Change is a constant in our lives – with job and career changes impacting many of us. As our community’s college, the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, is here to help you manage change and has the programs to match your new direction. 

I recently spoke with Stephen Brelsford, a 2021 information technology graduate and finalist for SCF’s outstanding graduate award. His journey with SCF began long before he was a student, tagging along with his mother to classes as she pursued her nursing degree at the college. 

After graduating from high school locally in 2001, he started classes at Manatee Community College but chose to pursue a full-time job instead: “At the time, I felt like going to college was just what people did after graduating from high school. I hadn’t put much thought into what kind of work I really wanted to do, and I was just going through the motions.”

In recent years, health issues made Stephen realize he had to re-skill and find a career that better suited his new physical limitations: “I did have some credits from my previous time at SCF, and those aligned perfectly with the information technology degree I eventually earned. (IT) is a combination of knowing how things work, and making things work. I’ve had a love for technology since my parents got me an original NES for my fifth birthday. You realize things don’t always work how they should, and solving that puzzle is a lot of fun for me.”

Stephen credits professors Jason Reed and Bill Culver with motivating him in his IT classes and SCF’s Disability Resource Center for helping him manage his health issues and stay on track toward his degree: “I was taking a class with each of them when I got the call for my transplant, and they were both extremely understanding and accommodating. Also, Pat Lakey at the DRC was so helpful each semester in making sure I had everything I needed to be successful in my courses. School is not easy when you are trying to manage a major health issue.”

Stephen’s story has come full circle. He started his experience coming to campus with his mother for her pre-nursing courses, and now he works for SCF as a simulation center technician at the college’s nursing simulation center on the Lakewood Ranch Campus: “It’s really an honor to be able to contribute to the education of our future healthcare workers. Every time I look at them, I see my current and former care team, and I’m reminded of how grateful I am to have them in my corner. I want everyone to be able to feel that sort of comfort when it comes to their health.”

If you are interested in following Stephen’s example, the 26 West Center at SCF is preparing individuals for careers in IT and coding. Financial assistance is available through the Open Door Grant awarded by the state. For more information on these and many more technology focused programs and to see how the Open Door Grant can help you go to http://coding.scf.edu.

His advice sums up his story best: “No matter if you graduated from high school last summer or 20 years ago, put yourself in control of your future, find something you are interested in, and go for it. You will thank yourself later.”

When you make that decision, SCF is here for you.

Dr. Carol Probstfeld is president of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.