‘Fast to the Future’ answers students’ career questions

Where can my degree take me? How do I land my dream job? What does my future look like? These questions and others will be answered during “Fast to the Future,” a speed career exploration event, 1:15-2:15 p.m. March 3 in FSU Panama City’s Holley Rotunda.

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 also will feature a LinkedIn booth, in which students can get professional advice on digital career networking and take a photo for their profiles.

“Fast to the Future” is hosted by FSU Panama City, Gulf Coast State College and The Career Center at Florida State. Students from any major are welcome.

For more information about the event, contact Student Activities Coordinator Casey Lathem at 770-2168 or clathem@pc.fsu.edu.

Presenters scheduled to attend include:

Recreation, Tourism and Events/Non-profits

Dr. John Crossley- Faculty, FSU Panama City
Rebecca Pazik- Talent Acquisition Manager, St. Joe Club and Resort
Bryan Taylor-President/CEO, United Way of Northwest Florida
Christy Smith-Vice President of Human Resources, Resort Collection
Thomas Cox- General Manager  Tidewater Celedon Palazzo, Wyndham Vacation Rentals
Ronda Holley-Area Operations Manager, Wyndham Vacation Rentals
Stephanie Nagle, Education Coordinator, Gulf World Marine Park

Computer Science, Engineering and Technology

Robert “Rob” Stone- Senior Analyst , Professional System Associates
Adam Burdeshaw-Content Developer, Weblife LLC
Matt Fuster-AdWords Account Manager,  Weblife LLC
Thomas King, CISSP-Senior IA Engineer/Manager,  Ausgar Technologies
Beverly Nelson- Lead Developer, Pure Charity.com
Ryan Naylor-Senior Quality Control Engineer,  Hive Technologies
Debbi Dial, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer; Todd Peeples, Vice President of Technology; Ray Robertson, Network Manager; Tyndall Federal Credit Union 

Health and Wellness

Cynthia Hoskins-Clinical Director, Anchorage Children’s Home
Shayma Salman-Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Department of Veteran Affairs
Captain Kievonne King, LCSW- Tyndall AFB
Randal Scott Hamilton- Chief Executive Officer, Select Specialty Hospital
Elizabeth Austill- Human Resource and Credentialing Coordinator, Life Management of NW, FL
Rebekah Taylor- Chief Human Resource Officer, Life Management of NW, FL
Danielle Chukwumah, MD- Psychiatrist with Tyndall AFB
Brian Kradel, MD Anesthesiologist, Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center
Scarlett Hinson-Kradel, DNP, MSN, CRNA, Director of Gooding Institute of Nurse Anesthesia
Mystique Williams-Sunrise/Bayshore Homes, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Tawnya Y. Crider, BCABA, Positive Behavior Supports Corp., Panhandle Regional Coordinator

Business and Entrepreneurship

Obi Chukwumah- Market Director, BB&T
Tracy Rhoades, Human Resources, Waffle House
David Dyell-CEO, G2 Works
Amanda Neves- Mortgage Loan Originator,  Community Bank
Misty Lizarralde- HR Generalist, Tyndall Federal Credit Union
Richard Dodd- P.E., President, ReliantSouth Construction Group LLC
Brian S. Robinson, Area President, BB&T
Heather Russell- Senior Accountant, Carr, Riggs and Ingram

Communication and Media

Ira Rosenblatt- Market Manager, Powell Broadcasting
Melissa Miller-Mid-day personality radio host, WKNK
Craig Duran- Agent, Pelican Real Estate
Sara Backus- Creative Director, Kerigan Marketing Associates
Matt Holbrook, Advertising Sales Manager; and Morten Rvesbech, Digital Sales Manager; The News Herald

Education and Teaching

Kathleen Fontaine- Educator, NewPoint Schools
Karen Beck- Educator, Bay District Schools
Jamie Shepard- Business Consultant, Business Innovation Center
Lisa Adams- Owner, Thrive Partnership, LLC

Social Science Interdisciplinary

Chelsea Snowden- Academic Advisor, FSU Panama City

Law and Justice

Banyon Pelham- Instructional Specialist, FSU Panama City
Maj. Tommy Ford, Bay County Sheriff’s Office