FSU Panama City will host “Fast to the Future,” a speed career exploration event for students, 1:15-2:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, in the FSU Panama City Holley Academic Center. Students from any major and all prospective college students are welcome.

Fashioned after speed dating, the event will provide students a brief exposure to a variety of career options. Students will network with area industry leaders in nine-minute intervals to learn about the types of careers that stem from different interest areas and the personality traits one might need to work in a specific field.

FSU Panama City Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies Barbara Robinson, who manages the Student Achievement and Advising Center, said the event is a valuable way for students to get a quick overview of how to reach career goals.

“Students come to college because they’re interested in the end result: ‘How am I going to get there?’ ” she said.

Robinson said networking directly with someone in a particular industry is the best source for a student who is focused on his or her future.

“There’s only so much we can do at advising,” she said. “Students can spend five minutes with employers and get first-hand information about what to do in their careers.”

The event is hosted by FSU Panama City, Gulf Coast State College and The Career Center at Florida State. Sponsors include Powell Broadcasting and the Waffle House.

This year's presenters include:

Recreation, Tourism & Events/Non-Profit

• Dr. John Crossley, FSU Panama City, Faculty Member
• Stephanie Martin Lutz, PCB Parks & Recreation, Aquatics and Beach Administration Supervisor
• Cathy VanDeMark, Resort Collection, Recruitment/Training Manager
• Nikki Kelly, Girls Inc., Executive Director

Computer Science, Engineering & Technology

• Robert "Rob" Stone, Professional System Associates, Senior Analyst
• Richard Hurst, Hive Technologies, Senior Quality Control Engineer
• Daniel Prinslow, Jelly Fish, Software Developer
• Sean McNeil, McNeil Caroll, P.E., President/Principal

Health & Wellness

• Cynthia Hoskins, Anchorage Children's Home, Clinical Director
• Brooke Bullard, Anchorage Children's Home, Development Director
• Shayma Salman, Department of Veterans Affairs, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Randal Scott Hamilton, Select Specialty Hospital, Chief Executive Officer
• Elizabeth Austill, Life Management Center of NW Florida, Human Resource & Credentialing Coordinator
• Rebekah Taylor, Life Management Center of NW Florida, Chief Human Resource Officer
• Rusty Gentry, FSU Panama City, Nurse Anesthesia Program Faculty
• Mystique Williams, Sunrise/Bayshore Homes, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
• Tawyna Crider, Positive Behavior Supports Corp., Panhandle Regional Coordinator

Business & Entrepreneurship

• Brenda Distasi, Waffle House, Area People Director
• Misty Lizarralde, Tyndall Federal Credit Union, HR Generalist
• Richard Dodd, ReliantSouth Construction Group LLC, P.E., President
• Jason Morehouse, BB&T, Vice President/Market Leader
• Pamela Kidwell, Business Innovation Center, Executive Director
• Sam Tuno, Gulf World by Dolphin Discovery, Marketing/PR Coordinator
• Adam Burdeshaw, Weblife Inc., Content Developer

Communication & Media

• Eleanor Hypes, The News Herald, HR Director
• Jamie Smith, The News Herald, HR Assistant
• Larry Gordon, Powell Broadcasting, Radio Marketing Executive
• Jerry Brown, WMBB, Evening News Anchor
• Kevin Elliott, Applied Research Associates, Marketing and Communications Coordinator

Education & Teaching

• Kathleen Fontaine, Palm Bay Prep Academy, Principal
• Sharon Michalik, Bay District Schools, HR Director
• Latriva Varnum, Bay District Schools, Instructional Specialist for Student Services

Law & Justice

• Banyon Pelham, FSU Panama City, Instructional Specialist
• Chris Griggs, Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Chief Intelligence Officer
• James Shea Stallings, United States Probation Office, United States Probation Office