JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Florida State College of Jacksonville held its commencement Thursday.
As graduates walk across the stage to get their degrees, many expect to enter their new careers.
Recommended Videos
Ronniciea Saunders, who graduated with her associate in dental hygiene, said she is still in the interview process.
“I honestly, I love teeth. I’ve always been fascinated with going to the dentist. So I decided to just get into hygiene, and hopefully, one day become a dentist,” Saunders said.
MORE | Manta Ray beats other aquatic options as FSCJ’s newest mascot
She said she is currently interviewing with three dental offices.
“I think dental hygiene is so needed in Florida right now that it is pretty, we’re in a good field to find a job,” Saunders said.
VIDEO: Positively Jax: Local 12-year-old graduating from FSCJ
The Bureau of Labor Statistics says employers added 175,000 jobs in April with gains in the healthcare and retail fields. The National Association of Colleges and Employers said 17.4% of employers plans to decrease hiring, which means projections are down nearly 6% from last year.
Adriana Higgs graduated with her biomedical degree. She shared plans to stay home with her daughter, Genevieve, for a few months before jumping into the job market.
“My dream job? Honestly, getting a doctorate and being a professor, and being able to teach specifically something in plant science or microbiology,” Higgs said.
RECENT GRAD? TELL US: Now that you’ve crossed the stage, what are 3 of your expectations for the job market?
While the job market might be difficult for some, Saunders says it’s important to keep going.
“Sometimes you may think that you can’t do it but I promise you can do it. Hygiene school was crazy, and it was hard, but I graduated,” Saunders said.
For Higgs, accomplishing her goal of getting her degree with her family cheering her on made everything worthwhile.
“It’s been a long road. And I’m really glad that I’m here. And she’s also here to experience this with me,” Higgs said. “Everybody’s really happy.”
Tatiana Parker, who is also a mother, graduated with her associate in surgical technology and already had a job lined up.
“I have accepted an offer at a hospital. So, I’ll be working there as a surgical tech,” Parker said.