later, Ann is now a radiation oncology nurse navigator at Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center. She enjoys guiding and walking alongside her patients in their cancer journey, and credits FSCJ with helping her achieve her goals.
John Salazar knew he wanted to become a respiratory therapist, and
FSCJ's program perfectly fit his needs. The specialized coursework and
community of students gave him a comprehensive experience that inspired
him to not only continue in his pursuit, but to also further the
profession by training future professionals.
John currently serves
as a professor at FSCJ and is also the respiratory care program
director. What he most enjoys is sharing his knowledge and experience with students,
helping them to learn more about the profession he loves.
A Jacksonville native, Chef FeFe has always had a heart for serving others and knew FSCJ's accredited culinary arts program could help her explore her passion for cooking. She's now the owner of a food truck, Ambitious Eats, and a personal chef and has found that her career as a chef is so much more than cooking.
