beyond traditional aerospace roles. “Welders, for example, are needed in all sorts of different industries, including on our Space Coast,” Dr. Lorenz notes.The college’s new job growth grant specifically targets these middle-skills positions.“Not everybody is a rocket scientist. Some people need to build the rockets, weld the rockets, refurbish the SpaceX Falcons when they come back.” IT represents another growth frontier. Orlando’s metropolitan area has set an ambitious goal to become the next Silicon Valley, driving demand across multiple specialties. “That’s everything from game design to cybersecurity, network security,” Dr. Lorenz explains.“We are trying to keep up with that growth and contribute to the regional strategy.” Healthcare needs remain insatiable. Dr. Ovueraye confirms the ongoing shortage: “There seems to be a never-ending need for nurses, respiratory therapists, and health information technology.” The college maintains partnerships with AdventHealth, Orlando Health, and HCA Healthcare, ensuring students gain clinical experience while still enrolled. These relationships prove essential as Florida’s population continues its rapid expansion. 94% PLACEMENT SUCCESS Students at Seminole State don’t wait until graduation to enter the workforce. By their second semester, healthcare students work in hospitals. Education majors log classroom hours from day one. This early immersion drives placement rates that would make any institution envious. “Students who enroll at Seminole State College are very fortunate. Our placement rates are very high. On average, it’s about 94%,” says Dr. Ovueraye. “The lowest is in the seventies, and that is not even consistent. It changes every year.” Some programs achieve perfect outcomes.“In our workforce programs, they’re typically 100%, especially the health sciences. They get 100% placement because we work really closely with our healthcare partners.” The secret lies in deep industry integration. Healthcare faculty often work simultaneously at partner hospitals, creating seamless connections between classroom and clinic. “Our faculty are also the employees of said healthcare systems,” Dr. Ovueraye explains. “It’s not just one healthcare system. We work with several in our community.” Timing of workplace exposure varies by field but starts early. “For the healthcare, they get in by the second semester,” says Dr. Ovueraye. “The first semester, if you want to call it spot checking, they have an opportunity to visit. But they’re really in clinicals and rotations as they get more experience.” 4 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07
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